Indigenous education fund
Forward Keaton Mercredi is off to play for the Maryville University Saints of the Division 1, American Collegiate Hockey Association in the fall. Notably, Mercredi has become the first recipient of a $1,000 scholarship from a post secondary education fund initiated by the Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Jr. Hockey League and Warrior Supplies.
“Being the first to receive the Warrior scholarship is an honour and the Fighting Walleye do a great job representing indigenous players and culture,” said Mercredi, who hails from High Level, Alberta. “I would like to thank (general manager) Kevin McCallum and the entire Kam River organization for making me a better person and player, on and off the ice, to further my education and hockey career.”
The 21-year-old Mercredi divided the 2021-2022 season between the SIJHL and Kam River and the Grande Prairie Kings of the Northwest Jr. B Hockey League. He had 19 points in 26 games with Kam River and totalled 34 points in 24 games for Grande Prairie.
Derek Geddes, who is the president and one of the owners in Kam River, noted the origin of the Indigenous scholarship fund.
“The Walleye/Warrior Supply Scholarship was founded and funded through the Orange Wave game last March. Our partner in this initiative, Jason Thompson, owner of Warrior supply, was the visionary of this and we are happy to be able to provide the platform,” Geddes said.
The Fighting Walleye hosted the inaugural Orange Wave game on March 12 of this year, which celebrated Indigenous culture and traditions. The team wore special one-time jerseys for the game, sponsored by Warrior Supply, and the jerseys were auctioned off to raise money for the scholarship fund. More than $10,000 was raised through the support of Fighting Walleye fans, sponsors and community partners, Geddes confirmed.
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