Sports is a family affair for Houles

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To many people her is just another hockey player. But to his parents and friends, he's not just a flash in the pan; he shows signs of promise as a good pro prospect in hockey.

Chris Houle, a strapping six-foot, 14 year-old Metis from the Buffalo Lake Metis Settlement just northeast of Edmonton, is the pride and joy of Bernie and Mae who do all in their power to support their Children's initiatives. Though Bernie himself is not a hockey player, he's one fine ball player and knows the value and meaning of sports for youth.

For the past 10 years, Chris' mom and dad have had to help out whenever and however they could and that's not been easy since older brother Jason is also a decent player needing attention. Then too, there's an older sister attending university.

Chris began playing (left wing and center) at age 7. He put in a couple of years with the Boyle Nordiques, then Smokey Lake, and with the St. Paul eagles last year. About five years ago, he tried goal tending and liked it. It's now his forte.

As for playing with Native teams, "I placed either gold or silver," and was often awarded MVP, said Chris.

But, time moves on and Chris gets older, and better. And, he wants to eventually crack mainstream national league hockey. Come fall, he hopes to play Triple A in Sherwood Park where one of the coaches is wooing him. If he makes the cut, Chris will have to move to Sherwood Park and attend school there. He'll be going into Grade 10.

"He's come a long way," said Bernie, who's watched and helped him develop. He's particularly proud of his son's netminding last year at the Canadian Western Championships in Brandon, Man. His team placed second in the A side in Triple A, and took first in peewee.

At the April 3 to 7 Alberta Native Provincials, Chris led two shutouts and led the Goodfish Selects to gold. On April 17 to 21, he joined a select bunch who played in the prestigious Alberta Mac Cup tournament which only picks several of the province's top goalies. Although they didn't place high, Chris' team's seemingly poor performance wasn't nearly as bad as it appeared.

"The team that beat his," explained Bernie, "won every gameChris won two games and lost the final in overtime."

Dad's also proud of how well Chris takes losses. "You have to learn how to lose before you can be a winner," he claimed.

When they can, the Houles send Chris to goaltending schools. Bernie appreciates the value in this because they work one-on-one, using instructors from the WHL and NHL.

Down the road, Chris hopes to play for Team Alberta at the next Canadian Winter Games, which happens in Newfoundland.

As for any aspirations to the NHL, Bernie thinks his boy "Has a good shot. He's doing really goodwill likely try WHL firstgot invited to a couple of Triple A camps in Edmonton and Sherwood Park this fall."

Outside the rink, Chris enjoys gold a lot, fishing and fastball. In fact, his dad claims he's got a pretty wicked pitching arm.

And, just how good is his older brother, Jason?

"Last year in Triple A with the Strathcona Warriors, he got two hat tricks in his first four games and was top scorer in the league in the first couple of months," boasted his dad.