Meet the female Red River Métis athletes competing on Team Manitoba for the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships

May 5, 2023

Indigenous athletes from around the nation are preparing to come to Winnipeg for the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships' (NAHC) 20th anniversary.  

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) has partnered with the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council (MASRC) to support our Red River Métis athletes. Last year, the MMF donated $50,000 to the MASRC for the 2023 NAHC. The MMF is proud to support the championships and showcase our high-level athletes.

"It's a big milestone for Indigenous hockey in Canada," said Richard Genaille, Minister of Sports and Youth. "We're very excited to be a partner with the host of this great tournament that's going to showcase a lot of our Red River Métis talent that we have in Manitoba."

As part of a targeted investment into professional and structured sports development for Red River Métis Youth, the MMF supports Red River Métis Youth elite athletes through the Believe Athletic and Artistic Support Program.

Through a variety of camps, the MMF is committed to introducing Youth to the fundamentals of sports so they can develop their skills.

"Our sports camps pique new interest in Youth. Some may have never experienced participating in hockey," said Minister Genaille. "It's not something that maybe their families could afford to put their kids in, so having this program allows them access to be able to try new things or gain new skills, along with sportsmanship and building teamwork skills."

Your Red River Métis Government also offers $350 for Youth towards registered arts, culture, sports, and recreation activities through the Individual Youth Sponsorship.

"You know the high cost of registration for sports, especially when you play hockey, the price of participation is expensive," said Minister Genaille. "Investing $350 in Youth is paying off, because we've got high-calibre athletes representing Manitoba now".

This high-calibre tournament showcases Canada's best young Indigenous athletes, from U18 AAA, Prep School, and junior hockey. Seven female teams and eight male squads will compete in two separate tournaments to bring home the gold medal.

"As a Red River Métis assistant coach, it is a privilege to be able to lead the best U18 Indigenous players in Manitoba to the NAHC championships," said Katie Bassett, assistant coach for Team Manitoba. "This tournament is a very meaningful experience for both myself and the players. This competition is a fantastic chance to highlight our team's abilities and culture. Being able to guide and mentor these players is a rewarding privilege."     

The tournament runs from May 8-13 at Seven Oaks Sportsplex. The U18 Indigenous male and female athletes will compete in separate round-robin tournaments. Last year, the female Team Manitoba squad remained undefeated to bring home the gold in Membertou, Nova Scotia, and 10 returning players are looking to reclaim the title once again.

Fourteen Red River Métis athletes round out the roster of 20 U18 Indigenous players on Team Manitoba. Here are the female Red River Métis athletes competing at the 2023 NAHC!

Addison Dyck #13
Age: 16
Region: Winnipeg
Position: Forward
Favourite hockey team/player: Winnipeg Jets, Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg Jets)

Achievements:

• Chosen as the Players Player for the Assiniboine Park Rangers in peewee league
• Captain of U18 Assiniboine Park Rangers last year

"I am very proud to be representing Manitoba and the MMF at the NAHC."  

_{Photo credit: Athletes Image Sports Photography}

Anya Misner #9
Age: 18
Region: Southeast
Position: Forward
Favourite hockey team: Winnipeg Jets

"The MMF was very generous in their support, helping cover half the cost of attending (last year's) event. This was a huge help to our family and made it possible for me and my sister Linnéa to attend and have the experience of a lifetime. This was a very special week for our entire family and something we will never forget."

Achievements:

• Recently received a U Sports hockey scholarship to play for the Carleton Ravens Women's team and attend Carleton University
• Asked to play in the All-Star Game for Balmoral Hall at the Junior Women's Hockey League
• Proud member of the gold medal-winning Team Manitoba at NAHC in 2022
• Represented Team Manitoba at the 2023 Canada Winter Games in PEI
• Balmoral Hall Blazers won back-to-back championships at the Mandi Schwartz Memorial tournament

"I'm very proud and honoured to represent my province and the MMF at this year's event. Being able to compete at home in front of our hometown fans, the MMF, and our families will be a very special experience."

Braya Kapusta #15
Age: 14
Region: Winnipeg
Position: Forward

Achievements:

• Winning the Mandi Schwartz Memorial tournament with the Balmoral Hall Blazers and being the second scorer of the gold medal game
• Rostered as an Assistant Captain in her minor year with the U15 AA St. Vital Victorias

"I am proud to represent the MMF on Team Manitoba at the NAHC this year. Since this is my first year on Team Manitoba, I am excited for the experience, to meet new people, to continue to grow and learn as a hockey player." 

