Dozens of members of the Ochapowace First Nation in Saskatchewan travelled to Edmonton last week to cheer on Ethan Bear, the NHL鈥檚 newest Indigenous player.
Bear, 20, is a defenseman with the Edmonton Oilers. He got his first 15 minutes of ice time last Thursday in a match against the Nashville Predators.
Bear is hardly the first Indigenous player in the league. Fred Saskamoose, joined the Chicago Blackhawks in 1954, and players like Carey Price and Jordan Nolan have made strides on their own teams.
For Bear, following in their footsteps has been an extraordinary moment.
鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty unreal,鈥� he told 麻豆传媒. 鈥淵ou know, the excitement and the nerves and everything just clashing together was pretty cool.鈥�
Sitting in the stands Thursday were Bear鈥檚 grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. The player said he was thankful to see so many familiar faces in the crowd.
And despite travelling across North America for games, Bear said his mind is never too far from home. Every summer, Bear returns home to hold a hockey camp for his community.
鈥淚鈥檓 the same kid I grew up with when I was 12 years old, skating in those rinks and going to school on the res and I鈥檓 the same person, they talk to me like I鈥檓 their friend, and we鈥檙e all basically family,鈥� he said.
The love goes both ways. The display case at his home rink is filled with photos and newspaper clippings documenting his precocious rise to hockey stardom.
Morley Watson, general manager of the Chief Denton George Memorial Complex, said it was always clear that Bear would go on to athletic greatness.
鈥淲e watched his progress, we watched the commitment that he had at a very young age. And we saw the commitment of his family. This young man was very, very special. And he had a work ethic second to none,鈥� Watson said.
Bear said he knows that every time he laces up his skates, he鈥檒l have supporters watching him from back home -- and he hopes to make them proud.
鈥淚 try to hold myself the best way I can -- you know, represent my family and my community the best way possible,鈥� he said.
Bear鈥檚 next game is Thursday, when the Oilers face off against the New York Islanders.
With a report from CTV鈥檚 Alberta Bureau Chief Janet Dirks
