By Jeff D'Andrea

1st Aboriginal Canadian NHL’er Sasakamoose honoured at Senators Cup

Apr 11, 2015 | 9:41 PM

It was 62 years ago that Fred Sasakamoose received news that would change his life and hockey history, forever.

In 1953, Sasakamoose was in the Moose Jaw Canucks’ dressing room after his team was eliminated in the Western Canada Junior Hockey League playoffs by the Regina Pats. Sasakamoose figured he was going to return home to the Ahtakakoop Indian Reserve and retire from the game of hockey after four years in the Friendly City.

But Canucks general manager George Vogan entered the dressing room holding a telegram from the Chicago Blackhawks, who were calling up Sasakamoose. At that moment, Sasakamoose was about to be the first ever Aboriginal Canadian to play in the NHL.

“When they opened it, it said ‘Fred Sasakamoose, report immediately to the Chicago Blackhawks. You’ll be playing Hockey Night in Canada in Toronto, on the 17^th of February, 1953.’ The room just went quiet,” said Sasakamoose, whose face lit up under his silver Chicago Blackhawks cap. “I never thought in my life it would be me. It was a thrill; a man could never explain the feeling when they opened that telegram.”

It was fitting that the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) made sure the 81-year-old Sasakamoose, the Aboriginal NHL pioneer, was a part of the first Senator’s Cup Aboriginal Full Contact Hockey Tournament this weekend at the Art Hauser Centre. Sasakamoose dropped the ceremonial faceoff along with PAGC Grand Chief Ron Michel and gave a speech at the opening ceremonies.

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Many Aboriginal players have followed in Sasakamoose footsteps since and made it to the NHL, like two participants in the Senators Cup including Kelly Guard and Darren Reid. Sasakamoose reminisced about New York Islanders legend Bryan Trottier, who’s of Metis decent from Val Marie. Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, and former Prince Albert Raider Kyle Chipchura are some current NHL examples. 

“A lot of times, people say (to me), ‘you paved a way into the life of Indian people,’” said Sasakamoose. “It’s like what you’d call Willie O’Ree, who paved a way for black people into the NHL, (Jackie) Robinson did it in baseball.

“When I see all the Aboriginal people coming after me, it gives you that moment of pride, of joy, being an Indian.”

He didn’t always feel that way. When Sasakamoose first moved into white society in Moose Jaw, it was a very difficult transition at first.

“I was ashamed when I went to Moose Jaw to be an Indian—I was ashamed,” said Sasakamoose. “Now it’s different. Now they’re with me.”

Although Sasakamoose was the trail blazer, he had some help. He credits all his coaches and teachers, especially his Moose Jaw Canucks teams for developing his skills. But he gives his wife Loretta the bulk of the credit. Fred and Loretta will celebrate their 60^th anniversary together on July 22. She stuck by even when things were tough.

“We had no power, we had no electricity, we had no running water (and it was) 60 below outside. I think my wife deserves everything,” said Sasakamoose. “She deserves everything.”

Sasakamoose’s NHL career lasted only 11 games. Although he could have played in a world tournament and could have made a lot more money that the $6,000 contract he earned with the Blackhawks, Sasakamoose decided to move back home to be with Loretta and focus on family.

“You exchange glory, pride, from choices that you make for your wife,” said Sasakamoose. “The riches that I have, 116 grandchildren and great grandchildren—116. You call that riches? You bet.

“Money is not of value. Gordie Howe (talked) with me. I said ‘Gordie, how much money did you get when you played.’ He said, ‘I just got a jacket from the Detroit Red Wings.’ I said, ‘that’s all you wanted?’ He said, ‘that’s all. I wanted to play in the NHL, money was nothing, nothing at all.”

Senators Cup wrap; and then there were four

Only four teams remain in contention for the Senators Cup championship.

English River will face the La Ronge 89ers on Sunday at 10 a.m., with the winner headed straight to the finals. The loser of that game will still have another chance to make the finals and will play the winner of Sandy Lake-P.A Kings Sunday at 11:30 a.m.

How they got there

English River was the first team to make it to the final four, beating the P.A. Kings 4-3 in a shootout. Ex-Raider Craig McCallum scored twice in the second half for English River and had the lone goal in the shootout.

The Kings then squeezed by the CIBN Northern Jets 5-4 to stay alive in the tournament. Sandy Lake will hope to exact revenge for Friday’s 3-1 defeat.

Like English River, the La Ronge 89ers are the only other undefeated team left in the tournament, having won both their games so far.

The championship game is scheduled for 3 p.m.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea