Aaron Starr used to light the lamp in junior hockey rinks across Western Canada.
The 35-year-old from Star Blanket Cree Nation has graduated from battling on the ice, to battling in the courtroom, as Starr is now a lawyer in Saskatoon.
“I think that a lot of my skills that I’ve learnt from hockey have kind of transitioned into my law practice,” said Starr. “More less — like hard work, work ethic, punctuality, things that you learn on the ice.”
Starr is an associate with McKercher LLP in Saskatoon. He was called to the Saskatchewan Bar in 2012.
During his junior hockey days, he played with the Saskatoon Blades (WHL) and the OCN Blizzard (MJHL). During the 2003-04 season, Starr recorded 118 points in 60 games with the Blizzard. He then played pro with the Laredo Bucks (CHL) and he also suited up with the University of Manitoba Bisons in the university ranks.
These days, Starr still enjoys lacing up the skates. He plans to play this weekend in the Lawrence Weenie Cup Indigenous hockey tournament in North Battleford.
“I find that it’s more less kind of for the love of the game that I’m still playing right?” said Starr. “But I hope I’m still a role model.”
Starr adds that he’s an advocate for people pursuing education.
“I find that myself as a lawyer, I get a lot of calls from young people who have ambitions to go to law school and become lawyers,” said Starr. “I tend to answer those calls or go for lunch, or you know, meet with them to let them know like – listen, it was a dream of mine and I did it.”
Starr is a graduate from the College of Law at the University of Saskatchewan.
(PHOTO: Aaron Starr. Supplied photo.)