Experience gained for Team Eastern Door

Despite some challenges on the ice, the girls playing for Team Eastern Door and the North (EDN) at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) can hold their heads up high after closing out their tournament with a 4-1 win over Team Nova Scotia.

“Finishing the tournament with a win was very meaningful. It ended things on a positive and enthusiastic note and showed the girls that they are capable of competing at that level,” said assistant coach Kwaronienhawi Jacobs, one of many Kahnawa’kehró:non on the team as players and staff.

Joining her at the tournament on the girls’ side were players Niiohentaa Diabo, Waheshon Curotte, Hayse Horne, Ella Montour, Bella Deer, Iakotste’niaron Deer, as well as team manager Konwatharani Jacobs and first aid attendant Kateri Oesterreich.

“Losing by such high scores in most of our games was frustrating and never feels good, so ending with a win gave the team confidence and something positive to build on.”

Not all those losses were lopsided, however, with a narrow 5-4 defeat to Nova Scotia prior to the win. Team EDN finished 1-4 in the tournament.

Jacobs said that overall, the NAHC is always a good trip for Team EDN, no matter the result, because it is a learning experience.

Not just learning about playing hockey, but also getting to know yourself as a young adult.

“These athletes learned a lot about themselves and how they can better prepare for the years ahead. Some also learned that, just like I played during the early years of NAHC, they too can one day return as coaches and come full circle in their journey,” said Jacobs.

“This experience showed the players their potential and what they are truly capable of achieving. It opened their eyes to the opportunities and experiences available to them, while also helping them build meaningful connections with Indigenous people from across the country.”

On the boys’ side, their tournament ended in overtime in their first playoff game, where they lost 4-3 to Team Nova Scotia and finished fifth overall with a 2-3 record.

“Losing in overtime was a heartbreaker. Our team was better than that. We had a team that had a chance to medal,” said Team EDN assistant coach Mike Stacey.

“Despite the loss, it was definitely a huge steppingstone for Team EDN,” said Team EDN goaltender Pryor Stacey, also Mike’s son.

“I think this next year we could come back much stronger and win a medal.”

Mike thinks so, too, crediting the hard work the players and coaches have done to create a program that can be successful in the NAHC and compete with the other high-calibre teams.

“It’s shown with the improvements the team has made in the past three years. Next year, with returning players, I’m hoping they remember what it felt like and will go even harder when needed,” said Mike.

One of those returning players will be Pryor.

“Despite the loss, it was definitely a huge steppingstone for Team EDN. I think next year we could come back much stronger and win a medal,” said Pryor.

Even with the loss, Pryor said he enjoyed himself, particularly getting to play with many of his old minor hockey teammates - five other players represented the community on the team: Camden Jackson, Rome Delisle, Shoheres Jacobs, Kasyn Moses, and Jaxton McComber.

“It reminded me of when I was young and played for the Mohawks. To able to go that far with my old teammates was really a special feeling and I can’t wait to do it again next year,” said Pryor.

Pryor Stacey named Most Valuable Goaltender

After the end of the NAHC, three players from Team EDN were given awards, as voted on by each team’s coaching staff.

Pryor was named the Men’s Most Valuable Goaltender, while Channing Cooper and Sophianne Robinson each won the Sportsmanship Award for their respective team.

In three games, Pryor had a 1-2 record, with a 3.67 goals against average, but he made several big saves and kept Team EDN in contention for the win in each game he played in.

“It’s definitely an honour to be recognized as best goalie, because I have really been working my hardest this last year, and to be awarded like that just feels so great to me,” said Pryor.

“I was honestly surprised when I won the award, because we finished in fifth place and our team is usually very unnoticed in the tournament.”

Coach Mike, Pryor’s father as well as his coach, knows Pryor was one of Team EDN’s key players - and he’s glad others have started to notice, too.

“As a coach, I was very happy. He was chosen by the other provinces, so it shows the work that he has been putting in over the years,” said Mike.

“As a dad, it was a very proud moment, seeing that what he has been doing, others are now seeing.”

[email protected]