Saskatchewan Hockey Legends to be Honoured as Part of National Day for Reconciliation

Heroes from Canada’s most beloved sport, for the first time, are being honoured on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

“It’s a historic event. Nothing has been done before in celebrating Indigenous hockey players on this day,” said Garth Malarchuk, Chairman of the Western Canada Professional Hockey Foundation (WCPHS).

“It’s an opportunity to honour those Indigenous hockey legends, as well as to give back.”

On September 30 in Regina, Saskatchewan, WCPHS and Bouchier – an Indigenous owned contacting company, are hosting an evening celebrating Indigenous hockey legends who have played in the NHL, KHL, WHL, or Division I of the NCAA Women’s college ice hockey program.

The evening will feature a host of notable Indigenous players and speakers, including Jordin Tootoo (NHL), Bryan Trottier (NHL), Dave ‘Tiger’ Williams (NHL), brothers DJ and Dwight King (NHL), Kalley Armstrong (NCAA), Jon Mirasty (KHL), Ron Delorme (NHL), Rich Pilon (NHL), Brent Dodginghorse (WHL), and Joey Tetarenko (NHL).

“The whole idea behind this, we wanted to give back to the community. Most of us in our foundation have worked in the NHL for over 25 years, so this is a way of giving back to those who are less fortunate,” said Malarchuk.

The majority of the proceeds from the event will go to three Indigenous, Regina-based organizations: Ranch Ehrlo Society’s Outdoor Hockey League, KidSport Saskatchewan, and the Circle Project.

The event will also feature major NHL trophies for attendees to see up close, which organizers have yet to announce.

Saskatchewan born Ron Delorme, who is both Cree and Métis, played for nine season in the NHL on the Colorado Rockies (who later became the New Jersey Devils) and the Vancouver Canucks, retiring from professional hockey in 1985. He has since been working as a scout for the Canucks, which marks almost 50 years playing or working in the NHL.

“I think I’ve paved the way for a lot of players,” said Delorme.

“It will be special to give back on what you’ve learned from the game.”

Delorme said the Indigenous hockey players being honoured on the 30^th faced a lot of similar challenges over the course of their careers. Those challenges were often linked to their culture and background, facing limited opportunities, discrimination, and financial challenges.

“A lot of kids who live in reserves have rinks but there’s no programs in the buildings,” he said.

Delorme himself is well aware of these challenges, often experiencing racism due to being the only Indigenous athlete on the many teams throughout his career.

“I silently hurt. Being the only Aboriginal guy, there were always native jokes. I had to deal with name calling,” he said. “It was terrible because there was a lot of racism. You can’t do that stuff now, but it still goes on. It’s something these players deal with.”

In being part of the players honoured during the event on the 30^th, Delorme hopes to spread a message of hope and inspiration to young generations.

“We want to tell kids that everything is possible,” he said.

“This is to help everyone understand that we had a dream, we made it, and it’s possible for these kids with a dream to make it, too.”

Celebrating Indigenous Hockey Legends event takes place September 30 in Regina