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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Hard work and dedication have paid off for Yellowknife hockey player Keegan Hnatiw, who has recently been scouted to play for the Sarnia Sting junior A hockey team of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Keegan Hnatiw sports a Canadian International Hockey Academy jersey this past fall in Rockland, Ont. - photo courtesy of Marlene Hnatiw

In the fall of 2010, Hnatiw, 15, was battling for a position on the Notre Dame College Hounds AAA team in Saskatchewan. He did not make the AAA squad but was called up from the AA team throughout the year. Hnatiw spent two seasons with Notre Dame before being offered a scholarship to attend the Canadian International Hockey Academy (CIHA) in Rockland, Ont.

Standing at six-foot-three inches and weighing 225 pounds, Hnatiw is now attending Grade 12 at the CIHA and is the assistant captain for the school's major midget AA team. In early January, Sarnia Sting scout John McDonald took note of Hnatiw's physical play and hard shot during a game in Ottawa.

"He has a lot of potential. He can shoot as good as anyone. He's a big guy with natural abilities and skates well," said McDonald.

McDonald also commented on Hnatiw's character, saying the Sting organization is looking for "boys with integrity, which is sometimes hard to find these days. I liked the kid. He has good character."

Hnatiw, along with his mother and father, were invited to Sarnia, Hnatiw to practice with the team, and as a family to meet Sting management, tour the rink and watch two Sting home games. "They treated us like VIP's," said Keegan's mother, Marlene Hnatiw.

Sting head coach Jacques Beaulieu approached Keegan's parents asking them if they would consider immediately transferring Keegan to Sarnia but they decided against the move, opting to wait until the end of this hockey and school season before making the transition.

"We have a big investment in the school (CIHA) and Keegan has a commitment to his team there but he is certainly motivated more than ever," said Marlene.

Keegan is looking forward to attending the Sting spring training camp this May in preparation for the team's main camp in August.

"All the hard work is beginning to pay off," said Keegan. "It feels like a big step forward."

Keegan said that he is excited about the possibility of training with Nathan Beaulieu, this year's number one draft pick for the Montreal Canadiens.

McDonald said there are usually 40 players who are invited to attend the Sting training camp in August and 20 or 23 of them will make the roster.

"It's up to (Keegan) now," McDonald said. "He shouldn't have any trouble."

Keegan is applying to enter the business program at Lambton College in Sarnia while playing for the Sting.

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