Harmony Chicoose (Saulteaux/Cree): Elite Hockey Captain At Pilot Mound Hockey Academy Is Moving Onward To The Next Level

By Dan Ninham (Oneida)

Pilot Mound Hockey Academy Provides Opportunities

The Pilot Mount Hockey Academy (PMHA) is a world-class academic and hockey training facility. It is located in Pilot Mound, MB, Canada. PMHA competes in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League (CSSHL). The website stated the program was “created to maximize each students athletic and academic potential!”

The mission of the PMHA “is to provide a professional, education-based hockey program, richly embedded in community values, where players will develop multiple skills both on and off the ice, allowing them to learn life lessons and grow as respected individuals.”

Rod Collins has a hockey coaching resume’ spanning over thirty years. Rod also had a dream that he made happen with countless others that supported him: provide an academy in his hometown of Pilot Mound, MB to focus on elite academics and athletics. The PMHA began in 2015 with midget boys hockey and two years later the girls’ midgets were added. He is also the father of Delaney Collins, who won international gold medals with Team Canada women’s hockey.

The pandemic has changed the world as we saw it only a few weeks ago. Dreamers continue to dream but are being safer in how they move on their journeys and looking after others.

“These are difficult times and we have had to cancel our spring camps,” said Rod Collins, general manager and player personnel director, Pilot Mound Buffaloes Hockey Academy. “We still encourage prospective students to contact us and check our website for upcoming events. We are a stable program and will ride out the virus threat and continue to develop young men and women in our program.”

Brad Platt is the Pilot Mound Buffaloes Hockey Academy U18 Female Coach. He believes the PMHA provides opportunities for advanced training in academics and hockey. He said: “I feel our program here in Pilot Mound is the perfect place for that hockey player looking to move on and play at the university, college and junior level. The kids here are on the ice every day learning individual skills, team play, conditioning, and much more. Kids parents are taking part of their regular club hockey and then driving them all over looking for extra individual lessons when we provide it all here in Pilot Mound. Our kids are ready for the next level after leaving our program more than most because of the on ice and off ice accountability we put on them. They all live together in dorms, go to school together and need to learn more than just hockey.”

“We haven’t targeted indigenous players but in the past and present targeted areas that don’t provide the level of hockey and programs like we have here. This turned out to be good for us since we have attracted some really good talent from northern communities. Even better some of those kids have since moved on to higher levels and school programs and have had lots of success. This means more to me than winning every game. Getting those early morning or late night texts or phone calls from players I’ve coached to help out with problems or just a visit on how the year is going means more to me than anything. We will keep targeting areas that don’t have elite programs like we have but we also are looking for that player/person that wants to get to the next level and that’s why we are getting kids from all over North America looking to come here,” added Coach Brad.

“Pilot Mound has a great reputation for developing players since their first year,” said Coach Harry Mahesh. “Over that time, we have had the opportunity to have many indigenous players on both the female and male roster.  Although it was purely unintentional in having the numbers we did early on, it was easy to see the high level of these athletes. It is important to note that all players had earned there spot on the roster. The recruitment of these player has come on the backs of the players we have had before them. I think it’s amazing how these kids become role models in their communities and have others aspire to follow in the footsteps or skates in the case.”

“We are proud to be able to create a place for all players to develop and not only players but as people. We have many races and cultural diversity throughout our roster, and having the indigenous players in that environment is a great way to be able to create our own identity as well as having some of our players from abroad understand the area and community they are moving into. The pride that these players have in their heritage is a great resource and tool to teach the importance of family and teamwork to everyone,” added Coach Harry.

“With hockey and school being cancelled indefinitely, PMHA is stuck in a tough place right now,” said Coach Harry. “Almost all players have been sent back home until further notice. Many places have shut down schools for the remainder of the school year yet Manitoba has not making it tough to plan or make final decisions. As of right now the plan is to be back in school for April 13th. However, that can easily change. As coaches we aren’t going to be back on the ice until the summer by the looks of things. We have a lot of recruiting to do that will be done over video scouting right now. It’s hard to say what the impact of this virus is going to be, but as of now we are taking things day-by-day until we know for sure the status of the school reopening this year or not.”

