TEAM BC BRINGS HOME BRONZE MEDALS FROM
2022 NATIONAL ABORIGINAL HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Duncan, B.C. (May 19, 2022) The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) is pleased to announce that Team BC’s male and female teams each earned bronze medals at the 2022 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC).

The two teams were comprised of the province’s top Indigenous U18 players and faced a highly competitive field at the 2022 NAHC in Membertou, Nova Scotia, from May 7 to May 14, 2022.

“Congratulations to all Team BC players, coaches, and staff for their outstanding performance at the 2022 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. We are very proud of how they represented themselves, their communities, province, and Nations both on-and-off the ice at this prestigious national championship,” said Rick Brant, CEO of I·SPARC.

For the male team, their journey to a bronze medal started with them going 2-2 in the preliminary round losing 6-4 to the North, defeating Eastern Door & North 3-2, shutting out Team Atlantic 5-0, and losing to Saskatchewan 6-0. In the quarter-finals, Team BC found redemption from their tournament opener loss by beating the North 7-5. The win put them in the semi-finals which they lost against Ontario 4-1 (Ontario went on to win the gold medal). In the bronze medal game Team BC defeated Eastern Door & North 5-1. The third-place finish meant back-to-back bronze medals for the squad, who last won bronze at the 2019 NAHC in Whitehorse, Yukon (a tournament was not held the previous two years due to the pandemic).

The female team displayed their depth in the preliminary round with a 3-1 record. They defeated Saskatchewan 5-2, Eastern Door & North 9-1, Atlantic 5-0, and lost 7-1 to Manitoba. They beat Team Atlantic 8-2 in the quarterfinal game and then faced off against the eventual silver medal winners, Team Ontario, which resulted in a 3-2 loss in a hard-fought game. It was a re-match against Saskatchewan in the bronze medal game where Team BC came out on top by a score of 4-1. Team BC goaltender Alexandra Nelson (Snuneymuxm/North Vancouver Impact) was selected as the Most Valuable Goalie of the Tournament.

Team BC – NAHC is a program of the I·SPARC and sanctioned by BC Hockey. The program provides an opportunity for the province’s top U18 male and female Indigenous hockey players to compete at the National Championships. I·SPARC would like to acknowledge the 2022 NAHC Host Committee, its Event Partners, and volunteers for hosting an outstanding event. We would also like to thank all of Team BC’s fans and supporters. Congratulations to Team BC for their outstanding performance at the 2022 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

2022 OFFICIAL TEAM ROSTER

PROVINCE: BC      GENDER: MALE
 # Last Name First Name Home Community Pos 2021/2022 Hockey Club
5 Alain Colton Victoria D Pacific Coast Hockey Academy
14 Andrew Nathan Ktunaxa Nation F Northern Alberta Tomahawks
22 Bennett Tyler Cranbrook C East Kootenay Avalanche
20 Blace Wyatt Squamish Nation F Pacific Coast Hockey Academy
16 Dickie Peyton Fort Nelson First Nations F Okanagan Hockey Academy
8 Dumont Wyatt Campbell River D Campbell River Storm
10 Flett Seth Sucker Creek First Nation C Okanagan Hockey Academy
1 Garbitt Landon Horse Lake First Nation G Okanagan Hockey Academy
11 Jameson Rayne Upper Similkameen F Delta Hockey Academy
21 Kirkness Ezekiel Tataskweyak Cree Nation F West Vancouver Hockey Academy
9 Lige Kieran Lax Kw’Alaams / Tsmishian D Vancouver NE Chiefs
15 Maynard Andon Osoyoos C South Okanagan
6 McFarlane Aidan Surrey D Abbotsford Pilots
7 Mcisaac Nate Kelowna D Summerland Steam
12 McRae Jalen Upper Nicola Band F Thompson Blazers
23 Menard Sullivan Coquitlam D Yale Hockey Academy
30 Moberly Darian Chilliwack G Delta Hockey Academy
17 Morash Tye Quatsino F North Island Silvertips
13 Nordvie Rocky Shishalh Nation C Okanagan Hockey Academy
4 Siemens Jobie Bonaparte First Nation D Thompson Blazers
ALT Stewart Tayton Bonaparte First Nation G Okanagan Hockey Academy
ALT Siemens Ezra Bonaparte First Nation D Thompson Blazers
ALT Taylor Landen Doig River First Nation C Fort St. John Flyers

