Ice helps heal wounds
NHL veterans redirect young athletes' focus after community tragedy
Derek Neary
Northern News Services
Saturday, June 3, 2017
QAUSUITTUQ/RESOLUTE
A couple of NHL alumni came to Resolute Bay with a positive message following the tragic death of a man in a standoff with police several months earlier.
Mike Stephens of Resolute Bay, National Hockey Legends president Steve Walton, and Jushua Atagootak were among those at the arena in Resolute Bay for an April visit by NHL alumni Al Iafrate and Mike Lalor. - photo courtesy of Mike Stephens
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Devon Manik, a participant in the hockey clinic with Mike Lalor and Al Iafrate, was one of the youth who received that uplifting message in April.
"Al showed me how to do the right kind of slapshot and Mike showed me power skating, how to improve my skating and speed," said Manik, 16, who plays forward and defence. "I can shoot much harder now. They told me to keep up what I'm doing and one day I'll be great."
Just because the former pros are getting up there in years - Lalor is 54, Iafrate is 51 - they still possessed enough skills to "wow" the young Resolute players.
Just ask Manik, who was impressed by Iafrate's hustle on blades.
"He's fast," Manik said. "It's hard to keep up with him."
Manik said his future plans include attaining a university degree and continuing to play hockey.
'Positive theme'
Senior administrative officer Mike Stephens arranged the NHL veterans' visit, which was funded by the Qikiqtani Inuit Association.
Stephens was searching for a way to steer the attention of young Resolute residents back toward a "positive theme" following the death of a hamlet employee involved in a prolonged standoff with police in November.
"It completely rattled the whole community and put a damper on Christmas festivities," Stephens said of the community of close to 200 people. "Many of the kids were reliving the incident by discussion on a daily basis."
Stephens got in touch with National Hockey Legends president Steve Walton and sorted out the details for the trip to Resolute Bay. On April 11, Lalor - a defenceman who amassed 105 points in his 687-game pro career - and Iafrate - also a defenceman who racked up 463 points over 799 professional games - landed in Resolute. The former NHLers made a stop at Qarmartalik School in addition to the hockey camp, which spanned a few days.
"Mike wore his Stanley Cup ring, which was a big hit," Stephens said of Lalor's championship season with the 1986 Montreal Canadiens. "They were great gentlemen and very patient with the kids."
The crowd at the arena to watch the hockey clinic was remarkable, according to Stephens.
"It was almost wall-to-wall people there one day," he said. "It was hard to believe how many people showed up."
The momentum hasn't been lost either, Stephens noted. Prior to the visit by the former NHL players, two or three youth would show up at the arena for activities, but since the skills clinic, there's been 10 to 15 young athletes turning out regularly.
"We had to change focus somehow," Stephens said.
