WIKWEMIKONG—In what promises to be an exciting finish to Wikwemikong’s winter fun day, the Thunderbird Arena will play host to a number of First Nations NHL greats on Saturday, January 28 when they take on the Wikwemikong Tribal Police team.
Reggie “the Riverton Rifle” Leach, the right winger from Riverton, Manitoba who played 13 seasons in the NHL, known most notably for his time with the Philadelphia Flyers, now resides in Aundeck Omni Kaning. Mr. Leach told The Expositor that he came up with the idea for a First Nations NHL alumni team to tour Canadian First Nations with their inspirational stories and talks of good sportsmanship last year, with one game coming to fruition at Akwesasne Mohawk Nation, near Cornwall. This year, that same group is meeting up once again, this time with a stop at Wikwemikong organized by John Chabot (of Canadiens, Penguins and Red Wings fame).
“I always wanted to put a Native alumni game together,” Mr. Leach explained. “We did it and it worked out well.”
Fans can expect to see the likes of Brian Trottier (seven-time Stanley Cup champion), Arron Asham (Canadiens, Islanders, Flyers, Penguins, Rangers), Dan Frawley (Blackhawks, Penguins), Denny Lambert (Mighty Ducks, Senators, Thrashers), Jamie Leach (Panthers, two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Penguins, and also Reggie Leach’s son), Brandon Nolan (Hurricanes), John Chabot, Reggie Leach “and our token white guy,” The Rifle joked, Ric Nattress (Blues, a Stanley Cup with the Flames, Maple Leafs, Flyers), take to the ice on January 28.
“The reason we want to do this is because we want to show the young Native kids that you can go beyond in hockey instead of just being stuck on the reserve,” Mr. Leach said. “We’re from all different parts of Canada, but it all comes down to working hard and being dedicated.”
“I have so many people calling me about this now; we’re already planning for next year,” he added, noting that he hopes to lace up for between 20 and 25 games.
While plans are still in the works and not yet firmed up by press time Monday, Mr. Leach was hoping the players would be able to spend some time in the community before the game to share their inspirational stories.
An admission fee, yet to be determined by press deadline, will be charged as a fundraiser for Wikwemikong Parents for Minor Sports. Some VIP tickets will also be available which will include an autograph session. See next week’s newspaper and The Expositor Facebook page for more details as they become available.
The puck drops at 8:30 pm at Wikwemikong’s Thunderbird Arena on Saturday, January 28.
