SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN – There was a mad rush to make it happen, but organizers are thrilled with the Aboriginal Hockey Showcase they were able to stage in Saskatoon.
The showcase, held Dec. 17 – 22, was part of the BHP Billiton Family Hockey Fest, which included exhibits and interactive games from the Hockey Hall of Fame, which is permanently based in Toronto.
The six-day free event was held to drum up support for the World Junior Hockey Championships, which began Dec. 26 in Saskatoon, as well as Regina, another city in Saskatchewan.
This was believed to be the first time an International Ice Hockey Federation tournament had such strong aboriginal ties.
Among those who attended the Aboriginal Hockey Showcase were four former aboriginal professional players who had toiled in the National Hockey League. They were Freddie Sasakamoose, Reggie Leach, Jim Neilson and Rich Pilon.
Eugene Arcand, an Aboriginal Hockey Showcase organizer, said that component of the event was hastily arranged, all in about a week and a half.
“We had to scramble, but through the cooperation of everybody, we managed to pull it off.”
The event was also well-received by the public. During one autograph session day when all four former NHLers were present, more than 2,000 people lined up for signatures.
“They’re all pretty good friends,” Arcand said. “It helped us (getting all of them together).”
Arcand was surprised to see the large number of fans who arrived with NHL jerseys representing teams the former aboriginal stars had played with.
Though he only played 11 games with the Chicago Blackhawks during 1953 – 54, Sasakamoose is a legend in aboriginal hockey circles, because he was the first aboriginal player to make it to the NHL.
As for Leach, he’s probably the best known of the former aboriginal stars. He suited up for four teams – Boston Bruins, California Golden Seals, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings – during his 13-season NHL career.
Leach, a forward, played a total of 1,028 NHL contests and accumulated 735 points, including 428 goals. Leach, nicknamed “The Rifle,” scored a career-high 61 goals, during the 1975 – 76 campaign with the Flyers.
Neilson and Pilon, both defensemen, also had lengthy NHL careers.
Neilson played 16 seasons in the league, suiting up for the New York Rangers, California Golden Seals and Cleveland Barons.
And during his 14-season NHL career, Pilon played for the New York Rangers, New York Islanders and St. Louis Blues.
Besides enabling the public to meet and get autographs, the Aboriginal Hockey Showcase also included displays of the former players. The displays featured jerseys worn by the players as well as hockey cards, bobbleheads and other memorabilia.
Arcand said the event was partly held to raise the public awareness of the former aboriginal greats.
“Getting to (the NHL), whether you are Native or non-Native takes a lot of work and is a big deal. There are some obvious obstacles though when you are a First Nations player.”
One individual who knows that is Don Marks, who wrote “They Call Me Chief,” which chronicles the challenges aboriginal players faced en route to the pros. Marks, who also made a film about the book, was among those participating in the showcase.
“I was really pleased the event was held as otherwise First Nations contributions to hockey would have been overlooked.”
Marks said the free event provided an opportunity to have a memorable hockey experience for those who will not be going to or cannot afford to go to any of the games at the World Junior Championships.
Others featured at the event were a pair of aboriginal players currently suiting up for junior hockey teams, including Jeremy Boyer, a member of the Saskatoon Blades who compete in the Western Hockey League; and Craig McCallum, who is with the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders.
The 10-nation world junior tournament will have another aboriginal connection. Tickets for selected games will include photos of three former aboriginals born in Saskatchewan who played in the NHL; Sasakamoose, Neilson and Ron Delorme.