Nathan Flodell with the MJHL's Portage Terriers. (Nathan Flodell/Submitted)
Written by Nolan Kowal
Prince Albert will have some representation at the upcoming Jeff Sawyer International Deaf Hockey Series in Buffalo, New York
PA-born Nathan Flodell is a member of Team Canada in the tournament that begins Thursday.
The Canadian men's team will compete against the Czech Republic, Finland and the host United States
This will be Flodell's second time playing for Team Canada after representing his country in 2022.
“I am very excited to be back with the Canadian Men's Deaf Hockey Team and to be able to represent Canada in Buffalo,” Flodell said in an email. “My expectations for the tournament are to help Canada win all of our matches and take home the gold medal for the first time in 20 years.”
Flodell said he started playing hockey at age 4 and previously spent time at the junior level with the MJHL's Portage Terriers and the SJHL's Flin Flon Bombers.
Flodell's parents, Mike and Carla, cannot make it to Buffalo to watch the tournament in person but will follow the tournament closely online.
They said nothing came easy for their son in his hockey career.
“We are extremely proud of Nathan and how he has overcome adversity and such in his life and hockey career,” his parents said in an email. “Despite having similar skills to others, it seemed like he had to excel more to get opportunities.
“We feel that these tournaments are a very good step towards providing inclusion in hockey for people with hearing disabilities. It allows them to play and compete with other athletes who have the same disability and fosters good friendships for life.
Flodell and Team Canada open their tournament Thursday against Finland. The event runs through Sunday and also includes a women's division with Canada and the United States
