P.A.’s Flodell helps Canada capture gold at Deaf Hockey Series

By Nolan Kowal

Prince Albert’s Nathan Flodell is riding high after winning a gold medal with Team Canada at the 2024 Jeff Sauer International Deaf Hockey Series in Buffalo.

Canada beat the United States 5-4 in the gold-medal game on Sunday, with Flodell scoring what stood up as the game-winning goal.

“The tournament went really well for my team,” Flodell said in an email. “It means a lot to me, (helping) Canada to win gold for (the) first time in 21 years. My dream since I was a kid (was) to win gold in (a) Canadian maple leaf jersey.”

Flodell had stints at the junior A level with the MJHL’s Portage Terriers and SJHL’s Flin Flon Bombers.

In Buffalo, Canada beat Finland 6-2 before dispatching Czechia 10-1. The Canadians then beat the U.S. 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 dad Mike, who followed most of the tournament online. “I couldn’t be happier for him.

“You could tell by the look on the players’ faces that it was something they had all worked towards for a long time.”

Flodell has returned to Brandon, Man., where he’s enrolled at Assiniboine Community College. He’ll continue to play hockey in that area next season.

“The next thing in my hockey journey would be to play senior hockey next season with (the) Boissevain Borderkings and then in 2025 attend the Deaf World Championships in Vancouver,” he said.

“I’m already looking forward to it!”