Harmony Chicoose Competes For PMHA

According to a recent story in Game On, the magazine for Manitoba’s Hockey Community, there were 13 indigenous female players and 23 indigenous male players who have attended PMHA in the past five years. Harmony Chicoose was featured in the story by Scott Taylor, For First Nations Players, Pilot Mound Just Feels Like Home, in the Game On Holiday Edition 2019.

Harmony Chicoose is Saulteaux-Cree from the Pasqua First Nation in Treaty Four Territory. Her Indian name is Kah-Pay-Tway-Tuk Pee-Yay-Soo and the meaning is “Can hear you calling Thunderbird”. 

“I compete for the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy (PMHA) Buffaloes in the Female Varsity Division of the Canadian Sports School Hockey League,” said Harmony. “This was the final year for the Varsity Division, and next year we will be competing in the Female Prep Division.”

The mission statement of the PMHA is a perfect fit with the cultural values of Harmony Chicoose. “The values that define me as an athlete are the importance of family and community,” said Harmony. “Without the support of my family and community, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I appreciate them taking time off work to watch my games, texting me supportive messages, sending care packages when I moved away and giving advice on my game play. My great-grandmother Frances Chicoose is my number one fan. She attends every game she can. My parents Kyle and Joylynn Chicoose have always taught me to make a name for myself by working hard. I’ve alway tried to be a good role model for my younger brother Hansel Chicoose and I want to be someone he can look up to. My uncle Trent Campbell taught me that I can play at a high level of hockey and still be family-oriented and to always remember my roots. My adoptive ‘aunties’ Jaycee and Amy McLaren have given me that sense of family when I am away from home. When I am down, it’s the strength of my family and community that get me through. I don’t want to let them down or disappoint them.” 

The Elite Coaches Develop Elite Players

Student-athletes are recruited to PMHA and are developed into elite players by elite coaches. The leader of PMHA is Rod Collins. The followers who are also leaders of high performance physical and mental training are the other coaches. 

“Brad Platt has been my coach for the last three years at the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy,” said Harmony. “Brad and I started this journey together and he has pushed me every year to become a stronger player. He knows how to challenge me in a supportive way, and I don’t want to disappoint him.” 

“Harmony came to Pilot Mound in our first year of the program,” said Coach Brad Platt. “She was in grade nine with a bit of a deer in the headlights look and a big smile. It didn’t take long for me to see that she would be a good leader someday. She is a very mature, smart, hardworking young lady. This didn’t surprise after meeting and getting to know her family.”

“Harmony is a good leader. She does the right amount of talking off the ice and on the ice, she is a very good player and wants to be the best. She still has lots to learn but the good thing with Chico is that she wants it. The team looks up to her even though she is still young with lots to learn. It’s very hard to find good leaders because honestly kids just don’t know how to be a leader but it just comes naturally to Harmony,” added Coach Brad.

“Harmony is your typical young female player,” said Coach Brad. “Wants to be good at everything with school, friends, hockey, and family. They don’t like to disappoint, make mistakes, or fail at things.  We push her the same as all the players here. Something we do in practice is to push the kids and make them fall or try new things. Harmony will move on and do great things after her experience here, because of her work ethic, willingness to be #1 and leadership qualities.”

“Harry Mahesh has been my coach for the last two years at PMHA,” said Harmony. “Harry has a way of pushing me out of my comfort zone to get to that next level. He knows what I am capable of even when I doubt myself.” 

“As a third year student it was clear Harmony was developing the skills to be named the first captain for the Female Pilot Mound Hockey Academy Buffaloes,” said Coach Harry Mahesh.  “Naming her as the captain was a decision that took all of my first year to make. As one of the younger girls on the team during her second year, she was able to connect well with everyone on the team. That was the quality that made me feel she was the right choice. This past season was a more difficult one as she battled through numerous injuries. Still she was able to help lead the team on and off the ice in a positive way.”