_{Photo credit: RINK Hockey Academy Winnipeg / Dylan Asmundson}

Breigh Rank #5
Age: 16
Region: Southwest
Position: Forward
Favourite hockey player: Sarah Fillier (Team Canada)

"The MMF has supported me in a number of ways: Believe, to name one, but also in a variety of ways to assist me in furthering hockey and my personal development."

Achievements:

• 2017-18 Rural Manitoba Female Champions
• 2018-2019 Provincial Bronze Medal
• 2019 - Brandon Female Hockey Challenge champions
• 2020 - Provincial Silver Medal
• Member of the gold medal-winning Team Manitoba at the NAHC in 2022

"It's always an honour to wear your province's colours, even more so when you combine that with representing the infinity logo. It's a great honour to represent my family, province, and my Indigenous background."

_{Photo credit: Zachary J Peters Photo}

Caitlin Anderson #16
Age: 18
Region: Southwest
Position: Forward
Favourite hockey player: Alex Ovechkin (Washington Capitals) 

Achievements:

• Rural and Provincial AAA Bantam Female Champions (2018/19) 
• Coaches Award AAA Bantam Female (2019/20) 
• Top Scorer Award AAA U18 Female (2022/23) 

"Very exciting and happy to be a part of such a great organization and group of girls!"

Ella Stewner #7
Age: 18
Region: Interlake
Position: Defence
Favourite hockey team/player: Winnipeg Jets / Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)

"Last year was my first time being a part of NAHC Team Manitoba or attending any hockey camps that connected me to my Métis roots. Being able to bring home the gold medal after last year's tournament opened my eyes to the love and support the MMF shows to their athletes. They make sure the players have the opportunity to play in tournaments for the sport they love, while also encouraging and celebrating their academic successes. I am extremely grateful for the support the MMF has shown throughout these last few seasons."   

Achievements:

• Team Manitoba NAHC Champions 2022  
• Represented Team Manitoba at Canada Winter Games   
• Mandi Schwartz Champion 2021, 2022  
• Finished third in the Junior Women's Hockey League for two consecutive years  

"I am extremely excited for the opportunity to play for NAHC this year. Last year's tournament allowed me to create relationships with players and coaches I have never played with before. It is truly a special experience that many players do not have the opportunity to be a part of. Throughout the tournament I will always be grateful for the opportunity to wear the jersey and represent Manitoba at the games!"

Jenna Goertzen #35
Age: 17
Region: Winnipeg
Position: Goalie
Favourite hockey team/player: Team Canada / Kristen Campbell

"I had never participated in an MMF camp before my first games, but I really wish I did. The MMF helped me so much through the process of getting me to the games, during them, and even more after. Before the games they helped me with getting my papers together and everything and anything I needed including funding. After the games, President Chartrand invited the team to a dinner and gifted us all Métis sashes and pins. When he handed us all our gifts, he took a selfie with all of us because he said that was his thing. I couldn't think of a better way to remember the day!"

Achievements:

• Gold medal with NAHC 
• 2022 Manitoba Female Hockey League goalie of the year 
• 2022 Manitoba Female Hockey League first-team all-star  

"I could not be more excited to play in the games this year, especially in front of a home crowd. I think it's a really good experience for people to see what the program and what the games actually look like."  

_{Photo credit: Zachary J Peters Photo}

Jessica Anderson #6
Age: 16
Region: Southwest
Position: Forward
Favourite hockey player: Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)

Achievements:

• Male Provincial Champions (2017/18) 
• Rookie of the year Award AAA U18 Female (2021/22) 

"I am very excited to be a part of the team and getting the chance to play with a bunch of new girls." 

Julianna Herman #17
Age: 17
Region: The Pas
Position: Defence
Favourite hockey player/team: Boston Bruins / Seth Jarvis (Carolina Hurricanes)

"The MMF supported me for the championship by providing funds for me to play and giving me life-changing opportunities. I have participated in MMF hockey camps in The Pas as I help coach on and off the ice."

Achievements:

• NAHC 2022 champions
• Top female defenceman in NAHC 2022
• Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA provincial champions 2022
• Western Champions 2022
• Esso Cup Contenders 2022
• Named captain for female AAA Hounds 2022-23
• Signed NCAA D1 with Saint Anselm Hawks

"It feels incredible as our goal is to take our energy from last year into this year to win the national championship again."

Kirby Gray #8
Age: 15
Region: Southwest
Position: Forward
Favourite hockey team/player: Winnipeg Jets / Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers)

"My siblings and I are planning to attend the Believe Hockey Camp in July. I was asked to attend as a mentor this year. We are excited to learn more about these programs and the opportunities available to us and others."

