Dennis Thiessen retires after a career defined by heart and hard work

Dennis Thiessen, a three-time Paralympic medallist, didn’t grow up imagining he would one day wear the Maple Leaf, see the top of a Paralympic podium, or even compete in wheelchair curling. When he first tried it in 2005, he arrived at the rink with a broom he didn’t need and a pair of curling shoes no one asked him to buy.

“I wasn’t living in the city then, so on my way in I figured I needed to find a curling store and buy a broom,” he said. “My friend looked at me and said, ‘What’s with the broom? I’m the skip.’  Then he handed me a stick instead.”

After throwing a few stones and tinkering with equipment, Thiessen remembers falling in love with the game. He went to Nationals that first year; “We didn’t win a single game,” he said. “We got our butts kicked like you wouldn’t believe. But I didn’t give up; I just thought, ‘I’m going to need a coach.’”

Through his daughter’s curling, Thiessen met Rob Lamb. Lamb didn’t just coach her; he saw potential in Dennis too. He took Thiessen under his wing, pushed him, and believed in him, setting him on a path that led to the Wheelchair Curling Program Director at the time, Wendy Morgan, and eventually, Team Canada.

“I didn’t believe her,” said Thiessen, reflecting on Morgan offering him a spot on Team Canada. “After that, I was on the ice at least four times a week. I’ll never forget that feeling. I had tears in my eyes when I opened that first Team Canada package. It was incredibly special, and it’s a moment that will stay with me forever.”

The Sochi 2014 Winter Games, Thiessen’s first Paralympics, would become one of the defining events of his career. “When we got to Sochi and into our rooms, there was a big suitcase at the foot of each of our beds,” he said. “It was like Christmas—ten times better.”

Thiessen references Sochi as the highlight of his career and the experience he had alongside lifelong teammates and a huge showing of Canadian support in the stands.

The support didn’t stop there. He frequently credits his home coaches, Rob Lamb and Ron Westcott, as well as National Program Head Coach Mick Lizmore, for guiding him and helping advance the sport.

Over his 20-year career, Thiessen not only left a lasting impression in the hearts of Canadian fans but was also a part of many huge changes in the game. From equipment improvements to nuanced strategy and rapidly increasing international competition, the landscape of wheelchair curling continues to evolve.

Although Thiessen will not be competing at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games, he’ll be cheering on each one of Team Canada’s rocks.

“I’m planning to change my clock to Italy time,” he said. “I don’t want to miss a thing. I’ll support them however I can.”

Thiessen’s sacrifice of his sleep schedule is not surprising. He plays such a key role in the heart of Team Canada pride and will continue to do so throughout his retirement.

“Well, basically for the last 20 years, it’s been my life,” said Thiessen. “So, to just walk away from it is not easy.

“My goal right from the beginning was to be modest in what I did and be the best supporter for my teammates I could be. I just wanted to be there for the people that were there for me through the good and the sad, and I want to give a big thank you to my wife, Helene, and my family for all the support I have gotten from them.”

Thiessen competed in his last wheelchair curling game wearing the Maple Leaf at the inaugural Canadian Wheelchair Curling Invitational alongside the Grand Slam of Curling’s AMJ Masters finals at the Western Fair Sports Centre in London, Ont., in September. After the last rock was thrown and Team Canada White secured its bronze medal, the crowd erupted in O Canada! despite the gold-medal able-bodied games taking place on the sheets beside.

It was the perfect send-off for Thiessen, celebrating his deep connection to Team Canada and his lasting impact on wheelchair curling as a symbol of hard work and love for the game.