• Age: 9
• Grade: 4

People of Mi'kmaq Nation in Nova Scotia were playing a type of ice hockey in the late 1600s. Over the centuries, the role of the First Nations in that sport has been marked by innate ability, enthusiasm and many challenges. Sandy Lake Cree member Fred Sasakamoose of the Chicago Blackhawks was the first Native to play in the National Hockey League. His achievements were the beginning of a proud history of First Nations hockey players who became NHL heroes on and off the ice. The stories of these great players -- Inuit, Ojibwa, Mohawk, Metis, Mi'kmaq, Cree and many other NHL stars with First Nations roots -- are highlighted with current players such as Jonathan Cheechoo, Carey Price, Sheldon Souray and Jordin Tootoo as well as tales of hockey greats such as Bryan Trottier, Reggie Leach, Stan Jonathan, Theoren Fleury and Grant Fuhr.

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First Nations Hockey Players

This meticulously researched book features fifty profiles of current players, legends and the top ten Aboriginal hockey players. NHL players who became heroes both “on and off the ice” are featured. Commencing with a brief history of Aboriginal hockey (“ice shinny”), each profile describes how these players pursued careers in hockey, personal stat records and individual motivations such as being inspired by parents, as an outlet for frustrations or an escape from poverty, or as a personal commitment to fitness. Learn who first discovered the players pro hockey talent, how they rose to MVP status, achieved honours and awards, and the harsh downside of success: burnout, racism and addiction. Some players signed $15 to $27 million dollar contracts, while several broke the barriers for generations to follow.