Hockey in the far north – Kitchenuhmaykoosib

    During the second week of February I was in the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Native Reserve on Big Trout Lake (500 miles north of Thunder Bay) covering the hockey for development program run by Right to Play Canada’s PLAY program and the head coach that they brought with them, former NHL player and coach John Chabot.

    The program brings coaches, players, and instructors into communities that may not have access to them as readily as others might, and conducts both hockey and off ice programs to engage the youth within the community.

    In Kitchenuhmaykoosib, a great deal of focus revolves around the hockey rink.

    Hockey plays a dominant role in the day-to-day lives of children and adults alike, with tournaments, outside programs and inter-reserve play. Watching hockey being played and taught in the community, it is difficult not to see the community’s love of the game and skill that they play it at.