Game On Magazine 2017 May 2017 | Page 48

RHA NATIONALS Nakodan Greyeyes: Earning plenty of looks The RHA Nationals program has provided a number of opportunities for its young players this season. However, while a successful inaugural season is over for the Nationals’ Prep Midgets, it hasn’t ended for team captain Nakodan Greyeyes. There is still one big tournament remaining to play. By Jim Timlick Photos by Bruce Fedyck N LASH NEWS F e history of t time in th For the firs al Hockey al Aborigin and the Nation itoba’s male al n a M , ip h s d Champion th gold me ms were bo NAHC a te le a m fe the 2017 winners at n Valley, B.C in Cowicha 48 GAME ON 2017 CHAMPIONS EDITION akodan Greyeyes has always been proud of his indigenous roots. Although he’s spent most of his for- mative years in Winnipeg, Greyeyes has enjoyed a sense of connectedness to his Ojibwe heritage and his mom and dad’s First Nations communities of Fairford and Peguis respectively. Few things have filled him with more pride than the occasions when he got to slip on a Fairford hockey jersey and represent the community at a tournament. Greyeyes, 16, will soon have an opportunity to represent both his indigenous and hockey com- munities on one of the biggest stages in the country. The six-foot centre from the Rink Hockey Academy Nationals will play for Team Manitoba at the 2017 National Aboriginal Hockey Champion- ships, May 1 to 6 in Cowichan Valley, B.C.