The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) youth hockey tournament was an opportunity for Saskatchewan’s Indigenous youth to showcase their skills and have fun playing the sport they love.

The FSIN youth tournament brought in thousands of people through the doors to witness future heroes take the ice.

Kali Whitehawk, 10, from Cote First Nation, played with Team Yorkton Tribal Council (YTC) who were champs in their division. Whitehawk, who plays defence, said she has been playing hockey since she was six-years-old. It was her first time playing in the FSIN youth hockey tournament and said the experience was fun.

“It felt great. I feel so happy playing and winning,” she said.

After high school, Whitehawk wants to continue playing hockey with hopes of making it big to follow the footsteps of her mentor, Team Canada Olympian Brigette Lacquette, who is also from the Cote First Nation.

On the male side, Rico Opikokew played with Team Canoe Lake in the midget division. He isn’t a stranger when it comes to the FSIN youth hockey tournament. He’s played in the FSIN youth hockey tournament for the past seven years with this year as his final competition.

Opikokew, 17, has been playing hockey for over 10 years and loves everything about the sport.

“I love the feeling of meeting new people and being around family and friends,” he said.

Over the years, he said his team has won a few tournaments that kept him coming back each year. This year, Team Canoe Lake took a loss to Team Ahtahkakoop. The soon-to-be high school graduate hopes to go to college and continue to play hockey.

“I look up to Connor McDavin [from the Edmonton Oilers],” said Opikokew who was also the captain of Team Canoe Lake.

The FSIN youth hockey tournament gave athletes such as Whitehawk and Opikokew a memorable experience to take home.