2 First Nations players from Manitoba drafted to NHL credit family support

Two First Nations hockey players from Manitoba were selected in last week's National Hockey League draft.

"I can't put it into words, that's a dream come true," Carter Bear said.

Bear, a member of Peguis First Nation, and Hayden Paupanekis, a member of Norway House Cree Nation, were among three First Nations players drafted, the other being new Philadelphia Flyer Jack Nesbitt of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory in Ontario.

The Detroit Red Wings selected Bear in the first round, 13th overall, while Paupanekis was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the third round, the 69th overall pick.

Bear, a former Everett Silvertips star, says he hugged his mom and dad after getting off stage in Los Angeles, the site of this year's NHL Draft. 

He said his parents are his role models.

"It's family for me and I gotta do it for my family and community," he said.

Paupanekis, a former Kelowna Rocket, also says his parents' support was crucial.

"They helped me through all the ups and downs, you know, just my journey, moving away at 16, they've been there whenever I need them, no matter what," he said.

Peter Woods, executive director of Hockey Manitoba, said he was proud of the Manitoba hockey scene's showing at this year's draft.

"There was eight players that we got drafted out of our province, which is about twice the number that we usually get drafted and then also on top of that when you get two Indigenous players," he said.

"That's very exciting."

Woods had words of encouragement for players from the province cutting their teeth in local rinks and junior leagues.

"You might have a setback at one point but don't give up," he said.

"Continue to work hard, put your best foot forward and make sure you're a team player and then no doubt the success will come."

Currently, there are five First Nations players under contracts to NHL teams, not including Bear, Paupanekis, or Nesbitt. 

CBC Indigenous asked the players what separates their game from anyone else.

Bear said, "I just want to win every shift."

"I don't like to take a shift off at all. I don't want to be lazy so I think it's just me not taking a shift off and I wanted to win every battle, every shift."

The 6-foot-5 Paupanekis challenged stereotypes of being a player of size.

"Everybody thinks I'm just a big guy and a lot of people think big guys are just supposed to be physical," he said.

"That's part of my game, but I also have a really skilled game and I'm a skilled forward, too."

Bear and Paupanekis hope to follow in the footsteps of other First Nations players from Manitoba who have hoisted the Stanley Cup, like Reggie Leach of Berens River First Nation and Zach Whitecloud of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation.