Sechelt’s Nevan Flay made waves in the Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey Association (SCMHA), and he’s recently stepped up his game and has been chosen as the Delta Ice Hawks’ starting defenceman.
“It felt good when I first got out there,” Nevan said. “It was a good experience. I’m really loving it with the team and everything. They really make me feel welcome.”
Flay is in Grade 12 – which is a third year midget age – but he’s punching above his weight with the Ice Hawks, which is a Junior B team.
“He could be on the midget team this year, but he’s grown beyond us. He’s done really well,” said Brenda Rowe, SCMHA president. “Nevan is a great kid, he’s played with Sunshine Coast Minor Hockey since tykes – so, since the beginning of time. He’s always been a strong player.”
Nevan has been skating since he was three years old, thanks to his mom Anita Flay, a former competitive figure skater.
“She’s taught me a lot,” Nevan said. “I had better core and stance going right into it.”
Rowe spoke very highly of Nevan, saying he does a lot of work helping out younger skaters.
“Nevan goes out and helps out with power skating,” Rowe said. “He’s just a great guy, a lot of the younger kids look up to him. He’s always had a presence on the ice, he’s always been a physical player – which is why junior B is really a good fit for him.”
When asked about his aspirations with hockey, Nevan was modest and said he’s only focused on the next step, which is Junior A.
“We’re playing in Richmond today [Jan. 3] and it’s a showcase with scouts,” Nevan said. “Hopefully I get seen by one of them and they get talking.”
The Delta Ice Hawks are having a great season so far – they have won 23 games and are leading their conference.
