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Summary
What is indeed certain, however, is the fact there is a large number of Indigenous players on WHL rosters during the 2016-17 campaign. There are 14 Indigenous players on clubs in the 22-team circuit. The league features franchises not only in the western Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, but also in the states of Oregon and Washington.
By Sam Laskaris
Windspeaker Contributor
Since historical records are not kept in the Western Hockey League (WHL), it’s difficult to determine whether this is a record-breaking season.
What is indeed certain, however, is the fact there is a large number of Indigenous players on WHL rosters during the 2016-17 campaign.
There are 14 Indigenous players on clubs in the 22-team circuit. The league features franchises not only in the western Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, but also in the states of Oregon and Washington.
The WHL is one of three Major Junior hockey circuits operating in Canada. The Ontario Hockey League and the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League are the others.
Though the three leagues do not have interlocking schedules, they are all part of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL). Champions from the three leagues, as well as a host team, do meet annually to decide national bragging rights in the Memorial Cup tournament.
Corey St. Laurent, the WHL’s senior manager of communications, said playing in the league is a noteworthy goal for all players.
“Competing in the Western Hockey League is a tremendous accomplishment for any amateur hockey player, regardless of their ancestry,” St. Laurent said. “We hope that our players take pride in that and serve as positive role models for young players aspiring to play at the top level of the Canadian amateur hockey system.”
The list of Indigenous players in the WHL this season includes 19-year-old Cree defenceman Ethan Bear, who is in his fourth season with the Seattle Thunderbirds.
While the majority of those in the CHL aspire to play pro, Bear has a decent shot of accomplishing that. He was selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the fifth round, 124th over-all, at the 2015 National Hockey League Entry Draft.
Bear, who is from Saskatchewan’s Ochapowace Nation, inked a three-year deal with the Oilers this past off-season. But he was still returned to the Thunderbirds for some additional grooming.
Though he’s a defenceman, Bear chipped in offensively a year ago averaging close to a point per game. He collected 65 points (19 goals, 46 assists) in 69 regular season outings.
He’s continuing to rack up points this season, having earned 19 points, including eight goals, in his first 23 contests.
The Thunderbirds’ roster also includes another Cree player, 17-year-old forward Wyatt Bear, who grew up on Manitoba’s Peguis First Nation, but he has been injured and yet to suit up for a WHL game this season.
Meanwhile, there are four other Indigenous players suiting up for American-based squads in the WHL this season.
Rylan Parenteau, a 20-year-old goalie who has Métis heritage, is a member of the Tri-City Americans. The Americans play their home matches in Kennewick, located in the state of Washington.
Parenteau, who is from Saskatoon, had started the season with the Prince Albert Raiders, the Saskatchewan squad he had spent the past two years with. But after just two appearances with the Raiders this season he was dealt to the Americans.
Parenteau registered an 8-5-1 record in his first 14 games with the Tri-City side. Others toiling for Washington-based teams are Connor Dewar (Métis), a 17-year-old forward who is in his second season with the Everett Silvertips, and Riley McKay (Cree) and Koby Morrisseau (Ojibwe), rookie forwards with the Spokane Chiefs, age 17 and 16, respectively.
Dewar had scored twice and added eight assists in his first 26 games this season. McKay had notched his first WHL goals and also had a pair of assists following his first 19 matches. Morrisseau had two points, including his first goal in the league, in 16 contests.
Three other Indigenous players are toiling for British Columbia-based teams this year. This list features Garrett Pilon, a Washington Captials’ draft pick.
Pilon, an 18-year-old Métis forward, is in his second season with the Kamloops Blazers. Washington selected him in the third round, 87th over-all, in the NHL Entry Draft this past June.
Also playing in B.C. are Jared Bethune (Ojibwe), a 19-year-old forward in his third season with the Prince George Cougars, and Ryan Gagnon (Métis), a 20-year-old defenceman in his fifth and final year with the Victoria Royals.
Other Indigenous players with WHL clubs include Linden McCorrister (Cree/Saulteaux), Drew Warkentine (Métis), Tristan Langan (Cree), Clayton Kirichenko (Sto:lo Nation) and Jesse Roach (Ojibwe).
McCorrister, an 18-year-old forward, is in his second season with Manitoba’s Brandon Wheat Kings. Warkentine, 18, and Langan, 17, are forwards with the Saskatchewan-based Prince Albert Raiders and Moose Jaw Warriors, respectively.
Kirichenko and Roach are toiling for Alberta-based squads. Kirichenko, is a 20-year-old defenceman with the Medicine Hat Tigers, and 19-year-old Roach is a forward with the Edmonton Oil Kings.