Former NHL players, Bryan Trottier and Rich Pilon were on hand for a four-day visit, with the Stanley Cup replica, to promote healthy living choices for youth in the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB) communities, Feb. 5-8.
Trottier and Pilon travelled to Stanley Mission, Grandmother’s Bay and Sucker River on Thursday, Feb. 5 talking with students and giving them opportunities to handle the cup.
Both players are Métis from Saskatchewan and they shared their stories along with the Cup, which is a replica of the original, which Trottier said is kept under lock and key.
On Friday, the duo moved to La Ronge, visiting Bell’s Point Elementary School (BPES) in the morning and Senator Myles Venne School (SMVS) in the afternoon.
Trottier shared his story with the students. He was born and grew up in Val Marie, which is a very small community, population 120, near Swift Current, he said.
He was raised by his grandparents, who, along with his dad, talked to him about being proud of his Indigenous heritage.
“With your Indigenous blood, you have great stamina. You have great agility. You have great skills, athletic skills,” he remembered. “I thought, ‘wow, I’ve already went upon all my buddies, so this is pretty cool.’”
Trottier said he grew up hunting, trapping, and fishing. The family also cared for horses, which Trottier said resulted in a lot of chores in the morning.
Trottier said growing up on the ranch gave left him with a love of families and nature, horses, animals and all the things we did.
“I’m proud of my Indigenous roots!,” Trottier said.
Folks in Hall Lake enjoyed learning about the Stanley Cup, holding it up and exploring, with a chance to wear, one of the seven Stanley Cup rings, belonging to Bryan Trottier. Photo courtesy of the Lac La Ronge Indian Band (LLRIB)
While outdoor activities were a big part of his life, Trottier had a dream to play in the NHL.
One year after putting up 144 points in 67 games with the Lethbridge Broncos of the old WCHL, Trottier was drafted in the second round, 22nd overall, by the New York Islanders.
So, from his small-town beginnings, he headed to the Big Apple, a city of more than four million people.
“I made it all the way to New York.,” Trottier said.
“Was I nervous? Was I scared? Yes, but I was also so excited, because my dream was playing in the National Hockey League and raiseing the Stanley Cup over my head.”
Trottier is a 28-year veteran of the NHL. He spent 18 as a player and 10 as a coach. He is a six-time Stanley Cup as a player – four times with the New Your Islanders and two with the Pittsburgh Penguins—and one time as an assistant coach with the Colorado Avalanche.
Over the years Trottier was the winner of: the Calder Trophy, Art Ross Trophy, Hart Trophy, Con Smythe Trophy and King Clancy Memorial Trophy. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1997 and he was named one of the 199 Greatest NHL Players in NHL history in 2017.
Trottier also had his seven Stanley Cup rings to show students. Two stay on his hands, he said. The others he has wrapped in cloth bags. He unwrapped the other five for students to also see and touch.
Rich Pilon grew up in St. Louis. He played AAA hockey in the Prince Albert area and at 20 he was playing in the NHL.
Despite an injury, which left him with sight in one eye, Pilon played in the NHL until he was 35.
“I played ‘till I was 35, but somewhere in there my life took a pretty heavy turn. I don’t know where it happened, but it happened. I started drinking a little bit more. Everything was a little bit more,” he said.
Pilon said, he got to where “I didn’t want to show up anymore, which is really dishonoured to my teammates, to myself especially. But that is what addictions do. At 33 years old, I tried cocaine for the first time.”
Addictions took over his life and, after playing eight games in two years with the St. Louis Blues, he entered the NHL Substance Abuse program and at 36 he hit rock bottom and became suicidal, having thoughts of his family being better off without him. At that time, he reached out for help.
Speaking in the north, Pilon stressed that it’s important to talk to someone in those situations.
“Don’t be afraid to reach out … Just reach out to someone,” he said.
He introduced Brandi Bell and the Embracing Life App, which is designed to be a free support for people facing addictions.
“My dream was to help other people,” Brandi Bell said.
She also spoke about the high instance of mental health issues worldwide.
“We created the embracing Life app for you … it’s free. It’s an easy download. It helps you learn how to help yourself. See what you need, but also how you can help somebody else who’s struggling, so just make sure that reaching out for help.”
Bell said it’s important to break down the stigma so that people feel good about asking for help. “Asking for help is brave,” she said. “It’s ok not to be ok. Keep showing up, keep coming to school, and be surrounded with people who care about you.”
On Saturday, there was a Community Breakfast at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre (JRMCC) and a Meet-and-Greet in the afternoon to allow time for community members to visit and participate.
On Sunday, they moved on to Hall Lake and Little Red River reserves, taking the cup and message of the importance of protecting one’s mental Health.
Some emergency information that could be supportive, particularly for people living in the La Ronge, Air Ronge, Sucker river, Grandmother’s Bay, Stanley Mission and Hall Lake area courtesy of Roots of Hope La Ronge.
Call 911 for emergency response, such as fire, police, rescue; it can reach numerous responders with this one call
Talk Canada Suicide Canada – 988. Kid’s Help phone: text CONNECT to 686868 for texting or phone: 1-800-668-6868. Chat online www.hopeforwellness.ca Métis Nation Crisis Line Phone: 1-877-767-7572;Piwapan Crisis Line (Northern Saskatchewan) 306-425-40900(collect calls accepted); Trans Lifeline phone: 1-877-330-6366 *check schedule of hours, Residential School Crisis Line Phone: 1-866-925-4419;and Talking Stick: Live chat ,my.talkingstick.app
