Leaving a lasting impression in the North

Tommy Williams was a person of the individuals within the Northwest Territories. Not
solely in his varied roles all through a protracted profession in authorities, but in addition
on the hockey rink.

“He was an incredible man … so passionate in regards to the recreation and he actually put his
coronary heart into hockey,” says Pamela Williams, Tommy’s spouse of 32 years. “He
cared a lot about individuals, and he wished to show each child the love he
shared for the sport and the enjoyment of the game.”

Williams died final August at 60 years previous, after a battle with most cancers. He
left an affect on the neighborhood via his love for his household, the sport
of hockey, his Métis heritage and attempting to make a distinction for Northern
youth.

He was a goaltender for 48 years, taking part in till he now not bodily
may, even after getting knee and hip replacements.

His daughter Aurora all the time remembers him being concerned in hockey from an
early age.

“He coached me all through my childhood, and he was all the time a favorite coach
for the gamers,” she says. “He was a enjoyable man and made mates in every single place
across the rink. Everyone revered him and he had a big effect on all of
us.”

His ardour for hockey was apparent to his household, together with Pamela. Being
on the rink is what made Tommy completely happy – it didn’t matter if he was taking part in,
teaching or simply watching video games.

“He wished to be an expert hockey participant and he would all the time spend any
free time on the rink,” Pamela says. “He performed in rec leagues and
old-timer leagues and would watch his children and grandkids play at house and
away at tournaments in numerous cities.”

Tommy performed at totally different ranges, reaching the Western Hockey League with
the Medicine Hat Tigers because the back-up to former NHLer Kelly Hrudey. He
loved his time, however all the time felt pulled to the North and the way he may develop
the sport and assist Indigenous Peoples in his personal neighborhood.

“He performed such an necessary position mannequin for therefore many Indigenous youth. He
was pleased with who he was, and he may join and perceive what these
children have been going via,” says Aurora. “The children he coached over time
nonetheless share how a lot of an affect he had on them.”

James simply fell into his dad’s footsteps with an early love for the sport.
He was coached from a younger age by his dad, and he discovered lots in regards to the
recreation – on and off the ice – from him and used these classes as he continued
his taking part in profession.

James left house at age 14 to play Junior A hockey in Summerside, P.E.I.,
with the Summerside Western Capitals of the Maritime Hockey League. He
performed a pair years of college hockey as properly earlier than returning house
for good, however continued to play in the identical leisure leagues his dad
used to play in.

“He always wanted what was best for me and my sister,” James says. “When I
moved away and felt homesick, he pushed me to do my finest and he believed in
me. Now that I’m again in Inuvik, I play in the identical leagues he used to, and
individuals nonetheless know who he was and what he meant to the hockey neighborhood.”

Like his dad, James had the chance to educate Team NWT on the Canada
Winter Games in 2023, one thing his dad did in 2007.

Tommy was an individual that simply made connections with individuals, significantly
via the nationwide recreation. One 12 months, when nobody stepped as much as coach a U18
group, Tommy agreed to take the reins.

“This is one of my favourite stories about my dad,” James says. “He did
what nobody else wished to do and people children grew as much as be leaders of their
communities. He was proud to be Indigenous and he wished to supply
alternatives for others within the North.”

When Tommy died, these gamers shared with the Williams household how he
helped them off the ice as a lot as he did on it.

The affect Tommy left on the neighborhood is huge. On prime of being the
president and CEO of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, he additionally
opened a sports activities tools retailer in Inuvik so extra Indigenous youth may
become involved in hockey. He by no means believed that simply because a household
couldn’t afford to play shouldn’t imply they couldn’t play, and helped
create a fund to assist cowl charges for gamers.

“He simply wished children from the North to have the identical benefit as the children
within the south,” says James. “He was a public servant by commerce, and he
understood that position, however he additionally understood the necessity to give again via
sports activities.”

Before he died, the neighborhood honoured Tommy for his contributions to the
recreation by retiring his Mad Trappers jersey on the Ed Jeske Olympic Arena in
city, a second that meant lots to the Williams household.

“He was so honoured and emotional to see that recognition,” Aurora says. “I
nonetheless get emotional after I go to the rink and see his jersey. We are all so
proud to see that recognition.”

Hockey will all the time be part of their lives as James, Aurora and her
husband Bryon all play within the rec leagues in Inuvik, and 4 of Aurora’s
youngsters play. Knowing how a lot Tommy liked the sport, they wish to proceed
to hold his legacy for his or her children, but in addition youth of their communities.

“He was a wonderful man that shared his passion of hockey with everyone,”
Pamela says. “He was taken way too soon, but we had a good life.”