What a difference a few years has made for former Flin Flon Bomber Devin Buffalo.
The Dartmouth goaltender went from not playing in any games in his first season to being nominated for two of college hockey’s biggest awards in his final campaign. The 23-year-old goalie was nominated for both this year’s Hobey Baker Award for the NCAA’s top hockey player and the Hockey Humanitarian Award, which is presented to college hockey’s top citizen.
“It is truly an honour and very humbling to be considered for an award that I’ve heard about since I was a kid,” Buffalo said. “Coming from Canada, the NCAA is a rather foreign idea, but everyone knows what the Hobey Baker award is. I am humbled to be part of the list that includes many talented players from across the country. Both award nominations came as a surprise, and I am feeling all the support coming from family and friends back in Canada.”
Big Green head hockey coach Bob Gaudet is extremely proud of Buffalo, a government major who will graduate this spring.
“Devin has worked incredibly hard both academically and athletically during his four years at Dartmouth,” the head coach said. “He is as focused and determined a student-athlete as I have had the pleasure to work with during my thirty years as a Division I coach. Devin competes every practice and game in an effort to maximize his potential. He is an inspirational leader on our team who is looked up to and respected by his teammates.”
On the ice, the 6-foot-2, 200-pound Wetaskiwin product is enjoying a successful senior season. He has a 2.84 goals against average with a .900 save percentage.
“Devin has been the backbone of a young team – helping us to grow into a very solid Div. I team with a chance to win every night,” Gaudet said.
Buffalo gives freely of his time to help causes and organizations he believes in. Some of his work at Dartmouth has involved being part of toy drives and visiting a children’s hospital. Last year he was an event coordinator for ball hockey at the Alberta Indigenous Games and volunteered at both the World Indigenous Games in Alberta and the North American Indigenous Games in Toronto.
“As good an athlete as Devin is, I am particularly proud of all the he has done to be a role model off the ice,” Gaudet said. “His work with the Indigenous Games in North America and back home in Alberta typifies his caring for people and his interest in making a difference in the world.”
Buffalo said it is important for him to give back to his community and indigenous youth.
“One of the reasons I wanted to attend an Ivy League school was to be able to show indigenous youth that it is possible to go to school or play hockey wherever they want,” he said. “I wish to provide the youth a dream, a vision, and a goal. I want these kids to feel like they can accomplish their goals in school and sports. Taking part in these events provides the opportunity for me to personally connect with these kids, and so they can see that I’m just a regular guy.”
Buffalo, who hopes to play pro hockey next season, played from 2011 to 2014 in Flin Flon. At the trade deadline in his final season he was traded to Drumheller.
“Flin Flon will always have a place in my heart, and will always be a main chapter in my career,” Buffalo said. “I am proud to have played in such a great hockey town, and often tell everyone about my time in Flin Flon. [Head coach] Mike Reagan provided me with an opportunity to come in and work towards becoming a starting goalie. I definitely had to prove that I could be the guy, and I am thankful for the relationship Mike and I created over the years. I fell in love with the support from the fans, and enjoyed every minute I was able to step onto that ice.”
