Ray Webb is passionate about hockey. The KDFN Citizen coaches and manages the Kwanlin Dün Predators, a hockey team made up of young men from the community.

 

“I have an awesome group,” says Ray about the team. “I’m proud of those kids.”

 

The Predators have been on a winning streak lately. This March, the Predators won first place in C Division at the 44th Annual Kilrich Yukon Native Hockey Tournament in Whitehorse. In February, the team took home gold in the B division of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) Native Hockey Tournament. That tournament took place over 1200 km away in Inuvik, Northwest Territories. Ray says just getting to the games can be tough. The first time the team went to Inuvik, they ended up stuck for eight hours. This year though, it was smooth sailing.

 

“The driving is quite far. That road ain’t the greatest. If you don’t get stuck, it’s great,” says Ray.

 

 

With their latest wins gassing up the team, the Predators now have their sights set on the Fred Sasakamoose “Chief Thunderstick” National Hockey Championships. Named after Fred Sasakamoose, one of the first Indigenous NHL players, the tournament is on from May 16 to 19 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The invite only event brings together the top Indigenous hockey teams from all over turtle island. Ray says the KDFN Predators are the first ever Yukon team to be invited.

 

“That tournament is going to be interesting because you’re playing against the best of the best,” says Ray. “We’re playing against teams that have been playing real good hockey.”

 

Ray has been coaching the Predators for nine years now. While he loves the game, he also wants to give back to the community.

 

“It’s about keeping the younger generation away from the street. In my eyes, it’s about giving these kids opportunities,” says Ray. “I’m doing it for them and they enjoy it.

 

Ray is optimistic that the Predators will do well in Saskatoon. He also hopes to return to Inuvik and have the Predators compete in the IRC Native Hockey Tournament again, though this time, in the A division.

 

Follow the action at: www.chiefthunderstick.com/