At press time, GwichSA国际影视传媒檌n athlete Thomas Hoggarth is confident about his prospects.

That means he and the Iroquois National Team will likely leave the 2019 World Lacrosse MenSA国际影视传媒檚 Indoor World Championship in Langley, B.C. with a trophy.

Hoggarth is Tetl'it Gwich'in and the great-grandson of the late Peter and Mary Kay of Fort McPherson. He started his lacrosse career at five, when he SA国际影视传媒渨as given a stick and played ever since,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

He's the first Gwich'in to win three Mann Cups, and, with the Buffalo Bandits, to play in the National Lacrosse League. Now, with his eyes on the tournament, he said he never forgot his roots in Fort McPherson, despite growing up in Peterborough, Ont.

Before all his success, Hoggarth began playing competitively at 16 for SA国际影视传媒渢he love of the game,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

For him, that joy is the competition and the teamwork driving a well-functioning team. As a result, his experience playing hockey was a natural fit with high-calibre players he encountered in competitive lacrosse.

Since then, heSA国际影视传媒檚 played clear across Canada, but this tournament is his first time on the world stage. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 also a new level of competition: heSA国际影视传媒檚 never faced other countries before, only other provinces. He said he prepared for that challenge by SA国际影视传媒渁lways playing at a top level.SA国际影视传媒�

In that process, he learned more about the competition that goes behind Lacrosse at its higher levels -- its faster pace, and the consequent work ethic that requires.

SA国际影视传媒淎lways be at the top of the game, always push at being the best,SA国际影视传媒� he said. SA国际影视传媒淎lways chasing the high, always trying to be the best.SA国际影视传媒�

He doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 think of the pressure underlying that level of self-expectation and personal stakes. SA国际影视传媒淲e just go out and play our game, and thatSA国际影视传媒檚 what happens,SA国际影视传媒� he said.

Though it was one of the stronger teams, he said he was confident facing off against the U.S. He was already acquainted with a number of the better players from previous games, and the IroquoisSA国际影视传媒� roster was stronger.

In reality, Canada will be the teamSA国际影视传媒檚 biggest competition. SA国际影视传媒淭heySA国际影视传媒檙e built like us and one of the top two teams in the league.SA国际影视传媒� Though, he said, the Iroqouis are a younger, faster team, which may give them the edge.

SA国际影视传媒淭his year, we really put the pieces together. WeSA国际影视传媒檙e younger, weSA国际影视传媒檙e a faster. I think in transition, weSA国际影视传媒檒l run them pretty good,SA国际影视传媒� Hoggarth said.

Though that will be the challenge, he cautioned against going easy or resting when playing against a weaker team, saying all the competitors can be dangerous at the tournament.

SA国际影视传媒淵ou got to take everything seriously because there are the best players in the world here,SA国际影视传媒� Hoggarth said.

That leads him to  SA国际影视传媒渟tick to my game plan and just try to figure out what I can do to make it better for those around me.SA国际影视传媒�

He carries that philosophy to his roots in Fort McPherson. Hoggarth hopes youth in the community will take up lacrosse, and continue his success, potentially at future tournaments.

SA国际影视传媒淗opefully they pick up a stick too, and follow in my shoes,SA国际影视传媒� he said.