In just his first season with the TMU Bold, Kai Edmonds has established himself as the starting goalie for the men’s hockey team, and one of the top in all of USPORTS.
After placing top five in wins and save percentage (SV%) in the nation, Edmonds was named to Team Canada for the FISU (Fédération Internationale du Sport Universitaire) University Winter Games this past January.
TMU Bold teammate Kyle Bollers joins Edmonds on Team Canada as well, where they helped capture gold and finish undefeated in the tournament.
“Just to be able to have the opportunity to wear the [Team Canada] jersey is obviously one thing, and do it while representing TMU as well, it’s just something I’ve dreamed about obviously playing hockey growing up,” he said. “You watch the world juniors, you watch all these moments with Canada winning. To win gold as well is something I’ll never forget.”
The FISU World University Games is hosted every two years in different cities. The games celebrate international univeristy sports for both winter and summer.
The hockey tournament was played at Lake Placid, which famously hosted the 1980 Winter Olympics when Team USA, comprised of mostly NCAA players, defeated the Soviet Union in the gold medal game. The moment is now known as “the Miracle on Ice.”
Entering the round robin games, Edmonds said he felt comfortable with the team, especially as off-ice bonding translated into on-ice chemistry.
“Our team was very prepared” he said. “I knew how good of a team we had, and felt prepared by the coaching staff going into the tournament.”
After winning gold, it was back to the normal routine of a student athlete. His family were able to watch him play, but celebrations were short.
Along with his academics, Edmonds returns to campus with a renewed focus on playoff aspirations for the Bold.
TMU enters a first-round match-up with its crosstown rivals, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues later this month.
As each game becomes more crucial in the first round three-game series, Edmonds said he will take it one game at a time.
“We just need to stay disclipined and play as a team,” he said.
Edmonds played for the Mississauga Steelheads and Barrie Colts of the OHL during his junior career from 2017 to 2020.
After a stint with the ECHL, he joined in the Bold in the 2022 off-season.
Listen to Kai Edmonds’ full interview:
