My Hockey Day in Canada experience

We had food and drinks in a giant tent on Ship Point. There were stories and then the players’ draft. I was drafted to Team Tucker by Darcy Tucker and Cassie Campbell-Pascall. It was incredible to meet everyone and get a close look at the Stanley Cup. I met Lanny McDonald there, and it was an honour to be in the presence of hockey royalty.

Ron MacLean from Hockey Night in Canada invited young local Aboriginal hockey players to speak about their stories as he highlighted ISPARC (Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council) Team BC members: Victoria Cougars player Ben Brant, Victoria Royals defenceman and Arizona Coyotes draft pick Justin Kipkie, and myself.

It was inspiring to take pictures with the children gathered and share my path and hopes with them. It was a special visit because in addition to my membership in the Snuneymuwx First Nation I also have ties to the Songhees Nation.

Held at the Victoria Conference Centre, the Gala was attended by 800 people, all associated with the weekend: players, dignitaries, and fans. I was honoured to be invited by BC Minister of Tourism Lana Popham. My father and I joined her at her table and sat back to soak up three hours of hockey lore and entertainment. Former NHL star Geoff Courtnall told a story about how tough Wendel Clark was: “When we were playing together, we got into a fight with two other players. The player I was fighting was huge and was picking me up off the ground by a foot. Wendel was beating the player beside me and looked over and said to my guy, ‘Let him go, or you’re next. The player immediately let me go…’” That is how tough Wendel Clark was.

The White Team (my team) beat the Red Team 7-5 after four periods of hockey. I shared the net with Randy Collens from CFB Esquimalt. I was scored on by Andrew Ference (former NHL defenceman and current Shawnigan hockey coach) and Kevin Bieska (former NHL defenceman and current Hockey Night in Canada commentator) — not sure how I feel about getting scored on, but it was an honour to share the ice with them.

I joined the alumni at ship point for an interview with Ron MacLean. We arrived at the site at approximately 10 a.m. and joined Brian Burke, Cassie Campbell-Pascall and Darcy Tucker for coffee and muffins. After that, my father and I wandered the celebration soaking up the atmosphere of the celebration. Hockey is more than a sport here, it is a part of who we are, and it was an honor to be a part of it.