Achievements:

• Awarded "Most Dedicated" with Elkhorn Canadians U13
• Elkhorn Canadians U11 Female Gold Medal Provincial Champions
• Elkhorn Canadians U13 Female Gold Medal Provincial Champions
• Elkhorn Canadians U13 Female Silver Medal Provincial Finalist
• Named Assistant Captain for U15 AAA team
• Named to the Winnipeg Hockey League U15 AAA All-Star Team
• U15 AAA Female Silver Medal Provincial Finalists with Yellowhead Chiefs
• Top point-earning rookie in Manitoba Female Hockey League for U18 AAA

"I am really excited to represent Team Manitoba as well as the MMF at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in May. It's going to be so amazing to have it here in Manitoba so our family and friends can join in the excitement. We will be hosting some of the top players from different provinces, meeting new people, and making new friends. It will be a big step for me to play at the national level. I will just need to keep focused on my mind and physical game." 

_{Photo credit: Athletes Image Sports Photography}

Linnéa Misner #10
Age: 15
Region: Southwest
Position: Defence
Favourite hockey player: Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)

"I'm very grateful to the MMF for their support. In addition to helping to cover part of the cost for me to attend (last year), it was also very meaningful that the MMF were our biggest cheerleaders at the event. When we came home, President Chartrand and Minister Genaille invited us to a special dinner where they honoured our achievement. That made me feel very special and proud that they took the time to do this for us."  

Achievements:

• Playing for the Balmoral Hall Blazers Prep team and winning this year's Mandi Schwartz Memorial tournament
• Winning the gold medal with Team Manitoba at the 2022 NAHC
• The only 2007 female on the AAA bantam boys team this year
• Named Assistant Captain for all-male AAA Winnipeg Thrashers team

"I feel super proud and excited to be back on the team this year and represent Manitoba and the MMF. I'm excited that it's in Winnipeg this year as I know that a lot of my family and friends will come out and support me and cheer us on. It will also be fun to defend our title at home in front of all of our fans." 

Rachel Halldorson #31
Age: 17
Region: Interlake
Position: Goalie
Favourite hockey team: Team Canada female hockey team

Achievements:

• Interlake Lightning Most Dedicated Player 2020-2021 & 2021-2022
• Interlake Lightning Most Valuable Player 2022-2023
• Team Manitoba Canada Winter Games 2023

"I am very honoured to represent Team Manitoba at the NAHC. Being part of this team is an amazing accomplishment. I believe that we have a great team with lots of talent and enthusiasm on and off the ice. With Manitoba hosting this year's NAHC tournament, it will be motivating to have our family and friends supporting us. The atmosphere will be energizing." 

Seanna Price #12
Age: 16
Region: Winnipeg
Position: Forward
Favourite hockey players: Marie-Philip Poulin (Team Canada) and Mark Scheifele (Winnipeg Jets)

"The MMF has supported me with their generous sponsorship through the Believe program and also through their continued commitment to Youth sports."  

Achievements:

• 2023 POE Female U18 top 68 
• 2022 POE Female U18 top 40  
• 2019 Hardest working player and selected for All-Star game  
• 2018 Independent Classic Spring Hockey tournament champions  

"For me to be able to represent Manitoba and the MMF at this year's NAHC is an amazing opportunity that I am truly grateful for." 

Sophia Anderson #11
Age: 18
Region: Southwest
Position: Forward
Favourite hockey player: Ashton Bell (Team Canada)

"The MMF has demonstrated generous support to the NAHC team as they provided financial support for the athletes last year and graciously invited us to join them for dinner once we returned home. They congratulated us with flowers and presented us with special gifts that we will treasure deeply. It means a lot to me to have been given support by the MMF." 

Achievements:

• Won the U18 AAA Manitoba Female Hockey League championship with the Westman Wildcats
• Proud member of the gold medal-winning Team Manitoba at NAHC 2022
• Invited to Team Manitoba's Top 40 POE camp in the summer of 2022
• Named captain for U18 AAA Westman Wildcats
• Named to the Female Hockey League's second all-star team  

"To represent Team Manitoba and the MMF at NAHC 2023 is super special, especially since we are the hosts this year. It is a huge honour to represent our home province as well as uniting Indigenous athletes across Canada. The countdown is on for the championship and I look forward to the many memories that will be made throughout the week!" 

Visit HERE to meet the male Red River Métis athletes competing on Team Manitoba for the NAHC! 

 

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