After missing out on last year’s tournament, Alberta will return to the Vancouver Invitational with their A1 phenom, Zak Madell. Taking time away from the San Diego Sharp Edge, Madell is inarguably the best high-point Canadian player and was the primary offensive producer for the Canadian national team at the London and Rio Paralympics.

While Zak Madell is the sole  representative with Paralympic experience, he’ll be alongside Branden Troutman, a highly touted prospect who carries the same wheelchair basketball background. Troutman will likely be pushing for a national team trip to Tokyo for the Paralympics in 2020. He had an impressive first season with Team Canada, and continues to improve.

Fellow Roughnecks player Denolm Stephens, will be expected to add some youth to their lineup, 2017 Canadian All-Star Rob McIssac will be depended on for strong defense and smart picks/screens.

The Roughnecks are Alberta’s provincial A team. Alberta has a growing wheelchair rugby community, and its been suspected that Red Deer will soon get a regional club. This is a strong group of players, and will have high expectations coming into this  tournament.

Alberta’s B Team, the Bighorns are also competing and will be led by Paralympic medalist Allan Chartrand (who also played in BC for a couple years).

Bonus video: Check out Zak talking about the Vancouver Invitational with recent BCWSA communications hire, Nathan Bragg.