Canadian scoring machine Zak Madell puts the brakes on exceptional career

Zak Madell, Canada’s rampaging scorer in wheelchair rugby, announced his retirement on Sunday after a 13-year national team career which included four Paralympic Games.

Known for his blistering speed, deceptive maneuvers, and relentless endurance, Madell consistently derailed his opponents and thrilled fans.

From his international debut, Madell proved to be one of the sport’s greatest.  At the Paralympic Games in Paris last year, his last competition, Madell was still at the top of his game finishing second in scoring with 148 tries (29.6 points per game) and tied for second in steals.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Wheelchair Rugby Canada (@wcrugbycanada)

Despite still dominating the sport at age 31, Madell knew the time had come to close this chapter.

“I felt like I wasn’t as into the game or as passionate as I once had been,’’ he said in a Wheelchair Rugby Canada (WRC) post. ‘’ So I think that’s a good sign that your time is done… It’s time to pass the torch to someone who’s hungry and ready.”

Patrick Côté, Canada’s head coach from 2016 to 2024, said Madell revolutionized the sport.

 “When Zak entered the game, it was much slower,’’ he told WRC. ‘’Players like him raised the physical standard. They made the game evolve.

‘’He is one of the best human beings I’ve met in my life. He has always cared deeply about his teammates and everyone around him. He’s a phenomenal athlete — but an even better person.”

Madell’s value to Team Canada extended far beyond athleticism. He was known as a strong leader on the court, mentoring other athletes with kindness and humility.

“Zak was always interested in doing things as a team,” said teammate Joel Ewert, Madell’s rookie teammate in Paris. “He really encouraged us to take advantage of the opportunity we had to travel, to explore the world, and to do it together. That’s something I’ll always remember.”

Madell also kept his teammates amused with his signature pre-tournament hair and beard styles, along with his collection of funky hats and glasses.

He played numerous sports as a child growing up in Okotoks, Alta. However at age 10 he was rocked by an illness that would change his life forever. He was diagnosed with septic staph infection and doctors were forced to amputate his fingers and legs.

After his recovery, Madell first got involved in Para ice hockey, but he was unable to hold the stick well enough to play at a high level.

Next, he was introduced to wheelchair basketball, which appealed to his competitive nature and his love of speed. Finally, he was recruited to wheelchair rugby in 2011 and experienced a meteoric rise in the sport.

At age 17, he debuted for the Canadian national team at the 2011 Americas Zone qualification tournament and just a year later he was part of Canada’s silver medal winning squad at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

In London, the coaching staff originally intended to give Madell only limited playing time.  But he consistently performed above expectations and handled the pressure of the Paralympics like an established veteran.  He led the team in scoring with 68 tries (13.4 PPG)  and ranked seventh overall.

He was also first overall in scoring at the 2016 Rio Games (34.6 PPG) and second at Tokyo (26.3 PPG)

One of his biggest honours came when he was named Team Canada’s flagbearer of the Closing Ceremony of the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, after leading the team to its first gold medal in 13 years.

Though he’s hanging up his jersey, Madell was quick to thank the many people who helped shape his wheelchair rugby career.

“Thanks to everyone who’s been a part of the journey — family, friends, teammates. I’ve missed birthdays, weddings, the births of kids,’’ Madell said.  ‘’We have to be a little selfish as high-performance athletes. But now I’m looking forward to being more present for those life events”

While a national team member, Madell also earned a Diploma in Architectural Technology from the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. In 2023, he obtained a Talk Master Certification and began working as a keynote speaker.

‘’ I feel like I have a story that is worth sharing,’’ Madell told the Calgary Journal last December.  ‘’It’s a good challenge to kind of get out of my comfort zone. I feel like if we just live comfortably all the time, we’re not really living, we’re just existing.’’

Madell now seems focused on making life better for others as an accessibility advocate in Canada. With his diploma in architectural technology, he hopes to help shape a more inclusive built environment.

“I think that’s part of why I went into architecture,’’ he told WRC.  ‘’I have a passion for that. In Canada we’re very fortunate that the accessibility is far ahead of a lot of other places in the world.

‘’But I still think we have a long way to go, raising awareness and spreading accessibility benefits everybody.’’