Winnipeg will be hosting the 2018 Canada Deaf Games this week.

As the world watches the games in South Korea, another group of athletes will make their way to Winnipeg to compete in basketball, bowling, hockey, curling and volleyball. The biggest difference is that all of the players in Winnipeg will be here with the Canadian Deaf Sports Association.

Sheldon Dueck is one of the athletes competing in the Games and believes it's an incredible opportunity for those in the deaf community.

"They give the ability to these individuals to try and compete at the highest level," Dueck said.

Dueck will be playing hockey. He says that in standard hockey leagues, having to take out your hearing aids is a major disadvantage but in deaf hockey, everyone has to take them out, which levels the playing field.

"It builds that awareness to the community as well," Dueck stated. "We have different views on what the deaf community is, this is a great opportunity to see up close and personal how close-knit that deaf community is."

This will be the first time Dueck has been to the games, but he was a part of a hockey championship for the deaf since 1998.

44 athletes will be competing for Manitoba between Wednesday, February 21 and Saturday, February 24.

Dueck says one of the biggest draws will be the inclusion of family members of Jim Kyte's family. Kyte, the only deaf player in NHL history, was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in 1982.