Getting into high-level hockey

Oniehtá:se Day has been playing organized hockey ever since he was six years old, and there is not a position on the ice he has not played in the almost 10 years since he got his start.

“He started out as a player. He dabbled with being a goalie for about two years, then he came out of the net. He retired his pads early, and then he was on defense, then forward, and then the last two years, he’s back on defense,” said Nadine Diabo, Day’s mother.

Her son will now be bringing that ability to play multiple roles and positions to the Canadian International Hockey Academy (CIHA), a private boarding school in Rockland, Ontario, that focuses on hockey along with high-school academics. He’ll be starting there in the next academic year.

Day, who just finished his season with the U15A Kahnawake Mohawks, was the one to bring forward the idea of him attending this school to his parents, as some of his friends from the community told him about their positive experiences there.

“He looked into it on his own. He did a lot of research. This is something that he’s very passionate about,” said Diabo.

“We, his whole family, we’re there to support him on this journey that he wants to take.”

Day said that his advancement as a player is another motivating factor to going to CIHA.

“I am looking forward to getting into a good league through this program,” said Day.

Players who have gone to the CIHA have gone on to play major Junior and collegiate hockey, with a few even seeing some action in the National Hockey League.

As for right now, Day said that staying in hockey, especially at a high level, has been about facing strong players and opponents and personal advancement.

“The love for the sport kept me in and the challenge made me want to keep going,” said Day.

Diabo is holding various fundraising efforts, to help pay the costs that will come with sending her son to the CIHA.

“Going to school outside, there’s always a lot of costs,” said Diabo, who added that while about one quarter of the tuition is being covered, the fundraising will help alleviate the monetary burden.

Raffles, Stanley Cup squares, and more are currently being planned by the family, with a $100 raffle already posted on her Facebook page.

“We are already getting support all around. So, I think we’re going to make it for sure, but we’re going to be doing a lot of fundraising throughout the summer.”

[email protected]