Opening ceremonies
Membertou hosting 2018 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships
Members of the Team Atlantic join with players from across the country in throwing their arms in the air during the opening ceremonies of the 2018 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre on Sunday evening. The weeklong competition features bantam- and midget-aged players representing various regions across Canada. The tournament boasts both male and female divisions, with a total of 20 teams. Local players are on Team Atlantic.
At just 15 years of age, Sonny Kabatay has already experienced the thrill of competitive hockey.
The fast-skating Membertou resident has played at the top levels of both bantam and midget while being a regular selection for his age group’s Nova Scotia representative teams.
And while the future is looking equally bright for Kabatay, the soft-spoken young man lights up when talking of playing in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships that kicked off on Sunday at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre.
“This is very special – we’re the host team and this is my first time competing in this tournament, so I’m really excited,” said Kabatay, a prospect for the upcoming Québec Major Junior Hockey League entry draft who picked up two assists in Team Atlantic’s competition-opening 6-5 loss to Alberta.
The loss was especially heartbreaking for the host team as it led 4-0 late in the second period. However, the westerners halved the deficit with two goals in 17 seconds before the stanza was over and then continued the comeback in the third to tie the game. Team Atlantic restored its lead on a Jacob Denny goal, but the partisan crowd was stunned when the visitors scored two goals in the final minute, including the game-winner with just nine seconds left, to leave the hosts wondering how the contest got away.
But following the game, smiling and laughing members of both the male and female Atlantic squads joined players from the other 18 teams at the championship’s opening ceremonies that also attracted about 500 friends, family members and fans.
Donned in his colourful red, white and black regalia, Chief Terry Paul welcomed the visitors to the Membertou First Nation.
“This is our home and for the next week it is your home – you are welcome here,” said Paul, who officially opened the tournament with the official puck drop between the captains of New Brunswick and Saskatchewan teams prior to their Sunday evening game.
“This is an amazing experience for our community and a tremendous opportunity to exchange culture as well as showcasing the amazing talent of Indigenous hockey players from across the country.”
Team Atlantic’s female squad dropped its opening match 7-4 to Ontario North. The girls are back on the ice today at 12:15 p.m. when they take on Team Alberta.
Meanwhile, the Atlantic boys have the day off and return to the ice on Tuesday for a 6:15 p.m. match against British Columbia.
The competition continues through the week with the championship and bronze medal games scheduled for Saturday in both the male and female divisions.