Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Staff
Napanee’s Braden Hart will be representing Ontario next week in the 2018 Football Canada Cup in Calgary, Alta.
The 17 year old will suit up as linebacker for the Ontario Pride, which kicks off its tournament on Monday with a meeting against Nova Scotia.
Founded in 1995, the Canada Cup is a showcase of the best high school aged football players from across the country representing their respective provinces with national bragging rights on the line.
This isn’t the first time Hart will have played on the big stage as last December he took part in the International Bowl, which was held at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
“I think it helps, being ready for (team) meetings,” Hart said of having played in a high level tournament prior to the Canada Cup. “Some guys don’t know what’s coming because they’ve only played at the high school level. There’s going to be lots of football (over the next week).”
Team Ontario will play at least three games and ideally more if they reach the medal round.
“It’ll be cool to see the rest of the eight provinces in the tournament there and see how football is around Canada,” Hart said of the tournament. “I’m looking forward to just playing against more people and getting the coaching experience. I find with Team Ontario and getting coached by coaches at the top level, it’s nice to take in all that knowledge.”
He got his start on the gridiron with the Loyalist Mavericks before suiting up for his hometown NDSS Golden Hawks for his junior high school seasons. He attended Football North St. Joe’s in Ottawa for Grade 11 where he had the chance to play in several tournaments in the United States. He’s been playing for the Kingston Grenadiers this summer prior to heading west on Wednesday in advance of the Canada Cup.
Following the Canada Cup he’ll be returning to the navy blue and gold this September to finish his high school career as a Golden Hawk.
“I’m looking forward to graduating there with my friends and playing some football with the guys I’ve been playing with for years,” said Hart.