North Stars forward, Matthew Henry and AAA Stars' Kobie Anderson (#7), Dayne Henry (#19), Treycen Wuttunee (#10) and Easton Adrian (#27) are among those from the local Battlefords teams to be named to this year's national tournament. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

National Tournament

P.A.’s Matthew Henry among picks in 2022 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships

Mar 27, 2022 | 12:01 PM

Prince Albert’s Matthew Henry and his younger brother Dayne are headlining the 24-man roster named to represent Team Saskatchewan for the 2022 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.

Nipawin Hawks defenceman Tre Fouquette, who is a listed Prince Albert Raider and former Prince Albert Minto, also represent the community on the national stage May 7-14 in Membertou, Nova Scotia.

Featuring top aboriginal players from across the province born between the years 2004 and 2006, Matthew Henry is one of seven players on the roster from the SJHL, while the AAA Stars make up seven of the 15 from the SMAAAHL, with another two players from other leagues, including the Indigenous Sports Academy and Prairie Junior Hockey League.

Henry said it has been a goal of his for some time to be able to play in the tournament.

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“Obviously it’s a great honour to represent your culture as a Métis person and it feels great,” Henry said. “I’ve been going to those tryouts since I was in Bantam and made the team my first year [of U18] but due to COVID wasn’t able to play, and last year too, so it feels really great this year to be able to be a part of it.”

Henry added that being able to share the experience with his younger brother, AAA Stars standout Dayne Henry, just makes the experience sweeter.

“I [last] played with him in a spring hockey tournament a long time ago, but this is completely different,” he said. “This is a big tournament and a lot of people are watching so it’s a special moment for me and my brother and our family and everyone’s really happy for us.”

Dayne Henry echoed the sentiment, saying it’s an opportunity he’s also looking forward to, to don the Saskatchewan jersey and all that comes with it.

“It means a lot to be chosen to be on the team to represent the province and especially the aboriginal side of the province,” he said. “I’m proud to represent my family, my friends, North Battleford, and Prince Albert.”

On the female roster, there are a ton of Prince Albert representation as well. Jacquelyne Chief, Kelsey Ledoux, Sasha Malenfant and Bree Purcell of the Prince Albert Northern Bears made the team, as well as former Bears Scout Anderson, Penny Bellefontaine. Sharona Bird, Nikita Krayetski of the Prince Albert U15 AA Foxes were also included on the roster.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1