Top Indigenous hockey players set to represent British Columbia at Elite Competition

Victoria, B.C. (May 8, 2022) – The Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity & Recreation Council (I∙SPARC) is pleased to announce the players and volunteer staff who will represent British Columbia in the 2022 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC). The 2022 NAHC takes place in Membertou First Nation, Nova Scotia, from May 7 to May 14, 2022.

I·SPARC hosted its Team BC Player Selection Camp from April 8-10, 2022 in Chilliwack, B.C. where 147 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 all our Team BC players, coaches, and staff participating in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. Due to the pandemic, it has been two years since the NAHC was held and we are all excited to see these talented hockey players hit the ice. Our three-day selection camp showcased an amazing level of talent from across the province,” said Rick Brant, CEO of I·SPARC. “We are very pleased with our rosters and the strengths of our two teams as they get set to compete in Membertou.”

At the last NAHC, held in Whitehorse, Yukon in 2019, Team BC’s male team came home with a bronze medal. They will kick off the tournament against the North on May 9, then play two games on May 10 against the Eastern Door & North and then the Atlantic, and finish the preliminary round against Saskatchewan on May 11.

In 2019, the female team made it to the bronze medal final but lost to Team Ontario. They will start the NAHC tournament facing-off against Saskatchewan on May 9, then play Eastern Door & North on May 10, and finish the preliminary round with two games on May 10 against Manitoba and the Atlantic.

The quarter-finals take place on May 12, semi-final round on May 13, and bronze and gold medal games on May 14.

To stay up-to-date on the action, follow on Twitter @TeamBCNAHC, Facebook @ISPARC.BC and Instagram @ipsarcTeamBC. For more information on the tournament visit https://nahcmembertou.com/.

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.