HERE COMES HENRY

Henry Muchikekwanape is the leading scorer in the Keystone Junior Hockey League and he’s been on top of the list almost since the opening faceoff. He’s also the reason that the Norway House North Stars still give teams in the KJHL headaches even though the North Stars started the campaign with an 8-18-0-3 record. For North Stars head coach Skylar Tait-Reaume, Muchikekwanape is indeed the straw that stirs the drink. And Tait-Reaume should know. Like Muchikekwanape, the North Stars’ coach was once a big scorer in the KJHL. During his five full seasons in the league between 2009-10 and 2016-17, Tait-Reaume had 149 goals and 285 points in 109 games for both Norway House and Peguis. He won the league scoring title in 2010-11, 2012-13 and 2016-17 and helped Peguis win the KJHL title in 2012-13. That year, at the Keystone Cup Western Jr. B Championships, Tait-Reaume had three goals and 11 points in just six games against the best competition in the west. “The past two years, Henry Much has been the heart and soul of our club,” said Tait-Reaume. “He comes to the rink and he’s ready to go. He’s always prepared. He’s a player that every coach wants on his team. When you need a goal or you need a guy to motivate the other players, he’s the guy who will get it done.” Since arriving in the Keystone Junior Hockey League in 2019, Muchikekwanape has been a star. He started with Nelson House in 2019-20 and had 44 goals and 82 points in 24 games. He moved back home to Norway House last season and had 19 goals and 28 points in 19 games. This year, however, he’s been on fire. Not only the North Stars’ leading scorer, but the KJHL’s leading scorer, Muchikekwanape had 36 goals and 87 points through the first 28 games of the season. In a league that caters to goal scorers and offensive stars, Muchikekwanape, who is also the captain of the North Stars, is the best of the lot. “For me, hockey all started with my Papa and Nan,” Muchikekwanape said. “My Papa put me on skates when I was three years old. He made a rink in the backyard for me. I actually used to shoot off a garbage box into a garbage can. That’s how I started. I had no net. I would shoot off the garbage box in my driveway. That was in Norway House at my Nan and Papa’s place.” He played all his minor hockey in Norway House until U18. That’s when he left Norway House to play in Thompson. “I played for the Norman Northstars for three years and then I went to Jr. A in Humboldt with the Broncos,” he said. “But I got injured there and never played and then I got traded to Waywayseecappo Wolverines (Manitoba Junior Hockey League), but my injury wouldn’t heal so I came home and played Jr. B.” Muchikekwanape, 22, is in his final year with the North Stars, and before the season started he committed to making some noise in his final year of Junior. So he set some goals, started a small business and hit the gym. “When I’m not playing hockey, I like to hang around the rink with the boys,” said Henry, who has two brothers and two sisters. “I like it at the rink and I also spend a lot of time at the gym. As well, I’ve started my own little business. I buy online and resell shoes. “This was going to be my last year of Junior so I wanted to try and win here in my hometown. I play hockey because of my Nan and Papa and I’d like to win a championship for them. It’s so much fun playing with these guys on our team that I want to help them win, too. “The most important thing this season is that I set my own goals and I’m working hard to reach them. That’s why I’m having a good season. Every player should set team goals and personal goals. I really believe that will help your play a lot.” Coach Tait-Reaume could not agree more. “That’s why he’s one of the leaders on our team,” said the coach. “Henry sets an example for the guys and it’s a privilege to coach him. I’m just very honoured that he’s having the success he’s having this season.”