Origins and Connections to Sport

Nestled near Grasslands National park in southwest Saskatchewan is the village of Val Marie. This spectacular countryside boasts prehistoric badlands, lush coulees, rolling ranch land and broad river valleys which sweep to distant horizons. Val Marie is not only known as an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, but also as home to one of the greatest ice hockey players ever to lace up a pair of skates. This is the story of a young boy of Indigenous heritage who grew up in a tiny rural community, only to win the Stanley Cup six times while becoming one of the most accomplished ice hockey players in the game’s history. This is the story of Bryan Trottier; proudly born and raised in the community of Val Marie.

Growing up in Val Marie, sports were a big part of the community and how people spent time with one another. For young people, it was ice hockey in the winter and baseball all summer long. Bryan grew up in a family of athletes. He grew up hearing stories of his dad and uncles’ athletic accomplishments and was surrounded by several older cousins who were excellent athletes themselves. His dad had a genuine sense of pride that Bryan’s grandparents were Cree, Métis and Chippewa with a long history of being outstanding athletes, which he often shared with him. Bryan’s mom would always remind him to be proud of his heritage. All of this gave young Bryan a sense of hope and pride of his family and the athletic qualities he inherited which allowed him to follow in their footsteps.

In the world of ice hockey, Bryan’s accomplishments are legendary. What makes those accomplishments even more spectacular is where it all humbly began, out on the freshly flooded pond made by a beaver dam. Bryan remembers learning how to skate and shoot just like all the other kids, spending hours honing the skills that would eventually help him become a hockey superstar.

In adolescence, Bryan recalls being painfully shy and lacking self-confidence. He remembers being afraid and incredibly homesick while advancing through higher levels of organized ice hockey, which meant being away for his home, family, and friends. Bryan’s parents helped him face these challenges every step of the way, giving him the courage to push through them. They taught him not to fear making mistakes but learn from them; to keep stepping forward and putting himself out there; to envision what might be on the other side. They reminded him constantly that he would always have a home to come back to if things did not work out.

Bryan would never forget this encouragement as it allowed him the confidence to keep stepping forward and become all he could be.

From the small-town dressing rooms where his ice hockey career began all the way to the NHL, Bryan’s ever-growing confidence and winning attitude were a source of inspiration to his fellow teammates as he never let them doubt for a moment they would be successful. He developed a reputation for not only wanting to win every game; he wanted to win every shift and all the battles in between.

Over the course of his NHL career, Bryan would set records, win just about every coveted award in the game, and hoist the Stanley Cup seven times. Despite being one of the best all-around players in the game’s history, he still returns to the small village of Val Marie to share, celebrate, and honour his family and the many warm-hearted community people who cheered him on and encouraged him over the years. Bryan Trottier has never forgotten the valuable encouragement he received from his parents and his Indigenous heritage, which he has worn as a badge of honour throughout his life and career.

Over the course of his NHL career, Bryan would set records, win just about every coveted award in the game, and hoist the Stanley Cup seven times.

Despite being one of the best all-around players in the game’s history, he still returns to the small village of Val Marie to share, celebrate, and honour his family and the many warm-hearted community people who cheered him on and encouraged him over the years.