Game On Magazine - April 2017 GameOn-Apr2017-P001-144-ONLINE | Page 96

MASRC ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Wheaties
McCorrister
Named MASRC
Male Athlete
of the Year
By Johnston Hall
Photo by Jeff Miller
BRANDON, MB. – Way back when (OK, four years ago), Game
On Magazine contributor and Everett Silvertips scout, Doug Sinclair
was the head coach of Manitoba’s U-16 team.
When asked about a member of that team, Sinclair remembers
clearly why he kept Linden McCorrister ahead of some other cen-
tremen who put up bigger numbers.
“When we were building the team, we had a lot of centremen,”
said Sinclair candidly. “Linden was with us as a depth guy. We knew
we were going to have to move some centremen to the wings, but
we wanted to keep Linden in the middle. He plays hard, he checks
hard and he’s very responsible. We used Linden to shut down (WHL
No. 1 draft pick Tyler) Benson. We needed a physical centreman who
would check. Linden fit the bill. He’s a great kid who works very
hard.”
For a guy who doesn’t immediately catch your eye, McCorrister is
the type of player that no team can do without. He skates well, is
not afraid of the dirty parts of the rink and he’ll do absolutely any-
thing a coach asks. That’s why he was an important member of the
2016 Brandon Wheat Kings’ championship run and a big part of why
he was just named the Manitoba Aboriginal Sport and Recreation
Council’s 2016 Male Athlete of the Year.
Of course, the 18-year-old McCorrister has been a rising star in the
hockey world since he laced up his first pair of skates at age three.
He grew up playing the game in Peguis First Nation, played his first
organized hockey at age five and by the time he was eight, his fam-
ily knew he could be a special player.
While playing with the Interlake Lightning in The Manitoba Triple
A Midget Hockey League, McCorrister set a rather difficult goal: He
wanted to make the Brandon Wheat Kings within two years. He did
it in 18 months.
After a season with the Swan Valley Stampeders of the Manitoba
Junior Hockey League, he moved up to the Wheaties and has never
looked back. has continually pursed his life time dream of playing in
the NHL. In 27 games this season, he has two goals and six points
and despite battling two separate injuries, has been an important
96 GAME ON
2017 PLAYOFF EDITION
third- and fourth-line energy player for Wheaties head coach David
Anning. He’s not afraid to fight for his teammates and his return to
the lineup for the 2016-17 WHAL playoffs is being hailed as a step
forward by the Wheat Kings’ coaching staff.
The 6-foot, 185-pound center/leftwing is a former member of
Manitoba’s team at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship.
“As a role model, Linden brings great pride to his family, friends
and community,” said MASRC executive director, Melodye Whitesell.
“He maintains a balanced physical, mental, cultural, and spiritual
outlook. Linden engages the youth in Peguis during the off-season,
encouraging and supporting them and inviting the youth to train
alongside of him.”
The Manitoba Aboriginal Sports & Recreation Council recognizes
Aboriginal athletes for their personal commitment to development
and achievement in sport. Each year, one Aboriginal male and one
Aboriginal female athlete is selected to receive the Manitoba Ab-
original Athlete of the Year Award. They are selected from nomi-
nations detailing their positive role in sports and the community,
their personal commitment to athletic development, achievements
in sport, and their concern for holistic development. Aiyana Hart,
a multi-sport athlete at Sisler High School in Winnipeg, who hails
from Carry the Kettle First Nation, was the 2016 female Athlete of
the Year.