Football Canada unveils Men’s National Flag Team
15 athletes to represent Canada at the 2020 IFAF Flag Football World Championships this summer in Denmark
Football Canada is pleased to announce the 15 young men who have been selected represent the country as part of the Men’s National Flag team.
This team will represent Canada at the 2020 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) Flag Football World Championships this summer in Denmark,
After an extensive evaluation process that included last month’s International Bowl as well as the inaugural Canadian Flag Football League (CFFL), this roster is comprised of players from four provinces-Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and Quebec.
“As a staff, we are excited about the team and using what we can do in Denmark,” commented Chad Palmer, Men’s National Flag Team head coach. “This process has been interesting for us.”
It’s been great to select a true National team out of the CFFL process. International Bowl provided an invaluable international experience for our players that would have none otherwise.”
Leading this group full of talent and experience is quarterback Trysten Dyce from Winnipeg, Manitoba. In last summer’s CFFL National Championships, he turned in a stellar performance to win tournament MVP honours. Known as a dynamic playmaker, Dyce will be expected to lead the offensive output for the national team.
In addition to Dyce, three other teammates from the CFFL National Champions Most Wanted will also represent Canada-receiver Cole Burfoot, defensive back Neil Smalley, and receiver Stevie Trinder. All players are from Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Chris Friesen, who hails from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, will anchor the secondary. After the disappointment from being sidelined at the CFFL Championship due to injury, the defensive back bounced back at the 2020 International Bowl. Both players and coaches on the national team will benefit from his previous experience of playing in a pair of IFAF Flag Football Championships.
However, Friesen is not the only athlete on the roster to have worn the maple leaf during international competitions. Defensive backs Julian Barnares from Winnipeg, Manitoba and Mitch Friesen from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan played for Canada at the 2016 IFAF Flag Football World Championships that were held in Miami, Florida.
Centre Serge Pilon from Ottawa, Ontario has proven to be an asset to the National team with his all-round, explosive game, which makes him a dangerous threat on the field as opponents know that he is capable of destroying their game.
On the heels of putting forth a pair of standout performances at the CFFL Central Regionals where his team the Pirhanas won the championship and the 2020 International Bowl, former USPORTS All-Canadian and Ottawa, Ontario receiver Ian Stewart will play in an integral part on offence.
Joining Palmer on the coaching staff are offensive assistant Neil McKernan, defensive assistant Joel Lipinski, and athletic therapist Michelle Keene. Not only is Palmer the head coach but he will also serve as the team’s general manager.
Now that the team has been selected, Palmer says the team will face some logistical challenges in preparing for the World Championship but are fuelled by the motivation to improve upon their recent international performance.
“Over the next few months, we won’t get to have any team activity as all of our players are spread out across four provinces,” the head coach said. “The next time we are all together will be this summer at Nationals before we depart for Worlds.”
2020 Men’s Flag National Team Roster
| SR MEN’S FINAL 15 ROSTER | ||||
| Position | First Name | Last Name | Hometown | Province |
| DB | Evan | Fornwald | Regina | SK |
| DB | Mitch | Friesen | Saskatoon | SK |
| DB | Julian | Barnares | Winnipeg | MB |
| DB | Jeff | Draper | Winnipeg | MB |
| Centre | Serge | Pilon | Vaudreuil | QC |
| RC | Riley | Wilson | Regina | SK |
| RC | Ian | Stuart | Ottawa | ON |
| QB | Drew | Burko | Saskatoon | SK |
| QB | Trysten | Dyce | Winnipeg | MB |
| RC | Cole | Burfoot | Winnipeg | MB |
| DB | Neil | Smalley | Winnipeg | MB |
| RC | Stevie | Trinder | Winnipeg | MB |
| RC | Mitch | Hillis | Saskatoon | SK |
| RC | Mitch | Stevens | Saskatoon | SK |
| DB | Chris | Friesen | Saskatoon | SK |
| STAFF | ||||
| HC/GM | Chad | Palmer | ||
| OFF Assistant | Neil | McKernan | ||
| DEF Assistant | Joel | Lipinski | ||
| AT | Michelle | Keene | ||
