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Jennifer Mcphee
Northern News Services
 Team Nunavut hockey player Jesse Mike represented all athletes when she gave the oath at the opening ceremonies -- Jennifer McPhee/NNSL photo
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News/North: Why were you chosen to read the oath?
Jesse Mike: I was told that I was going to do the oath. I've done a bunch of speeches for the Host Society. And I'm an athlete that's local.
N/N: Were you nervous?
JM: I actually wasn't nervous. I felt confident. It felt good representing all the athletes.
N/N: How was your first game? (The score was 5-2 for Team NWT.)
JM: Good. We played well against the NWT. Their first two goals were a mistake. After that, everyone realized we had to start playing.
N/N: How does your first game make you feel about playing Team Alaska tonight?
JM: We beat them two years ago 7-0. And we did well against Team NWT. I'm not nervous.
N/N: Have you had time to check out any other sporting events?
JM: I watched a bit of basketball last night. Last night, we watched Team Alberta play Team Yukon to see what we could do better.
N/N: What were the try-outs this year like?
JM: It was different actually. We didn't have a lot of time. And there wasn't a lot of competition because there were only 19 people trying out. They were cutting two people.
N/N: How did you do in the last games?
JM: We got fourth. We beat Alaska. We shut them up (laughs).
N/N: Do you usually get nervous before you go out?
JM: Yes, especially since we're the home team. It's a lot of pressure.
N/N: How do you cope with that?
JM: I don't think about it usually. When I'm playing hockey, I don't see people out on the stand. It's just the first couple seconds when I jump on the ice that I have butterflies in my stomach.
N/N: Did you get excited when the women's Olympic team won gold medals?
JM: Yes I did. Very much. That's what got me more excited about the games. I never really thought about the games until then. Representing people and your region is a big thing. I didn't realize that. I'd rather stay here than go somewhere else. The host society has done a lot of work.
N/N: What do you like about hockey?
JM: The game itself and the competition. With hockey you have to learn how to skate, then you have to learn how to play the game. It takes a long time to learn. It took me a long time. I still don't know everything.
N/N: What are the parts of the game you'd like to get better at?
JM: Playing smarter. Setting up shots. And being able to play with a team where they know what I can do and I'll know what they're going to do.
N/N: How do you practise?
JM: I work out. We didn't practise with our team (before the games). We practised after our first game. That's what's interesting -- to see how far we get after not playing with each other. We don't get to play in a lot of competitions. I haven't played in a competition in over a year.
N/N: When did you start playing?
JM: When I was 10 or 11. I had two cousins. They are both guys. They played street hockey and I played with them. They always went out to hockey practice and I decided I wanted to try it so I did. I tried other sports. I played almost every sport that was here in town. I didn't like any of them. And then I tried hockey.
N/N: Are you better than most of the guys at your school?
JM: I wouldn't like to say that (laughs).
N/N: Who is your favourite hockey player?
JM: Haley Wickenheiser.
N/N: Why do you like her?
JM: Because she's a good player, she's a leader. She's awesome.
N/N: What is your jersey number?
JM: 13
N/N: I guess you're not superstitious.
JM: I was born on Friday the 13th.
N/N: Do you know your team-mates well now?
JM: I've played with some of them before. I hang out with them, stay in the same room as them, watch hockey with them.
N/N: What has been the highlight of the AWG so far?
JM: Playing hockey and winning the gold medal. Just kidding (laughs).
N/N: Are you having fun?
JM: Lots of fun.
