Jefferson Hagen, MacEwan Athletics
EDMONTON – In the mourning period following Nakehko Lamothe's passing last January, MacEwan Griffins hockey players spoke of a commitment to continue his legacy of helping others.
Inspired by their teammate who went out of his way to mentor young hockey players, Griffins players are continuing a program that he started by welcoming Indigenous youth from across Alberta to MacEwan University on Monday to be a 'Griffin for a Day.'
"We're just thrilled to keep it moving forward," said Griffins men's hockey captain Cam Gotaas. "If we can even fill half of his shoes and what he did, I think we're off to a pretty good start."
Initially called 'Shadow Day' when Lamothe started the program during the 2017-18 season, the Griffins have expanded it this season to include 15 boys and 15 girls, who will be on campus Monday, going to classes and workouts with Griffins players. The kids will also get on the ice with the teams later in the afternoon.
"This means a lot to the MacEwan hockey program because it allows us to continue the work he started in providing more opportunity to youth in showing them that there are more options out there then what they see on a day-to-day basis," said women's hockey player Shyla Jans, who co-organized last year's day with Lamothe and has taken the initiative in setting it up this year. "Continuing this program allows for him to still be here with us."
Helping Indigenous youth succeed is what Lamothe was passionate about.
After helping to run a hockey program for kids in the summer with an elder in his hometown of Calling Lake, they were watching Hockey Night in Canada together and saw an interview with then-Hobey Baker hopeful Devin Buffalo (Dartmouth) about growing up in Wetaskiwin and his desire to be a positive influence on aboriginal youth.
The idea for the 'Griffin for a Day' program was hatched.
"The program itself represents who Nakehko was," explained Jans. "He gave everything he had to those boys and giving back to the community. He exemplified the three pillars of being a student-athlete – academics, athletics and community service. But within each of those, he was always the hardest worker, even when it came to community service.
"He trained the boys up north in the summers and billeted them in the winter for them to have an opportunity to play hockey in Edmonton at a higher level and so much more."
Griffins players will have a chance to serve as an inspiration, just like Lamothe was.
"I think Nakehko believed he was fortunate to be able to live out his (hockey) dream and go to school," said Gotaas. "It just shows these kids that there's lots to look forward to. There's lots of opportunity out there if you stay on the right path and set your aspirations high … we're living pretty good lives here.
"Hopefully we can show them how great it is to be a student-athlete."
