Truro News

Gold is the goal

Brookfield goalie to represent Canada for a second time

- JOEY SMITH TRURO NEWS

Brook eld goalie Brent Walters will don the Maple Leaf for a second time and represent Canada at the internatio­nal level.

BROOKFIELD, N.S. – Days of being nervous before a big hockey game are few and far between for hearing impaired goaltender Brent Walters.

The 20-year-old has learned over the years the importance being mentally strong – staying calm in the crease, having control of the game and establishi­ng confidence in teammates.

“I try not to be nervous because if you get nervous your mind might mess up, so you should go out there, have fun, play hard and stay focused,” he said.

Wise words from Walters, who is preparing to represent his country for a second time at an internatio­nal tournament. The Brookfield resident will man the pipes for Canada at the 2019 Winter Deaflympic­s in Italy in December.

“It will be a good experience going there,” he said.

Walters played for his country at the world deaf hockey championsh­ip in 2017 in Buffalo, N.Y., settling for a silver medal after losing the goldmedal game to the United States. Walters said Canada is looking to atone for that loss.

“I remember playing against them; I wanted to beat them so bad,” he said, adding this year’s roster is similar to the 2017 team, but with a few new players. “Hopefully we can bring home gold.”

Walters made the Canadian team after attending a weeklong tryout camp in Regina this summer. Team Canada coach Mike Merriman said there’s a lot to like about the young goaltender.

“I like his experience; experience means a lot,” said Merriman. “I like his demeanour off the ice, I like his character because that just makes you a better player when you’re on the ice – you can’t separate the two.

“On the ice, he tracks the puck well, he plays the angles well and he’s not afraid in terms of the battles in close; he’s on top of the puck as well.”

Walters said his selection to the national squad has sparked interest from family and friends, who joked they wouldn’t mind tagging along for the trip.

“My cousin said it’s exciting, and I told some of my friends, and they were like, ‘yeah, I wanna come too,’ and I said, ‘no you’re not,’ so they all wanna come with me, I guess,” he laughed.

Walters wears a hearing aid, however, hearing devices are not allowed at the Deaflympic­s. He said that presents a challenge in the fact that it’s difficult to communicat­e with teammates.

Brent and his brother Glen Ryan have spent countless hours playing hockey together over the years. Glen Ryan is Brent’s biggest fan and said he’s proud to watch his younger brother get the opportunit­y to represent his country for a second time.

“It’s crazy; I’m so excited for him. He’s worked so hard for it.”

Walters played minor hockey in Brookfield and Truro. He then played junior B in East Hants, and last season joined the Valley Jr. A Wildcats as a backup. This season, he plans to return to East Hants.

 ??  ??
 ?? FILE ?? Brent Walters played a backup role with the Valley Wildcats of the Maritime Junior Hockey League last season. This fall he plans to suit up for the East Hants Penguins in the Nova Scotia junior B ranks, while in December he will travel to Italy as a member of Team Canada for the Winter Deaflympic­s.
FILE Brent Walters played a backup role with the Valley Wildcats of the Maritime Junior Hockey League last season. This fall he plans to suit up for the East Hants Penguins in the Nova Scotia junior B ranks, while in December he will travel to Italy as a member of Team Canada for the Winter Deaflympic­s.
 ??  ?? Walters
Walters

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada