Kevin Kaminski, a Calgary massage therapist and father of two, is considered one of the leaders on the Canadian goalball team which looks to get itself back in the international picture at the 2004 Paralympic Games later this month in Athens.

 Without Kaminski, Canada's goalball squad struggled in Sydney finishing 10th after a spectacular silver medal performance in 1996 at the Atlanta Games. Kaminski was part of the team that was a controversial fifth in 1992 (when the eligibility of players with higher-finishing Egypt and U.S. were questioned), and sixth in 1988.

 Kaminski has been totally blind since age 17, while most of his teammates have severe visual impairments. All, however, as per rules of the game, wear dark goggles to prevent vision from becoming any advantage.

 Kaminski, who began losing his sight at age 14 due to optic nerve atrophy, ended up marrying his high school sweetheart. Now Patty, as well as their two daughters, will be on the sidelines at the 2004 Paralympics.

 "I didn't find it as difficult as people might think it was," he says of adjusting to life without sight. "I come from a very stable, loving family. I had a great group of core friends and I met my wife as I was going through that process."

 Family and education commitments forced him to leave the national goal ball team for several years. But there was no doubting his love for the sport once introduced to it in the 1980s.

 "I immediately realized it had the elements I liked about hockey," he says, referring to the team concept, camaraderie and skill development he enjoyed while playing hockey as a teenager.

 After 1992, he continued to play goalball within Canada, but was eager to come back to pursue ever-elusive international success. He credits a strong coaching staff, and a hard-working, dedicated group of teammates as part of the appeal.

 In Athens, teams from each of two six-team divisions will reach the playoff round, and to do so Kaminski says wins over the U.S. and Greece are essential. World-ranked Denmark and Sweden, and Germany, may be tougher foes in their division. Kaminski is a back-up centre, who also plays left and right wing.

 Whatever the team's Paralympic result, he concludes: "I realize what a privilege it is (to go). I can't believe I've got one more chance, and I'm really savouring the opportunity."