The Male Team BC Staff

Head Coach:                           Bobby Vermette (Maple Ridge)
Assistant Coach:                    Doneau Menard (Port Coquitlam)
Assistant Coach:                    Derry Menard (Coquitlam)
Manager:                                 Tana Mussell (Skwah First Nation, Chilliwack)

Trainer:                                    Christian Mustapich (Vancouver)

 

2022 OFFICIAL TEAM ROSTER

PROVINCE: BC          GENDER: FEMALE
# Last Name First Name Home Community Pos 2021/2022 Hockey Club
15 Batch Madison Campbell River D North Island Impact
2 Bottle Jaylah Tk’emlups te Secwepemc D Thompson Okanagan Lakers
14 Calla Jacqueline Squamish Nation D Richmond Pacific Steelers
21 Colebank Cricket Hixon F Northern Capitals
3 Dan Trishanna Esk’etemc D Williams Lake Timberwolves
4 Walkus Emma Gwasala Nakwaxdaxw D North Island Impact
20 John Kiya Ts’kw’aylaxw F Lillooet Pistons
5 Johnson Penelope Gitanmaax D Prince George Capitals
16 La Fleur – Hammann Morgan Dawson Creek C Northeast BC Female ‘A’ Predators
17 McKinnon Emily Mid Island Metis Nation F Vancouver Island Seals
13 Moss Kya Qalipu M’kmaq D Pacific Steelers
1 Nelson Alexandra Snuneymuxw G North Vancouver Island Impact
6 Norkus Brooke Prince George D Delta Wild
12 Sadler Jada Sechelt Indian Band D North Shore Avalanche
19 Sadler Janelle Sechelt Indian Band F Pacific Steelers
11 Sitter Hailey Tahltan D North Regional Lakers
10 Snyder Kaitlyn Mid-Isle Metis Nation F Ontario Hockey Academy Mavericks
18 Swanton Charlotte Metis Nation F Shawnigan Lake School Female Prep
30 Walchuk Alix Whitehorse G Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna
7 Wiley Samantha Haida Gwai D Okanagan Hockey Academy
ALT Menard Sydney Coquitlam D Tri City Predators
ALT Ignace Erika Skeetchestn D Kamloops Blazers
ALT Niesh Madelaine Gitwinksihlkw C Prince George Capitals
ALT Anderson Tahira Lower Nicola Indian Band G Kamloops Minor Hockey Association

Female Team BC Staff
Head Coach:                           Darrel Stanwood (West Vancouver)
Assistant Coach:                    Megan Price (Victoria)
Assistant Coach:                    Katy Thorne (Kamloops)
Manager:                                 Brenda Maguire (Whitehorse)

Trainer:                                   Nicholle Auger (Fernie)

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About the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC)

The NAHC, founded by the Aboriginal Sport Circle and sanctioned by Hockey Canada, is the premier forum for elite U18 Indigenous hockey players from across Canada. It is the only annual national event that showcases and celebrates the athletic abilities of Indigenous athletes from across the country, and aids in fostering cultural unity and pride. Team BC is represented by two teams, one male team and one female team, featuring the top players from across the province. For more information about the 2022 NAHC, visit https://nahcmembertou.com/.

About the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council

The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I·SPARC) is a provincial organization established for the purpose of improving the health outcomes of Indigenous people by supporting and encouraging physically active individuals, families, and communities. The programs and services delivered by I·SPARC are designed to build capacity and increase access to sport, recreation, and physical activity in First Nations, Aboriginal Friendship Centres, Métis Chartered Communities, schools, and other delivery agencies throughout British Columbia. For more information, about Team BC 2022 NAHC and I·SPARC, please visit: www.teambcnahc.com and www.isparc.ca.