NHL Indigenous Alumni visit First Nations school, take on Canadiens Indigenous Alumni

Prior to their game on Saturday, alumni players visited Kihew Asiniy Education Center and Tus-Tuk-EE-Skaws High School sharing their stories and why it is important to stay in school. 

The National Hockey League Indigenous Alumni team is led by John Chabot, a former NHL player and assistant coach. His goal being to travel around to schools sharing important messages and obstacles that other players and himself had to overcome. 

“I think it’s huge to hear stories and connect with the students. Growing up, I remember presentations in school that still stick out for me. I think that’s the goal, to encourage Indigenous youth to reach for the stars and raise that bar of expectation. Just being proud to be Indigenous and represent our nation,” said Devin Buffalo, former ECHL hockey player, and one of the speakers present.

Speakers Jamie Lee Rattray and Jamie Leach talked about their careers and milestones as hockey players, but also the obstacles they needed to overcome to succeed. The main topic was how important receiving an education and staying in school is. 

“It was incredible the messages they had to share and just how appropriate they were, messages on how they got to where they are and using hockey as a stepping stone to education. Yet being realistic of the challenges they faced,” said Armand Cardinal, Board Member of the St. Paul Canadiens Alumni Foundation.

Followed after the assembly, students and the Indigenous alumni team had a chance to play ball hockey, basketball, and volleyball with the students to end the day and be able to talk one on one. 

“The more experience we can share, the more that you need education to move further in life with anything you do… To be able to play games with the kids afterwards, that’s when they let their guard down and they are smiling and having fun,” said Jamie Leach, two-time Stanley Cup champion. 

 

NHL Indigenous Alumni and St. Paul Canadiens Indigenous Alumni hit the ice

 

 

The Clancy Richard Arena was filled Saturday night to watch the St. Paul Canadiens Indigenous Alumni take on the NHL Indigenous Alumni, resulting in a 13-1 win for the Indigenous Alumni. 

But the game was not about the score, it was about coming together.

“It was pretty cool to see everyone come together like that for hockey and have a good time, that’s what it is all about,” said Lucas Martin, a St. Paul Canadiens Jr. B player. 

The NHL Indigenous Alumni also welcomed to the team Indigenous Olympic winners from Canadian and US National women’s teams. Abby Roque, Team USA Silver Medal Winner from the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Jocelyne Larocque, Team Canada Silver Medal Winner 2018 Winter Olympics. And Jamie Lee Rattray and Victoria Bach, Team Canada Gold Medal Winners 2022 Beijing Olympics.

 

“It was special to have our community host such a big event, and even more awesome to watch those players from far out, Olympians, and especially retired NHL players. Overall a lucky experience, I am happy everyone came out to support the Indigenous community,” said Jarett Boulianne, a St. Paul Canadiens Jr. B player. 

Despite quite a score difference, both teams were enjoying their time on the ice, giving their all, and the positive energy remained.

“We enjoy the pace and wanna come out there and have some fun and put on a show for everyone,” said Jamie Leach, former NHL hockey player.