Jean Labonte of Gatineau, Que., will serve as captain of Canada's sledge hockey team for the 2009-10 season, Hockey Canada announced on Wednesday.

The team for disabled athletes is training at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary along with the men's Olympic hockey team orientation camp. Members of the national women's squad were due to arrive for their camp on Wednesday.

"It's the first time we've had all three teams together in the same place," said Labonte. "All three teams are getting a picture taken together — that's never happened.

"It's great for our sport. We get to watch the best players in the world. We watched them skate, see how they prepare. It's a great experience."

Labonte, 40, has been team captain since the 2007-08 season.

Brad Bowden of Orton, Ont., and Greg Westlake of Oakville, Ont., will act as alternate captains this season, which includes two series against the United States and the 2009 world sledge hockey challenge in November.

"It's got great responsibilities but also it's a great privilege," said Labonte, who is looking to compete at his fourth straight Paralympic Games in Vancouver in March, following the Winter Olympics.

Hockey Canada named an 18-man team for the camp. The team will play two series against the United States scheduled for September and October, as well as well as compete in the world sledge hockey challenge in November.

Some time in January, the squad will be cut to the 15 players who will suit up for the Paralympics, where Canada will go in as defending champion after taking gold in Turin, Italy, in 2006.

But the team is coming off a third-place finish at the last world championships, behind the U.S. and Norway.

"We're confident, but not overconfident," said Labonte. "We got a wake-up call at the world championships.

"There's a lot of hard work to be done."

The team will have the added pressure of playing before a home crowd.

"That's an experience you want to live," Labonte said. "The three Paralympics I've been to were amazing, but having it at home will just add to it."

With files from The Canadian Press