M’CHIGEENG—M’Chigeeng First Nation band member Kevin Eshkawkogan has become the first Indigenous citizen elected to the Greater Toronto Hockey League board of directors.
“I’ve been around the game of hockey a lot in my life and feel it is important to give back to the game,” said Mr. Eshkawkogan. Mr. Eshkawkogan had previously served a two-year term with the Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) board (2019-2021) as a director with district seven which takes in the area of Manitoulin Island, some of the North Shore, and contributed to the Hockey Quality initiative.
Mr. Eshkawkogan was elected for a three-year term at the GTHL annual meeting in July.
He is also the president and chief executive officer of Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO). Mr. Eshkawkogan has two residences, one in Little Current and a home in Vaughan.
The GTHL is the world’s largest amateur hockey league, having about 10,000 registered players every season.
The GTHL also has dozens of committees, and Mr. Eshkawkogan will serve on four, the diversity, equity and inclusion committee, the GTHL summit task team, the risk management committee and legacy fund committee.
Mr. Eshkawkogan has also previously served as president of the Manitoulin Panthers, and as president of the Manitoulin Islanders for two years. Last season he was the manager of his son Kohyn’s hockey team, (North York Rangers Under-16 AAA team). He has also been involved in the Little Native Hockey League tournament, as head coach, assistant coach, manager and trainer for several participating teams over the years.
“It’s important to give back to the game of hockey,” added Mr. Eshkawkogan.
