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
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