“In my time coaching Harmony she has had to work hard in order to keep progressing here game. She isn’t someone I would say is a ‘natural talent’ and that isn’t meant as a negative comment.  Her skill and talent are developed through her commitment which I think is a critical part of being a leader. She might not enjoy the task in front of her but knows it needs to get done. That’s a quality coaches really admire. Having met with her family many times over the last couple season, the relationship she as with them and the qualities they have passed on to her have really made her stand up citizen. As she enters her fourth year on the team she will be expected to fill many roles next season on and off the ice, and I’m confident she will step up in a big way. Her high level of academics will help tremendously as she pursues her goal of play post-secondary hockey. I really look forward to seeing what’s next for her,” added Coach Harry.

“Rod Collins saw my potential as a young 14-year old and over the years has taught me to grow my game,” said Harmony. “Rod has helped me fine-tune the details of my playing style with new techniques.” 

“Harmony is a model student athlete in our program and captain of our female team,” said Rod Collins. “We have been fortunate to have some excellent indigenous students attend our program. We don’t focus on any one specific culture or background but accept all students with good credentials and the will to learn.” 

Harmony has had more than a few coaches who have nurtured her to the point of being an elite athlete. She said: “Danny Stone taught me ‘when in doubt, up and out’. This means to clear the zone using the glass when you are hemmed in for a long time and I have carried this with me ever since. Danny emphasized the importance of speaking for yourself and I have used this skill to advocate for myself and teammates.”

“I knew right away when I first saw Harmony that she was a player I wanted on my team,” said Danny Stone, Aboriginal Team Saskatchewan Hockey coach. “She was not one of the louder outspoken players when she played for me but her actions spoke louder then any words could. She was always one of the hardest working players, both in practice and especially in games. It’s something that I noticed early on and made Harmony stand out in my eyes. I’m super happy I had the opportunity to be her coach!” 

“Jon Golden and Sean Nameth were two of my minor league hockey coaches,” said Harmony. “Growing up I was naturally a physical player which can be viewed negatively in female hockey. Jon never tried to change the type of player I was but instead emphasized my strengths. Sean taught me how to use my physical style in a way that was an asset to my team.” 

All aspiring hockey players are maximizing their playing days after their high school years. “My future goal is to play NCAA Division 1 women’s hockey,” said Harmony. 

“When I was younger, I was eating in a restaurant with my parents when a WHL team walked by,” said Harmony. “This started a conversation about how the team spends its time together on and off the ice. I always enjoyed hockey but until this moment I never thought about doing it as a lifestyle. I told my parents hockey is ‘what I wanted to do with my life’ and they encouraged me but also warned about the sacrifices it would take to pursue this dream. We prepared for the fact that I would have to move away from home and commit to a lifestyle that would be different than my peers. But they told me if I was willing to put in the work, they would support me any way they could. I moved away from home at the age of 14 years old to play with the Pilot Mound Hockey Academy. Looking back, I’m living the life that I wanted at that young age. I get to travel with my team playing the sport I love competitively. I’ve developed lifelong friendships with teammates. I get to be part of a community that I never envisioned myself living in. I hope to continue my childhood dream all through university.” 

Variety of Sport Participation and Volunteer Service

Harmony participates in other sports and this makes her a well-rounded athlete. She said: “Being an athlete who plays a high level of competitive hockey, it’s important to ensure that you’re also participating in other sports. Just because you love the sport you’re in, doesn’t mean you can’t do other sports as well. It’s important for your body to work other muscles so that you are strong in all areas, not just the muscles that are used in your sport. In the off-season, I like to take a break from hockey and play flag football. I’ve been doing this for the past three years and it’s helped me develop other skills.”

“Participating in other sports provides other opportunities for me as well. A few years ago I got the opportunity to represent Saskatchewan in the U16 National Flag Football Championships. Not only did I get to be apart of this team as the youngest player, but I was also voted to be a co-captain. This was a huge accomplishment for me because in that moment, I knew that I could excel in other sports other than hockey. It’s good to be an elite athlete, but it’s even better to be a multi-sport athlete who can excel in various sports. There is a lot of pressure to continue playing hockey in the spring and summer, but it’s important to take a break in order to prevent burnout and to continue the love for the sport,” added Harmony.  

