Despite a busy hockey schedule this week, Saskatchewan's U18 men's hockey team still found some time to explore Nova Scotia Thursday, after earning a bye to the semis with their strong round robin play. (Submitted photos/Jenni Wuttunee)

By Martin Martinson

4-0 through Round Robin

Team Sask. making most of experience at National Aboriginal Hockey Championships

May 12, 2022 | 3:56 PM

Sitting on a beach-side rock overlooking the ocean waves; that’s where North Stars forward, Matthew Henry found himself Thursday, seaside in beautiful Membertou, Nova Scotia.

It’s a rare off-day for Henry and his Team Saskatchewan teammates this week at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, which began May 7, and will wrap up this weekend.

With a tournament-best 4-0 record through round robin play, Team Sask. opened their week with back-to-back wins Monday, 8-5 over Team North and 4-2 over Quebec, continuing their roll with a convincing 6-3 victory over Team Ontario and 6-0 win over Team B.C. in the two days to follow, to receive a first round bye, to the semifinals.

Now, as the team awaits the start of the playoff rounds Friday, the players have had a chance to relax a bit and enjoy the experience outside the rink.

“It’s a pretty nice view,” Henry, a Prince Albert product said, taking in the ocean air. “I’d never even gone past Manitoba, so it’s been a pretty cool experience just to be here and see all these things… and I had the best fish and chips of my life,” he laughed.

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From team meals and exploring the sights, to watching other team’s games and movies in the hotel room in the evening, as the week has progressed Saskatchewan’s cohesiveness off the ice has only helped their effectiveness on it.

“Our first game I’d say was a little rough as passes weren’t always on the tape, but as we go along I’d say we’ve gelled a lot,” AAA Stars defenceman, Easton Debray said. “We’re making passes now a lot better and it’s made for just a lot smoother game, so we’ve really come together.”

In addition to the large Battlefords contingent on the team, with eight players between the North Stars and AAA Stars programs, there has also been a chance to connect with players from other communities across the province, with seven more from the Sask. AAA league, six more from the SJHL and two more from other U18 leagues in the province.

“We’ve all played against each other and knew of each other, but just playing with the other guys, it’s really brought us together,” Debray said. “The chemistry’s been there, so I’d say we’re a pretty tight group even though we’ve just been together for a one week tournament.”

Henry and Debray are joined on Team Sask. by fellow Battlefords standouts, Kobie Anderson, Ayden Belanger, Rylan Williams, Treycen Wuttunee, Easton Adrian, and Dayne Henry.

Team Saskatchewan will return to play Friday morning at 11 a.m. Sask. time against Quebec’s Team Eastern Door and the North in the semifinals. The live stream of the game will be available here.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1