It has been nearly 20 years since the La Ronge Ice Wolves played their first game in the SJHL.

Lac La Ronge Indian Band member Devin Bernatchez was part of the inaugural season as a player.

“They unveiled the jersey at the motor inn that one night,” said Bernatchez. “Ken Mercredi from La Ronge was on kind of this board – had asked me to go and help. They released that they were signing me and I was the first local, and it was pretty exciting.”

These days, Bernatchez is taking the skills he gained as a player in the SJHL and passing them on as a hockey coach in northern Saskatchewan.

“There were coaches that helped me when I was young – they volunteered time in,” said Bernatchez. “Just trying to pay back the gift that those guys gave us, was a chance to play. So if we can do that, and keep kids busy – maybe we will have less crime, less violence, less kids being bored.”

Bernatchez also serves as the president of the North Central Minor Hockey League.

(PHOTO: Devin Bernatchez with his son Dade. Photo courtesy of Devin Bernatchez, Facebook.)