by By Dan Ninham, contributing writer
Hayden Summers is Turtle Clan from the Oneida Nation of the Thames. Summers is a junior at the Victus Academy and competes in hockey.
“I’ve played AA hockey since the age of seven,” said Hayden Summers. “We won the LLFHL (Lower Lakes Female Hockey League) championship and we were first in our league. In 2022 I was invited to the OWHA U16 High Performance Camp and earned a spot on one of six Ontario teams that participated in the Ontario Summer Games and my team won the gold medal.”
Summers also played in the 2022 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Halifax where her team came home with the silver medal. In 2023 she played in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in Winnipeg and won gold against the defending champs Manitoba.
“As a strong indigenous young woman I believe that we must always work hard to move forward in life to help eliminate the stigmas and stereotypes we face as First Nations people,” said Summers. “I attend ceremonies to stay connected to who I am and I treat people with kindness and respect on and off the ice.”
Mike Ellis worked with Player Development as an On Ice Skill Coach at the Victus Academy. He said, “When coaching Hayden in U15 Belment Blazers I noticed her learning capabilities and Hockey IQ. I knew then that she would be a very good player. Her attributes with skating and puck skills have helped her rise above other players of her age to set her up to receive a NCAA D1 commitment at St. Lawrence University. Her calm and laid back personality really works within a team environment. She is a favourite amongst her peers.”
“Chyne Kennedy worked hard and went to university to play hockey and paved the way for me and other young indigenous athlete,” said Summers. “She showed us it’s possible to play at the next level.”
Chyne Kennedy talked about her connection to Summers: “Hayden is like family to me; a little sister. I’ve known her since she was born. Our moms have been great friends since they were young so we’ve always been a part of our lives.”
“I noticed Hayden had the potential to be the best athlete that she could be when she was around nine years old. She was playing for the London Devilettes Atom AA team. My mom and I went to watch one of her games and she stood out tremendously. Not only because she was the tallest on the team but because she was so smart on the ice. It was evident early on while watching her play that she stood out amongst her peers,” added Kennedy.
“Her skill level and knowledge of the game were advanced for her age,” said Kennedy. “I’m so proud of everything she’s accomplished so far in her career and I’m looking forward to watching her continue to grow and succeed.”
Photo: Eric Curragh
