(Nathan Flodell/Submitted)
Written by Nolan Kowal
Prince Albert's Nathan Flodell is riding high after winning a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2024 Jeff Sawyer International Deaf Hockey Series in Buffalo.
Canada beat the United States 5-4 in the gold medal game on Sunday, with Flodell scoring the game-winning goal.
“The tournament went well for my team,” Flodell said in an email. “Helping Canada win gold for the first time in 21 years means a lot to me. My dream since I was a kid was to win gold in a Canadian Maple Leaf jersey.
Flodell had stints at the Rookie A level with the MJHL's Portage Terriers and the SJHL's Flin Flon Bombers.
In Buffalo, Canada beat Finland 6-2 before defeating the Czechs 10-1. The Canadians then beat the United States 6-2 before defeating the Americans again in the final.
“We couldn't be more proud of him; it was really exciting to watch,” said Nathan's father Mike, who followed most of the tournament online. “I couldn't be happier for him.
“You can see by the look on the players' faces that this is something they have all worked for for a long time.”
Flodell returned to Brandon, Man., where he enrolled at Assiniboine Community College. He will continue to play hockey in that area next season.
“The next thing in my hockey journey is to play senior hockey next season with the (Boissevain Borderkings) and then in 2025 attend the World Deaf Championships in Vancouver,” he said.
“I'm really looking forward to it!”
