Fred Sasakamoose ‘Chief Thunderstick’ National Championship celebrates its 10th anniversary

Neil Sasakamoose says his dad would be proud of the impact his namesake 'Chief Thunderstick' tournament has had on First Nations teams across the country. (Keenan Sorokan / CTV News)

A decade ago, if you had told Neil Sasakamoose what his father’s namesake hockey tournament would grow to become, he wouldn’t believe you.

Sasakamoose was busy once again this long weekend helping see through the 10th annual Fred Sasakamoose Chief Thunderstick National Championship at Merlis Belsher Place.

“He never got to see lots of things, but he never got to see how big his event would be,” Sasakamoose said. " How impactful it would be for all people across Canada."

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Fred Sasakamoose is known as the first treaty Indigenous person to play in the National Hockey League when he played 11 games for the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1953-54 season. After his playing days were over, the man from Ahtahkakoop Cree Nation then went on to become a vocal advocate for youth sports.

Neil says his dad loved celebrating the community, gathering and fostering leadership for the next generation.

“The reserve will always be there but go find your path outside of it,” Sasakamoose said of his father’s message. “But to always come home and always be a leader for your people and do what people did for your little kids. So that’s my dad. He’d be so proud today.”

The four-day tournament functions as the national championship for First Nations senior hockey — and its popularity has been rising ever since its inaugural year.

An estimated 15,000 visitors took in the action happening at both sheets of ice at Merlis Belsher Place, with 40 teams split between 32 men’s teams and eight women’s teams.

For the players, the tournament has become an annual pilgrimage that is etched into the calendar. From the Arctic Circle to remote communities on the Pacific or Atlantic coast, players come from all over the country to compete and celebrate the legacy of Chief Thunderstick.

“It means a lot to us — especially me. It means everything,” Jean Luc Hervieux said. “We have a good time every year here. It’s our favorite weekend.”

Hervieux was playing in his fifth Freddy during Sunday’s championship day along with his Pessamit Montagnais teammates. The team spent eight hours driving south to Montreal before flying to Saskatoon. And no matter the time or the cost, these players are determined to make it back every year.

“It’s our favorite weekend, especially in the dressing room,” he said. “Lots of laughter and jokes.”

Sasakamoose understands what the tournament represents among First Nations communities vying for the trophy, even if the large gathering is lost on many people in the host city.

“It’s huge,” he said. “The City of Saskatoon doesn’t realize how big this is. They don’t, but the hotels do.”

From former standout junior players to even some NHL pros seen in the building — like Calgary Flames goaltender Dustin Wolf helping coach the Treaty 7 Chiefs in the women’s bracket — Sasakamoose knows his father would be proud of the special place the Freddy holds for communities far and wide.