Meet Team Eastern Door and the North 

Seven players from Kahnawake will be a part of Team Eastern Door and the North (EDN) in this May’s U18 National Aboriginal Hockey Championship in Kamloops, British Columbia.

“The selection process was tough this year. We had a lot of great players that showed up to camp. Everyone worked hard and put their best effort, but like all camps players get cut, and that’s a rough part of coaching. We’re hoping that we have a great showing this year,” said Kahnawa’kehró:non Mike Stacey, assistant coach for the boys’ EDN team.

Here are the seven players from town who will be a part of the boys and girls EDN teams!

Camden Jackson

Jackson was unable to join the tryouts at the Kahnawake Sports Complex due to prior commitments with his team, the U18 AAA Chateauguay Grenadiers.

Still wanting to attempt to make the team, he sent in game tape of himself. The tape, along with the coaching staff’s knowledge of Jackson as a player, helped secure his spot on the roster.

“I was surprised and happy,” said Jackson, who will be playing for Team EDN for the first time.

He is hoping to play well at the tournament, and his routine with the Grenadiers is helping him hone his skills.

“’I have a rigorous workout with my club team,” said Jackson. “I am on the ice six times a week and in the gym twice a week.”

Hayse Horne

Goaltender Hayse Horne will be joining Team EDN for the first time, making the team in her first time trying out.

“I was shocked and in disbelief to know I made the team,” said Horne.

The tryout process for goaltenders was different than for skaters. Scrimmages were played, and each period a goalie would take the net to show off what they were capable of.

She said she is very excited for the tournament, but is also feeling nervous, and not just because of the actual games – the trip to Kamloops will be her first time ever travelling on a plane.

To prepare, Horne said she will be working on her puck tracking skills off the ice.

Horne plays AAA hockey for the U15 Lac St. Louis Warriors and also played for Kahnawake Survival School’s U15 team this year.

Ioteseronties Marcus Diabo

Diabo is returning to the team for the second time, having made it last year.

“Officially making team EDN for the second year in a row is nothing short of exciting,” said Diabo. “I was very excited for another new experience and meeting new people.”

He feels as though he has something to prove this year, as he felt that results-wise, his tournament last year was disappointing.

“I didn’t get the results I wanted, and I want to change that this year,” said Diabo. “My goal for this year’s tournament is to prove to myself that I’ve grown since last year.”

To do so, he said he’s been training hard on the physical and mental side of his game.

Diabo currently plays U18 AA hockey for the Suroit Express.

Pryor Stacey

Stacey will be returning to the crease for his second stint with Team EDN looking to improve on last year’s tournament.

“It didn’t end up going our way, but we all as a team put in a good effort,” said Stacey. “I feel really happy and confident with our team this year.”

Stacey said the tryouts were a very demanding process, even though he missed the first day due to other commitments. He was happy that he was chosen, but not necessarily surprised.

“I was really confident in making it, so when the list came out, I wasn’t really surprised because I was confident that I was the best goalie there,” said Stacey.

He said that he will focus on playing his game in Kamloops, and he has been working with an adviser to help with the mental side of hockey.

“He helps big time with that,” said Stacey.

He currently plays U17 AAA hockey for the Lac. St. Louis Grenadiers.

Rohsennakehte Lahache

Lahache will also be returning to the team for the second year in a row, something that he is very glad to have accomplished.

“I was very proud of myself that I could be a returning player for Team EDN,” said Lahache. “I was really pumped that I could join team EDN once again for another amazing trip to go play hockey with the boys.”

He said that physically, he will be working hard to get ready for the tournament.

“I will try my best to work on my body, work on cardio, get in the gym, and maybe put on a couple pounds,” said Lahache.

That being said, he is not putting too much pressure on himself – he wants to make the most of the tournament, on and off the ice.

His goals are to stay positive, be confident, be a good teammate, and bond with the team and come together to have fun, no matter what.

Lahache is currently a teammate of Diabo’s for the AA Suroit Express.

Ryan Stacey

Stacey, the captain of the girls’ EDN team last year, returns to the roster this year looking to make the most of the tournament.

“When I found out I made the team, I was pretty excited, I had a lot of fun last year,” said Stacey. “When I get to the tournament, I just want to have fun with my team, score some goals, and win some games.”

She is currently a teammate of Horne’s on the AAA Lac St. Louis Warriors, where the time with the team on and off the ice will help her prepare, she said.

“I’m still on the ice four times a week and I go to the gym with my hockey team,” said Stacey.

Waheshon Curotte

Curotte made the team in her first time trying out.

She said the tryouts made her nervous, because a lot of very talented players were there trying to make team EDN.

When she got the confirmation she made the team, she said it made her very proud of herself.

“I was happy, and I could not believe I made it,” said Curotte.

Her ideal scenario for Kamloops? Learn and make the most of her time there.

“My goal is to play my best and gain experience,” she said.

Curotte currently plays in the Kahnawake Mohawks Minor Hockey Association.

[email protected]