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Q&A with Jesse Mike

Jennifer Mcphee
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Mar 25/02) - Jesse Mike represented Team Nunavut by reading the oath last week at the opening ceremonies of the Arctic Winter Games. The 16-year-old plays right wing for the girls' hockey team. But it was only after watching the women's Olympic team win gold that she realized the value of representing her people and region.

NNSLphoto

Team Nunavut hockey player Jesse Mike represented all athletes when she gave the oath at the opening ceremonies -- Jennifer McPhee/NNSL photo



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.