Sports Briefs for December 2015

Honorary degree for sports leader

A First Nation sports leader has received an honorary degree from the University of Victoria. Baptiste Harry (Skip) Dick was presented with an honorary doctor of education degree on Nov. 10 in recognition of his First Nations advocacy work.

Dick, who was born in Victoria, was taken as a youngster from his home and placed in a residential school in Kamloops, B.C. He was recognized for his work over decades in education and youth athletics. He has been a positive influence for countless Songhees Nation youth.

Besides being involved with the Elders’ Voices program, which supports students, staff and faculty at the University of Victoria, Dick also co-founded the Victoria Native Friendship Centre. Dick also co-founded the Victoria T-Bird Soccer Club. And in 1989, the BC Lacrosse Association selected him as the Manager of the Year.

The University of Victoria has been handing out honorary degrees since its first convocation in 1964. An honorary degree is the highest honor university officials can present to individuals for their distinguished feats in scholarship, research, teaching, creative arts or public service. Dick was one of two people to receive an honorary degree at the November convocation.

McCallum starring in Edinburgh

Craig McCallum is making an immediate impact in his first professional hockey season. McCallum, who is from Saskatchewan’s Canoe Lake Cree Nation, is a rookie forward with the Edinburgh Capitals. The Scottish-based Capitals are members of the Elite Ice Hockey League, the top hockey circuit in the United Kingdom.

McCallum, 26, had spent the past five seasons with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. He has been a valuable addition to the Capitals. He was averaging more than a point per game early on this season. And he was second in team scoring, having accumulated 25 points (nine goals, 16 assists) through 21 contests. Only American Ryan Hayes, a six-year pro, had more points (33) among Edinburgh players.

Prior to his university career, McCallum had also spent his final junior season in his home province, toiling for the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League (WHL). McCallum had played his first two WHL seasons with the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Demons prepare for season

The Ohsweken Demons are gearing up for yet another season in the Canadian Lacrosse League. The Demons, the only pro squad in North America that features an all-Native roster, are entering their fifth season in the circuit, which is more commonly known as CLax.

As was the case last season, the Demons, who play their home contests at the Iroquois Lacrosse Arena in Hagersville, Ont., will be one of five entrants in the upcoming CLax campaign. Also taking part will be the defending league champion Barrie Blizzard, Niagara Lock Monsters, Durham TurfDogs and the SouthWest Cyclops.

The Demons won the league crown in the inaugural CLax season in 2012. The club also advanced to the league final in each of the past two seasons but were beaten by the Lock Monsters and Blizzard, respectively. All squads in the CLax play 10 regular season contests. The top four finishers then advance to the playoffs.

The Demons’ first regular season match is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2015 against the visiting Blizzard.

Conference seeks presentations

Organizers of the annual National Aboriginal Physical Activity Conference are putting the call out for those interesting in presenting or staging educational sessions. The fourth annual conference will be held this coming April 28 and April 29 at Vancouver’s Langara College.

The event has become Canada’s largest conference on physical activity for First Nations, Metis and Inuit people. The Aboriginal Physical Activity and Cultural Circle host the conference, which is both a networking and educational opportunity.

Roy begins pro career with Americans

Eric Roy has launched his pro hockey career in Texas. The 21-year-old Metis is a member of the Allen Americans, who compete in the East Coast Hockey League. This circuit is considered two steps below the NHL. Roy, a defenceman, played his entire junior career, five seasons, in the Western Hockey League with the Brandon Wheat Kings. 

Roy is hoping to eventually move up the ranks in the pros. He had been selected in the fifth round, 135th over-all, by the Calgary Flames in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft.  

Roy is off to a solid start with the Americans, who are the defending ECHL champions. He had eight points, including five goals, in his first 12 contests with the squad. And despite being a rookie he was the top scoring defenceman on the Allen squad.

Roy, who is from Beauval, Sask., had 45 points in 66 games in his final season with the Wheat Kings.