“Harmony is one of the most deserving athletes I have had a chance to coach,” said Cole Wilchynski, Flag Football Team Saskatchewan coach. “I have had the pleasure of coaching Harmony since she was 11 years old. Even when she was young she showed a very high level of commitment, being coachable, and general passion for competition. Those qualities followed her every season and she was always an absolute pleasure to coach. She really stepped into her own as one of the best players in the competitive female division her last two years. When I found out that she moved away for school I assumed that she would stop playing. Not only did she still want to play, she proved that she could play both sides of the ball, offence and defence, while practicing on her own at school, and having to travel all day Friday back to Regina just to make games. She always gave a high level of effort without being asked and was always a team player first. Always asking what she could improve on to help the TEAM. When we were in need of a big play or a momentum shift in a game, Harmony always seemed to make that happen. Even though she was not the most vocal person on the team and always a year younger than most of the girls on her team, she always stood out as a leader and showed it through her play and competitiveness.” 

“Volunteering goes back to my tribal core values because of the fact that the community takes care of me, and in return I take care of the community,” said Harmony. “It’s important to give back and show your appreciation. You have to stay humble and return the support you are given. I like to volunteer within the community and help in anyway I can. I volunteer at the school by scorekeeping volleyball games and being an educational assistant (EA) for other students. I also give back to the community by volunteering to coach little kids soccer and help instruct power skating classes.” 

National Aboriginal Hockey Championships

The Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC) established the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in 2002 to showcase indigenous hockey players in Canada. The event attracts First Nation, Inuit, and Metis from 13 provinces and territories.

More than 500 elite bantam and midget indigenous hockey players from Canada were planning to compete in this year’s National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. The events were to be held in Saskatchewan’s capital, Regina, for the first time in May 2020. Due to the pandemic the event has been cancelled.

“In 2017, I had the privilege of playing in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships with Team Saskatchewan,” said Harmony. “It was an amazing and fun experience, and it was something I am so grateful to have been part of. I was 14 at the time and I was one of the younger girls on the team, and it was nice to have some of the older girls mentor me and help me out when I needed it. Most of my teammates are still my friends and some of them I had the pleasure of getting to know better and create long-lasting friendships with them. I got to experience playing with and against other female Aboriginal hockey players and it was incredible. It was all new experiences to me. The competition was fierce and the speed of the game was faster than what I was used to. I knew that if I wanted to keep up with the other girls, I had to work my hardest and give 110% effort. Throughout the week I learned a lot of new skills and little tips and tricks thanks to my coaches and teammates.” 

“Harmony had a strong year in Pilot Mound this year where she had the opportunity to wear the ‘C’ and lead the team,” said Dale Bear, Aboriginal Team Manitoba Hockey coach. “Harmony’s positive attitude, hard work ethic and ability to get everyone involved definitely shows qualities in a leader. Harmony is a true representation of never giving up and working hard everyday on and off the ice to improve her game. We knew she would come to Team Manitoba with her strong leadership skills she showed at Pilot Mound this year waiting to use them at the NAHC. Unfortunately the NAHC will be cancelled this year but we will definitely be looking at Harmony to bring her strong leadership qualities to the team next year where we look to bring the gold back to Manitoba!”

Advice To Young Student-Athletes

Elite student-athletes are role models as they walk and in this case skate throughout their lives. The empowerment of others helps guide them through opportunities on their journey.

“My advice to young student-athletes would be to take advantage of any opportunity that you are presented with and not feel guilty about it,” said Harmony. “For every opportunity you get, there will be a bunch that you don’t, so you need jump at the chance when it comes along. In order to be a successful student-athlete, you will need to make sacrifices. While your friends are out partying, you need to be putting in the extra time and effort, staying on top of your schoolwork, and making sure your body is rested and fuelled. Focus on the big picture, and remind yourself that every sacrifice gets you one step closer to reaching your goal. Always have heart, and never give up.”

A Focused Future In A Pandemic World

“My coaches have told me that I could go to any school I wanted as long as I put in the extra time and worked hard every practice, every game, every shift,” said Harmony. “I’m preparing by doing extra workouts, skating in my free time, pushing myself more everyday, and sending my resume to schools I am interested in.”

The PMHA female roster website is located here: https://www.pilotmoundhockeyacademy.com/female-roster/

Game On/Manitoba’s hockey community website is located here: https://gameonhockey.ca/about/

Photo Credit: Kris Friesen, K’s Photography, Pilot Mound, MB