Siksika youth will play hockey in Regina

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It's about a six-and-a-half hour drive from Siksika First Nation near Calgary to Regina. Sixteen-year-old Robin Big Snake made the drive with his father, Carlin, in mid-August to his second Western Hockey League training camp with the Regina Pats. Now, it looks like Regina will be Big Snake's home for the rest of the hockey season.

After attending his first WHL camp with the Pats as a 15-year-old last season, Big Snake made an impression on the organization's brass. They listed him and he returned home to Siksika.

The 6'1, 197 lbs, left-winger played Triple A Bantam hockey with the Airdrie Xtreme in the Alberta Major Bantam Hockey League. Airdrie is about an hour-and-a-half from Siksika and Big Snake and his family made the trip up to four times a week for games and practices.

When Big Snake wasn't on the ice with the Xtreme, he was out at the new rink on Siksika, practicing with everyone from the pre-novice to the senior men's team.

"I was known as a rink rat," Big Snake says with a smile, "but I guess there are worse things to be known for. It got me this far."

During his season with the Xtreme, Big Snake scored 12 goals and 23 assists, for 35 points in 34 games. He also amassed 103 minutes in penalties. The Xtreme won the provincial championship in Alberta and went on to the win the Western Canada Triple A championship.

When Big Snake went to Regina for his second camp, he quickly gained a reputation as a hard-working player. He plays a tough style of game.

"I'll never back down from a fight, but I don't go out to start any trouble. It just happens. It's part of the game," Big Snake said of the tough stuff.

Going into main camp, Big Snake was up against a lot of competition.

Pats' veteran players and a number of others were competing for the few roster spots open. He continued his gritty style of play and did well against others who had been in the league for a couple of seasons.

Pats general manager Brent Parker said, "he's impressed us."

Big Snake made it past the first few rounds of cuts, and in a pre-season road game versus the Brandon Wheatkings in early September, he made his debut in a Pats' uniform. He got into a fight in the first period and spent the rest of the game in the stands. The Pats lost the game, but Big Snake said he learned a lot.

"It's a big jump from Bantam to Major Junior, but I'm adjusting quickly," he said.

Big Snake's first chance to lace up the blades as number 36 of the Pats came on Sept. 27 at the Regina Agridome versus the Prince Albert Raiders. He got into a second-period fight when the Pats were down 3-1. Big Snake sat in the box for five minutes and the Pats won the game 6-3.

"Somebody's got to step up and get the team on the right track and I had to do it today," he said after his Western Hockey League debut.

Big Snake played one more game with the Pats versus the Medicine Hat Tigers before being assigned to the Pats' affiliate team in the Saskatchewan Midget 'AAA' League, the Regina Pat Canadians. General Manager Brent Parker said of Big Snake's assignment, "We felt that it was important for Robin to play a lot this season, and we were not sure if we could commit to giving him the ice time he needs to continue his development. Having him here with the Pat Canadians gives us a chance to monitor him and allow him to practise and play some games with us."

Even though Big Snake will not see regular action this season with the Regina Pats, he has still made a big impression on the team's management.

"He's a real tenacious hockey player. He plays the game hard. He's one of those kids who always has a smile on his face. Everyone in our organization likes him. I think he'll be a guy who'll be a real fan favorite here. He will be a big part of our team in the future," said Parker.