Tupper to carry Pan Am Games flag for Canada

Scott Tupper can anonymously grab a coffee anywhere in the world.

Though he’s played more than 300 games for the national team over 14 years and been captain for eight, has competed at Olympics in Beijing (2008) and Rio (2016) and won medals at three Pan Am Games (2007 gold, 2011 silver, 2015 silver) and is a five-time Pan American all-star, recognition isn’t part of the bargain in field hockey.

At least not in Canada. So it was a bit surprising for him, frankly, to be recognized.

Tupper, a 32-year-old from Vancouver, was named Canada’s flag-bearer for the opening ceremony of the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru. He’ll lead a delegation of 477 athletes and 119 coaches into Estadio Nacional del Peru on Friday.

“It’s a bit of an odd thing, in that it’s an individual distinction, being flag-bearer, but it’s a representation of the success of our team and our program over the course of my career,” said Tupper.

“Though it is nice to get some recognition, it is certainly a team achievement.”

Canada’s squad has a decent shot at winding up in the Pan Am Games final against Argentina, and that’s where Tupper’s focus is now. But he’s also eyeballing a third Olympics. It could put the cap on a great career.

“I’m a little bit unsure. I don’t really love the idea of putting a time stamp on it. As long as I’m enjoying it and playing well enough to be a contributing member of the team, I’ll keep it open.”

Chances are very good that even after he hangs up his stick, he’ll stay involved in the sport. Tupper coaches at the club, academy and junior national levels.

In 2018, he was appointed to the International Field Hockey Federation’s Athletes’ Committee in recognition of his respect for his sport and his peers.

“I’m a little bit of an admitted field hockey nerd,” he said. “I do really love the sport and I love coaching it.”

He’s played since he was six or seven, and was able to support himself through his 20s by going pro in Germany, Belgium and Holland.

“As a Canadian who has gone over there, you’re taking the spot of someone in that club’s youth system or maybe a local player. You have to show your value and you have a little extra pressure. That’s good. It hardens you as a player. In the end it becomes a good thing for Canada.

“We get players who spend their time there and come back a stronger player because of it.”