Mistissini, Que. athlete helps win pro minor hockey championship after injury comeback

Israel Mianscum, recovering from injury, helped Trois-Rivières, Quebec clinch its first Eastern Collegiate Hockey League (ECHL) championship, proving to himself that he can achieve wonders with hard work and discipline.  

Mianscum, 22, is from the Cree Nation of Mistissini in northern Quebec. After a knee injury in training, he wasn't sure when he'd play next.  

"It was hard for sure. It was one of the first major injuries I've had. It was hard not being able to walk for a couple of months on crutches and especially during the season," said Mianscum. 

Mianscum had been hoping to join the Laval Rocket team in the American Hockey League (AHL), but after the injury, joined the Trois-Rivières Lions in the ECHL, a professional league that also serves as a stepping stone to the AHL and NHL.

Joining the Lions provided Mianscum a chance to both regain his form and keep his professional career on track and with a 4-1 win over the Ohio-based Toledo Walleye in Game 5 on June 8, the Lions secured the Kelly Cup on home ice.

"I think the best way to describe it for myself was it felt like a movie," Mianscum said. 

"You grow up watching the Stanley Cups or big games like that and just to be a part of it was crazy."

For Mianscum, the victory meant even more knowing his family had traveled hours to witness the moment firsthand. 

"It meant a lot. I think just having them there experiencing the same atmosphere, I was just really glad they were there to enjoy it too." 

By season's end, Mianscum had tallied seven goals and 11 assists over 57 games.

Mianscum intends to keep training in Montreal and hopes to make the jump back to the AHL next season, aiming to join Laval's roster.

It was a hard fight back to the ice, but Mianscum says he's learning just how much he can accomplish by staying focused and working hard.

"I learned is you just gotta stick with it all the time, work hard and take care of your body," said Mianscum.