By Derek Cornet

Ice Wolves to honour recent passing of former player with moment of silence

Jan 28, 2019 | 1:55 PM

There will be a moment of silence Jan. 31 to remember former La Ronge Ice Wolves forward Nakehko Lamothe who passed away Friday.

MacEwan University released a statement about the 23-year-old’s passing, stating he was a member of the Griffins men’s hockey team and died Jan. 26. It noted Lamothe became unwell after playing a hockey game in Calgary and was rushed to the Foothills Hospital, where he later died just before midnight. 

“It’s difficult to comprehend the pain Nakehko’s family is going through right now,” said University President Dr. Deborah Saucier. “We will do whatever we can to assist them during this tragic time.”

Lamothe was in his third year with the Griffins after joining the program in 2016 following two seasons with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s La Ronge Ice Wolves. During the 2016 playoffs, he was honoured with awards for Most Valuable Player and Most Community-Minded. The Ice Wolves will hold a moment of silence Jan. 31 before they face off against the Notre Dame Hounds at the Mel Hegland Uniplex.

Former Ice Wolves Head Coach Shawn Martin recalled Lamothe’s time with the team, stating he was a big part of the reason they made it to playoffs. During the 2015-2016 season, Martin noted Lamothe suffered a major concussion and missed nearly two months of games before he returned to the rink.

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“He came back right before playoffs and he ended up leading our team in scoring,” Martin said. “He was a guy who put a lot of effort and heart into what he did. It’s unfortunate because he was one of those kids you knew had a bright future moving forward.”

As a member of the Bigstone Cree Nation in Calling Lake, AB, Martin also mentioned Lamothe was proud of his Indigenous heritage, wanted people to know he was someone who grew up on a reserve and how he was playing Junior ‘A’ hockey. Lamothe also enjoyed his time in La Ronge, Martin said, adding many people saw him as a role model.

Rob Wilson was the director of hockey operations with the Ice Wolves when Lamothe was on the team and said the hockey community is currently mourning his passing. He stated Lamothe was the type of person who would be the first one to help and the last one to leave, noting he was involved with local young people by volunteering for minor hockey and visiting the schools. Wilson also praised Lamothe’s time on the ice.

“I always referred to him as one of the toughest, nicest guys I know,” he said. “When it was time to go to battle, he was the first one in, but off the ice, he was one of the nicest guys you’ll know.”

With the Griffins, Lamothe played a vital role by helping the team win back-to-back Alberta Colleges Athletic Association titles in 2017 and 2018.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno