BY RON ARNST Photos courtesy Bemidji State University Photo Services
Turning NHL Heads
BEMIDJI , MINN . – His coach calls him the “ hottest NHL free agent prospect in North America ”, NHL General Managers Steve Yzerman and Rob Blake have come to watch him play . Zach Whitecloud is turning hockey heads these days , no doubt about it .
The 21-year-old defenseman from Brandon via Sioux Valley First Nation was recently among the select few under consideration for a spot on Canada ’ s Olympic hockey team .
Whitecloud accepted an invitation to join Team Canada for the annual Karjala Cup international tournament in Switzerland and Finland in early November of last year . He played in 2 of Team Canada ’ s 3 games and acquitted himself well .
While he was not on Team Canada ’ s final Olympic roster , Zach was humbled by the opportunity .
“ I came from playing high school hockey at Vincent Massey ( Brandon ) in Grade 9 to vying for a spot on the Men ’ s Olympic team . That ’ s just absurd .”
Zach started to skate and play hockey as many Canadians have – on a rink in his backyard .
“ We always had an outdoor rink growing up and Dad ( Tim ) always made the best backyard rinks as far as I know – and all my buddies will vouch for that .”
As he developed as a player , he began to play for more elite teams located in nearby Brandon . However , after being cut by the Brandon Wheat Kings Midget AAA team two years in a row , Zach had hit what he admits was “ rock bottom ” in his hockey career . “ I thought Brandon was going to cut me for the third straight year and I had had enough . I came to terms with going to university and getting my life started .”
But 10 minutes before registration for AAA tryouts closed , Zach decided to try again . This time he made it and ended up playing 43 regular season and 8 playoff games for the Wheat King Midgets while also attracting the attention of the Virden Oil Capitals of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League .
“ He had a good skill set , he moved the puck well and
PLAYOFF EDITION 2018 | GAME ON | 101