A Kakisa youth and his uncle spent a weekend with NHLer Travis Hamonic earlier this month, and came home with new gear and an experience to remember.

Calgary Flames defenseman Travis Hamonic started The Northern Project with his wife Stephanie last year. The project brings Indigenous families living in remote, northern communities to Calgary to spend time with HamonicSA国际影视传媒攚ho is M茅tisSA国际影视传媒攁nd his family, take in a game with the best seats, and go home with some new gear.

Tarek Chicot, 15, lost his father when he was seven years old, which made a big connection with Hamonic, who lost his own father when he was 10.

SA国际影视传媒淗e got a lot out of the trip just to be with someone who went through the same experience, being able to talk about it,SA国际影视传媒� said TarekSA国际影视传媒檚 uncle Lloyd Chicot, who accompanied him to Calgary.

News/North was unable to get in touch with Tarek by press time, as he was in exams at Diamond Jenness Secondary School in Hay River.

In a video produced by the NHL about the trip, Tarek said the trip was, SA国际影视传媒淎wesome. To meet an NHL player? Awesome.SA国际影视传媒�

Tarek plays hockey himself, which isnSA国际影视传媒檛 always easy in his home community of Kakisa, where he spends weekends during the school year and lives when heSA国际影视传媒檚 not in school.

SA国际影视传媒淲e donSA国际影视传媒檛 have an arena, just an outdoor rink (in winter),SA国际影视传媒� says Lloyd. SA国际影视传媒淗is mother drives him to Hay River to practice and that kind of stuff.SA国际影视传媒�

As part of The Northern Project, Tarek got suited up with some new gear: a pair of fitted Bauer skates from Sportchek and some new hockey sticks, including the one Hamonic used in the game they attended SA国际影视传媒� they both shoot right-handed.

Lloyd says Tarek got connected with this opportunity through Diamond Jenness Secondary School. His mom was supposed to go with him originally but had to work, so Lloyd went instead.