Victoria, B.C. (April 12, 2023) – The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) is pleased to announce the players and volunteer personnel who will represent British Columbia in the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC). The 2023 NAHC takes place in Winnipeg, Manitoba from May 7 to May 13, 2023. 

I·SPARC hosted its Team BC Player Selection Camp from March 31 to April 2, 2023 in Kamloops, B.C. where over 140 elite Indigenous male and female hockey players participated in the three-day process. From the camp, twenty male and twenty female hockey players were selected. These players will not only represent BC, but they will also proudly represent their Indigenous Nations and communities at this prestigious national championship. 

“Congratulations to the outstanding hockey players and team staff selected to represent Team BC in the upcoming National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Our three-day Provincial Selection Camp was a resounding success, and we were inspired by the exceptional level of skill and determination exhibited by each participant.” said Rick Brant, CEO of I·SPARC. “It is with great pride that we announce the final rosters of our two teams as we prepare for our journey to Winnipeg to compete at the 20th National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.” 

At the last NAHC, held in Membertou, Nova Scotia in 2022, Team BC’s male and female teams both came home with a bronze medal. Team BC is thrilled with this year’s selections and cannot wait to head to the 2023 NAHC. 

To stay up-to-date on the action, follow us on Twitter @TeamBCNAHC, Facebook @TeamBCNAIG and Instagram @isparcTeamBC. For more information on the tournament, please visit https://nahc2023.ca/  

2023 TEAM BC MALES – OFFICIAL ROSTER

Last Name First Name YOB City/Town Ancestry/Nation Pos 2022/2023 Hockey Club
Kennedy Kane 2005 Summerland Métis Nation Alberta F Okanagan Hockey Academy
Hamilton Ethan 2006 Prince George Cold Lake First Nation D Okanagan Hockey Academy
Johnstone Jase 2006 Whitehorse Tahltan Nation F Pacific Coast Hockey Academy
Blace Wyatt 2007 Crofton Squamish Nation F Pacific Coast Hockey Academy
Alain Colton 2007 Victoria Vancouver Island Métis D Pacific Coast Hockey Academy
Lescarbeau Samuel 2005 Kelowna Métis Nation British Columbia F Bishop College School
Olson Brendan 2005 Kelowna Métis Nation British Columbia F Okanagan Hockey Academy
Siemens Jobie 2005 Kamloops Bonaparte First Nation D Thompson Blazers (U18 AAA)
Dickie Peyton 2006 Fort Nelson Fort Nelson First Nation F Okanagan Hockey Academy
Torget Jake 2006 Langley Selkirk First Nation G Fraser Valley Thunderbirds
Menard Sullivan 2005 Coquitlam Métis Nation British Columbia D Northeast Chiefs (U18 AAA)
Melnychuk Oliver 2006 Delta xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) D Aldergrove Kodiaks (PJHL)
McRae Jalen 2005 Merritt Upper Nicola Band F Princeton Posse (KIJHL)
Nordvie Rocky 2005 Sechelt Shishalh Nation & Liard First Nation F Port Alberni Bombers (VIJHL)
Chartres Sam 2006 Kelowna Métis Nation British Columbia D Okanagan Rockets (MML)
Cross Caelen 2007 Cranbrook Métis F RINK Hockey Academy
Turvey Benjamin 2006 Kamloops Whispering Pines/Clinton G Thompson Blazers (U18 AA)
Reid Grant 2007 Surrey Métis Nation British Columbia F Yale Hockey Academy
Price Kenyan 2006 Kelowna Driftpile Cree Nation F Okanagan Hockey Club
Wingfield Jacob 2006 Half Moon Bay Métis Nation British Columbia F Kerry Park Islanders
Alternates
Livingston Cale 2007 Campbell River North Island Métis D Notre Dame Hounds
Stewart Tayton 2005 Okanagan Falls Bonaparte First Nation G Osoyoos Coyotes (KIJHL)
Power-Smith Jonah 2006 Port Moody Métis F Vancouver Northeast Chiefs


Male Team Staff
Head Coach:           Bobby Vermette (Maple Ridge / Métis)
Assistant Coach:     Doneau Menard (Port Coquitlam / Métis)
Assistant Coach:     Derry Menard (Coquitlam / Métis)
Manager:                Tana Mussell (Chilliwack / Sqwá (Skwah) First Nation)
Trainer:                   Noelani Avveduti (Victoria / Alexander First Nation)

2023 TEAM BC FEMALES – OFFICIAL ROSTER

Last Name First Name YOB City/Town Ancestry/Nation Pos 2022/2023 Hockey Club
McKinnon Emily 2005 Nanoose Bay Mid Island Métis Nation F Vancouver Island Seals
Snyder Kaitlyn 2005 Parksville Mid-Isle Métis Nation F Richmond Pacific Steelers
La Fleur Morgan 2006 Dawson Creek Métis Nation British Columbia C Northern Capitals
Swanton Charlotte 2005 Victoria Métis Nation British Columbia F Shawnigan Lake School
Danielson Kiana 2005 Black Creek Homalco First Nation F Pacific Steelers
Batch Madison 2008 Campbell River Vancouver Island North D Vancouver Island Seals
Gabriel Preston 2007 Oliver Penticton Indian Band D Okanagan Hockey Academy
Riley Paige 2007 Coquitlam Métis D Greater Vancouver Comets
Maynard Danica 2007 Osoyoos Métis Nation British Columbia D Okanagan Hockey Academy
Bottle Jaylah 2007 Kamloops Tk’emlups te Secwepemc D OHA Penticton
Sitter Hailey 2007 Coldstream Tahltan D Thompson Okanagan Lakers
Johnson Penelope 2006 Prince George Gitanmaax D Northern Capitals
Streek Kate 2006 Kamloops Kamloops D Thompson Zone Blazers
Wild Hayden 2009 Okanagan Falls Papachase First Nation F Okanagan Hockey Academy
Walchuk Alix 2007 Whitehorse Métis G Delta
Nelson Alex 2006 Nanaimo Snuneymuxw First Nation G Shawnigan Lake School
Dan Trishanna 2006 Alkali Lake Esk’etemc F OHA Mavericks
Niesh Maddy 2008 Prince George Nisga’a Nation C Northern Capitals
Lawlor Alexandra 2006 West Vancouver Métis F Pacific Steelers
Lescarbeau Olivia 2007 Kelowna Métis Nation British Columbia F River Hawks
Alternates
Lawlor Saoirse 2007 West Vancouver Métis G North Shore Avalanche
Sadler Jada 2007 North Vancouver Sechelt Indian Band D North Shore Avalanche
Munro Asia 2007 Merritt Kanaka Bar F Thompson Zone
Naidu Evelyn 2007 Burnaby Tl’etinqox C North Shore Avalanche

Female Team Staff
Head Coach:           Darrel Stanwood (West Vancouver / Métis)
Assistant Coach:     Alex Hendrickson (Abbotsford / Métis)
Assistant Coach:     Jade Ridgewell (Delta / First Nations)
Manager:                Brenda Maguire (Nanaimo)
Trainer:                   Nicholle Auger (Fernie)

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 2023 NAHC, please visit https://nahc2023.ca/

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: https://isparc.ca/performance-sport/team-bc/national-aboriginal-hockey-championships/