Gjoa Haven (Oct 18/04) - Eli Hiqiniq was born to skate. It all started with an afternoon hockey and skating program at Qiqirtaq school in Gjoa Haven years ago.

Hiqiniq, born and raised in Gjoa Haven, laced up a pair of rental skates at the school. From the moment he hit the ice on the pond close to town, he was a natural at gliding around the ice with ease and playing hockey.

Eli Hiqiniq, 40, remembers how the thrilling Canada-Russia hockey game in 1972 made him a fan forever. - photo courtesy of Lee Bird

"I was one of the first to start skating. I always liked it," said Hiqiniq, speaking from Qiqirtaq school where he works as a Grade 7 teacher.

Hiqiniq, 40, plays hockey three times a week in Gjoa Haven and is known by other teammates to be unstoppable once he gets possession of the puck.

His skill comes from his love of the game. Hiqiniq remembers with fondness the day his dad brought home the family's first television set.

It was 1972 and the Canada-Russian hockey series was the first show Hiqiniq recalls watching.

From then on, Hiqiniq was hooked on hockey. It was a love that was galvanized forever after he and a dozen classmates took a trip to Montreal to watch a Canadiens-Buffalo Sabres game in the 1980s.

Began on school trip

"I was at school taking some upgrading classes in adult education. We raised the money to go on the trip," he recalls.

They stayed there for 10 days.

Hiqiniq is still a Montreal Canadiens fan to this day because of that memorable journey.

These days, Hiqiniq thinks NHL games are a lot rougher than they used to be. He doesn't think wearing a visor on your helmet to protect your eyes is wimpy. He thinks it's smart.

"Those guys, they are professional hockey players, but they are just like you and me and they need to protect themselves," he said.

Hiqiniq is known as one of the fastest and best hockey players in Gjoa Haven, ut he's never been injured playing the game.

As a teacher for 17 years now, Hiqiniq knows he's got to protect himself while he's out there on the ice.

Does he wear a visor? Absolutely. And he hopes the youth follow his lead.