John MacNeil
Daily Herald
This isn’t just another game for Hubert Clarke and his Prince Albert Raiders.
While the Raiders try to snap a three-game losing skid at home Wednesday night, they’re also playing for a bigger purpose as they face off against the Red Deer Rebels in Western Hockey League action.
Traditionally sporting green, the Raiders are wearing special orange jerseys for one night in commemoration of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
“I’ve been looking forward to this week and especially this game,” said Clarke, one of four Indigenous players on Prince Albert’s roster.
“It just means so much for the people. I just really acknowledge this day for the people that made it through and obviously the people that didn’t make it. But it’s super exciting.”
Beyond the ceremony and colour of Orange Shirt Day, the greater goals are education and awareness about the abuses of residential schools.
“It definitely means both of those,” said Clarke, a defenceman from Norway House, Man., turning 19 in December. “I could obviously teach my teammates and kind of tell them what this day is about.
“Awareness is a really big one. I feel people don’t really acknowledge the people that had to go through it, and it’s the reason why we’re living like this today. It’s because of them, because they really went through all the pain.
“This day is super important for the Indigenous people. Not only for the Indigenous people, but for everybody, because people have a chance to learn about something that they think is easy to do. But it’s really not, because people suffered a lot.”
Speaking between school time and practice Tuesday, Clarke reflected on the many meaningful experiences where he has been able to connect his hockey with his heritage.
“When we go to Regina, there’s always an acknowledgement for Indigenous people there,” he said. “And in Kamloops, too.
“Also, I’ve played in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship three times, as well. That tournament is super fun, because everyone is Indigenous. Before every game, there’s always O Canada in Cree, or a different Indigenous language. These games are super fun.”
The commemorative jerseys are being auctioned off in support of Prince Albert Grand Council Urban Services.
“I’m lucky that Prince Albert treats me pretty good,” Clarke said. “They got me an extra jersey, so I didn’t have to bid on my worn jersey. I already got kind of a free one.”
The related artwork on each jersey carries meaning that goes far beyond an aesthetic look.
“The detail on the jersey is really meaningful,” said Clarke, whose fellow Indigenous teammates are Riley Boychuk, Carsyn Dyck and Athens Shingoose.
“I don’t even think anybody really knows the meaning on it, but when we do have them, I will tell people what the animals and all the details on the jersey mean to Indigenous people. Just so everyone really understands and it’s not, like, ‘Oh, why is there a bear, or why is there a turtle, or why is there a feather on our jersey?’
“It’s not just that. There’s a deeper meaning to it. These jerseys are probably the most beautiful jerseys ever worn.”
Clarke’s education on such topics and otherwise will continue when he becomes a student at Western Michigan University within a few years. For now, he’s taking a few courses at Carlton Comprehensive High School to keep him in a scholastic frame of mind.
“If this year goes as planned and I’m still in Prince Albert, I think I will come back (to the Raiders) as a 20-year-old and obviously try to make my spot here (next season),” he said. “But obviously get through this year first, and get back in the winning column and kind of where we left off last year.”
The Raiders (1-3) welcome back coach Ryan McDonald for Wednesday’s game. For personal reasons, he missed both losses to the Saskatoon Blades last weekend.
Prince Albert hopes to play to its identity against Red Deer (2-1-1), which has won two straight games.
“We really have to play our game,” Clarke said. “Play fast, hit them, move pucks up (and) be a lot stronger in our D-zone. Everyone is playing well, but everyone could be playing great.
“I think everybody is just playing a little bit tight right now. Just with the way the room is — obviously, four 20-year-olds. We had eight defencemen yesterday, but now we’re down to seven.
“I think our 20-year-olds are playing a little bit tight, and they’re trying to be somebody that they aren’t, if that makes sense. We just need to really settle in as a team together and build that chemistry, and not really worry about that kind of stuff. Just focus on winning hockey games and having the right details.”
In a couple of roster moves announced Tuesday, the Raiders cut 17-year-old defenceman Kade Corbet and 18-year-old forward Carter Kingerski. Corbet, who is from Calgary, is going to a team to be determined, while Kingerski is bound for the Manitoba junior A league’s Winnipeg Monarchs.
