Together since Grade 6: Team N.W.T.'s '3 amigos' to play last volleyball games at Indigenous Games
Together, the boys have played an estimated 50 competitive games since middle school
Yellowknife's Taltson McQueen, Devon Fillion, and Braden Johnston have stuck together since Grade 6.
The three volleyball players on Team N.W.T. have now graduated high school, and are competing together this week in Toronto at the 2017 North American Indigenous Games.
But this is probably their last big tournament.
"It is kind of bittersweet to be honest," said Fillion, who said he's been playing with his buddies for "as long as [he] can remember."
"Obviously we're guys. We're not gonna show our emotions and all that but like, it does hit the feels."
The inseparable trio has played an estimated 50 competitive games together since middle school. The competition at the games is one of their last big tournaments before they part ways as young adults.
"We weren't the closest right away but volleyball brought us together," said Fillion.
McQueen has a name for his crew: "The three amigos."
McQueen explained that the friends managed to stick together each time they moved up a grade. His most memorable moments were at the yearly Lawrie Hobart Volleyball Tournaments in Fort Smith, N.W.T. where they took gold for three years straight.
"We stayed the three top players and we won it each year together," said McQueen.
Johnston said their friendship, on and off the court, shows during their games.
"I just know that I can trust them," he said. "When I give them the ball, I just know that they're going to do something with it."
- LIVE BLOG | Catch athletes from Nunavut, N.W.T., Yukon in action
- Team Nunavut dominating in badminton at the North American Indigenous Games
On Thursday Team N.W.T. faces Saskatchewan and three other teams. Playoff action will begin on Friday.
With files from Alyssa Mosher, Peter Sheldon