North Stars forward, Matthew Henry and AAA Stars' Kobie Anderson (#7), Dayne Henry (#19), Treycen Wuttunee (#10) and Easton Adrian (#27) are among those from the local Battlefords teams to be named to this year's national tournament. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

National Tournament

Battlefords see eight named to 2022 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships

Mar 26, 2022 | 2:00 PM

Seven Battlefords AAA Stars and one North Star headline the 24-man roster named to represent Team Saskatchewan for the 2022 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

Forward Matthew Henry of the North Stars is joined by AAA Stars forwards Kobie Anderson, Ayden Belanger, Rylan Williams, and Treycen Wuttunee, and defencemen Easton Adrian, Dayne Henry and Easton Debray who will also represent the community on the national stage May 7-14 in Membertou, Nova Scotia.

Featuring top aboriginal players from across the province born between the years 2004 and 2006, Matthew Henry is one of seven players on the roster from the SJHL, while the AAA Stars make up seven of the 15 from the SMAAAHL, with another two players from other leagues, including the Indigenous Sports Academy and Prairie Junior Hockey League.

Henry said it has been a goal of his for some time to be able to play in the tournament.

POLICING

'Perseverance': Battlefords RCMP commander reflects on 2024 and looks ahead to 2025

1h ago

Support and empathy

Honouring Grief and Tradition: Supporting Indigenous Families with Compassion

4h ago

High Hopes for 2025

After good start, North Stars need to continue success in second half of season

22h ago

“Obviously it’s a great honour to represent your culture as a Métis person and it feels great,” Henry said. “I’ve been going to those tryouts since I was in Bantam and made the team my first year [of U18] but due to COVID wasn’t able to play, and last year too, so it feels really great this year to be able to be a part of it.”

Henry added that being able to share the experience with his younger brother, AAA Stars standout Dayne Henry, just makes the experience sweeter.

“I [last] played with him in a spring hockey tournament a long time ago, but this is completely different,” he said. “This is a big tournament and a lot of people are watching so it’s a special moment for me and my brother and our family and everyone’s really happy for us.”

Dayne Henry echoed the sentiment, saying it’s an opportunity he’s also looking forward to, to don the Saskatchewan jersey and all that comes with it.

“It means a lot to be chosen to be on the team to represent the province and especially the aboriginal side of the province,” he said. “I’m proud to represent my family, my friends, North Battleford, and Prince Albert.”

Kobie Anderson, who has big tournament experience, including a 2019 WHL Cup championship wearing the Team Saskatchewan crest, said having so many teammates make the squad together should only help the team hit the ground running in a short tournament, and be a benefit to the club.

“It’s always great to have those familiar faces around, and I think it’s only going to bring the team closer in the long run for us,” Anderson said. “Obviously it’s a great opportunity for me and some of the other guys from the Battlefords to really get a chance to show ourselves out there.”

Treycen Wuttunee said he can’t wait.

“It’s super exciting; I’m really honoured to be able to represent my province, my community and my First Nation as well,” Wuttunee said. “It’s really exciting to be able to go there and I think it’s just going to be an awesome experience.”

“We all knew we were trying out, so we really wanted to all make it so we could go together,” Wuttunee added. “It’ll be awesome to have people there that we know and are comfortable with going in, and just can’t wait to get it started.”

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1