Photo: Yan Huckendubler

200th International Cap for Wayne Fernandes

March 3, 2010

Delhi, India – In the World Cup match against Germany, Wayne FERNANDES earned his 200th International Cap for Canada, an exceptional milestone that places him amongst the ten most capped Canadian players.

Wayne first played for the National Team against Pakistan, when they stopped in Vancouver in July 1996 on their way to the Olympic Games in Atlanta. With a strong team already established, he only played episodically until after the 2000 Olympic Games, then became a regular on the roster and did not miss any competition since, playing in the 2008 Olympic Games, 2003 and 2007 Pan American Games, 2004 and 2009 Pan American Cups, 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Wayne worked hard to develop a potent drag flick, becoming one the designated penalty-corner strikers with about 90 goals to his name so far. He also excels on penalty-stroke, most famously scoring the final goal in the penalty-stroke shootout when Canada defeated Argentina at the Pan American Games in Rio to earn their Olympic qualification.

Growing up in Toronto, Wayne played a lot on indoor hockey and turned into an outstanding competitor in this exercise, becoming the mainstay of the Canadian Indoor Team that qualified and performed brilliantly in two Indoor World Cups. The sixth place at the 2003 Indoor World Cup in Leipzig ranks high in his best memories, for the atmosphere in the large venue filled to capacity and for the top Canadian performance.

The other top memories of his international career are winning the Pan American Games in Rio to qualify for the Olympic Games, and of course playing in Beijing on the Olympic stage. 

After playing for two seasons in Spain to improve his game, Wayne is now living in Vancouver to train with the National Team.