An exciting opportunity is coming up next month involving a few local athletes. The National Aboriginal Hockey Championships are set for May 5-11 in Grande Prairie, Alberta.
The tournament will feature several players with connections to the area on both the female, and male rosters for Team Saskatchewan. Aside from Jr. Klippers prospect defenseman Jaxon Herchak for the boys' team, the list of names on the girls' roster includes local players in 17-year-old Bree Purcell from Unity, and 16-year-old Kaylee Williams from Kyle.
The final rosters were confirmed in February, leading to the latest addition to the team coming in mid-March. Looking behind the bench, Kerrobert's Tyson Wuttunee was named assistant coach for the team back on March 14.
Wuttunee is eager to get the tournament preparations underway, after work this winter kept him away from the sport he loves.
"I got asked to be the assistant coach, I didn't apply or anything, but was actually pretty excited." he said, as work kept Wuttunee busy until about Christmas. "This came about, and I jumped on it. I am very excited, me and my family, It's kind of a stepping stone for my daughters (in the coming years) to get involved with it as well."
Wuttunee is no stranger to combining the game of hockey with his family background. Back in November, Wuttunee helped organize a special flag raising ceremony in Kerrobert prior to a Western Prairie Thunder AA game. The upcoming games will be another special opportunity to mix heritage with hockey.
"I haven't been involved with this one." said Wuttunee, as the upcoming tournament will see the best U18 players in Canada with an indigenous background squaring off. "They picked up the best out of the province on a Metis, or otherwise indigenous background."
Shifting his focus to the task at hand, Wuttunee talked a bit about the roster for the upcoming games. It's a strong lineup on paper, and Wuttunee can't wait to get to work.
"I know there are four from the AAA (Battlefords) Stars, there are a couple (WHL) draft picks playing in the AAA league. We got a really good team, and I think we have a really good shot — knock on wood — on winning the championship this year." said Wuttunee, referencing Herchak as part of a strong defensive core, and then WHL prospect forwards Raiden Zacharias, Connor Bear, and Owen Nelson as top-end forward talent.
Focused on the boys team, Wuttunee almost had to pull double duty in Grande Prairie with his daughter Berkley attempting to make the female roster as an under-age player.
"As a U15, tried out for the girls team and she was one of the last cuts. I was pretty proud of her."
While Wuttunee was kept away from coaching this year, he wasn't kept off the ice completely. With more free-time available after Christmas Wuttunee got right back into his own program called BNK Hockey, that focuses on mental health along with the game itself.
"Jumped right into it, skills and power skating camps. It just took off. I have been busy every weekend, just got back from the north. Did a couple of camps for Cumberland House, and Stanley Mission. Took my daughter with me where she helped me out on the ice doing demos and stuff." said Wuttunee, who has been busy locally as well. "Did Unity, Eston, been doing all the minor hockey programs around the area."
Helping out in the practice scene is nice, but Wuttunee has to be looking forward to next month's real-deal competition. Wuttunee wouldn't trade his current role in the hockey world for anything.
"It's been awesome, and I wouldn't change a thing for sure."