Getting started on the ice

For Brandon Ska'nerahtiio Etienne, hockey has become a familial activity, as it so often does for families with young children.

His son, Anienkwi Etienne, participated in his first ever big hockey event on January 18 and 19, as his Two Mountains Hockey Association U7 team played in the 28th edition of the Festi-Tour in Mascouche, a hockey celebration made for U7 teams from across the province.

Anienkwi’s older sister Wattsiserenhen had already been playing hockey for two years, and his father said he wanted to emulate her, at least at first. 

“He was interested in it originally, but in our community, through the Health Center here in Kanesatake, they were offering free skating twice a month,” said Brandon. “So I was bringing his sister, and he said that he wanted to go on the ice too.”

At first, it was not easy to find skates for his son, but once he had some, skating became something Anienkwi liked doing a lot.

“He’s gotten better and better, and now he's a very good skater,” said Brandon.

Although Anienkwi is having fun so far, there have been a few challenges to start off his hockey playing, most notably a language barrier with the rest of the team, where he is the only non-francophone on his team.

“When I started with my daughter, there were a good dozen or so English speakers in the age group, but this year here's none, so it's been hard for him,” said Brandon.

As such, he has stepped in to help as a coach, to help translate for his son and make things easier for him with the rest of the team.

Despite that, Anienkwi is finding hockey quite enjoyable.

“I think he likes the idea of skating, playing hockey, doing what his older sister does,” said Brandon.

In U7 hockey, fun, learning, and participation are the name of the game, not the results – scores are not kept officially, for example.

That was also the case at the Festi-Tour in Mascouche – but that does not mean it did not feel like a big deal for Anienkwi and the other U7 players.

“They were a bunch of teams playing on half ice, so that means there were literally 100 people in the stands. In a sense, that almost feels like the NHL for them,” said Brandon.

The other highlights for his son were the medal and poster each player received for their participation in the Festi-Tours.

“He liked the idea of getting a medal at the end. Everyone got a medal, so he sees that he’s a winner. They also got to have their name called when they got on the ice. They don't hear that ever usually,” said Brandon.

And of course, the Mascouche Minor Hockey Association’s mascot was a big hit with all the kids.

There’s still more hockey to come for Anienkwi in his very young career – including this coming weekend, with another U7 hockey celebration on the horizon.

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