Former Flin Flon Bombers goalie Devin Buffalo is enjoying his time on and off the ice at Dartmouth College.
“The best part of competing at Dartmouth is the opportunity to represent the storied program and the community of Dartmouth,” said Buffalo from his New Hampshire-based school. “Dartmouth represents so many genuine things, and as a team we want to represent what Dartmouth is.
“The coaches, staff, trainers, etc., are extremely professional and care about you as an individual. Not only do they want to make you a better player, but care to make you a better person. Also, it is surreal to be able to travel, and represent our great school at the rinks of other Ivy League schools such as Harvard and Yale.”
Now in his second season with the Big Green, Buffalo made his Ivy League debut against Harvard on Oct. 31. In relief duty, he made 12 saves and allowed two goals.
The talented 6-foot-2, 200-pounder is biding his time as Dartmouth’s other two goalies are fourth-year student-athletes.
Off the ice, Buffalo has not yet chosen a major, but he is leaning towards Native American Studies and Government. He said that being a Dartmouth student can be overwhelming but being among some of the best students in the country raises his academic expectations.
“Sometimes living two lives, one in the classroom and one at the hockey rink, can be extremely difficult. It takes time to really learn how to manage and balance the two aspects of being a student-athlete. The academics at Dartmouth is fast paced and, if not careful, I could find myself behind in no time, so staying on top of things is critical. The hockey team has high expectations when it comes to the classroom.”
Buffalo, who is from Wetaskiwin, Alberta, played for the Bombers from 2011 to 2014. He finished out his junior career with the Drumheller Dragons after he was swapped there for the 2014 stretch drive.
“I enjoyed the hockey culture and the history of Flin Flon,” Buffalo said. “I always looked forward to and never took for granted walking through the doors of the Whitney Forum every game night. I believe the people and fans make Flin Flon so special. The fans I met at the games, and around town, and the volunteers working the games, gave me motivation to play well every game. The passion of the town proves that hockey is more than a game. I had amazing billets who provided me a home away from home. Like many former Bombers, I gained a second hometown and I feel welcomed back anytime.”
