A Season of Great Accomplishments in the NHL
April 23, 2006

by Steve Valerio
Director of Communications

The 2005-2006 NHL regular season has come to an end after 2460 games.  Here are some of the highlights that took place over the NHL regular season as observed by Nativehockey.com

The Jonathan Cheechoo Show
Jonathan became only the second aboriginal player to reach the 50 goal mark when he tallied 56 goals this season.  The great Reggie Leach was the last native player to accomplish this feat in 1980, and previously in 1976.  Cheech also added 37 assists for a season total of 93 points which was good enough for 10th place among all NHL players.  Also of note is the fact that Jonathan did not miss a single game all season, playing in all 82 games of the regular season.  Pretty impressive totals for the rising star from Moose Factory, Ontario.  Congrats to Jon Cheechoo on an unbelievable regular season and winning the Maurice Richard Trophy as the NHL’s leading goal scorer for 2005-2006!

Mr. Steady, Wade Redden
This season was the debut of the “New NHL”.  Rule changes such as the elimination of the two line pass and the crackdown on the clutching, holding and hooking helped to make for a more wide open game.  And no defenseman is better suited for the new look NHL than Wade Redden.  There are few D-men who can make that long breakout pass as well as Wade.  His speed and puck handling ability, along with solid defensive play have made Mr. Redden a premier player in the NHL.  Wade’s steady and consistent play helped him to finish the season with a league leading +35 in +/-.

Welcome to The Show, Rene Bourque
The 2004 – 2005 NHL lockout was probably the best thing to happen to Rene Bourque at that time.  After spending an entire season playing in the AHL, earning the AHL Rookie of the Year award along the way, Rene hit the 2005 – 2006 season ready to make his mark in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks.  Rene completed a great NHL rookie season by playing in 77 games and recording 16 goals and 34 points.  Rene scored his first NHL goal in his first regular season game on October 5th, against Anaheim.

610 games were played in the NHL by players of aboriginal heritage that we are aware of.  That number is remarkable but most likely low due to players that have not yet been brought to our attention as being of aboriginal descent.  Still, this is an impressive representation of Native players making their presence known at the NHL level.  We’d certainly like to see that number grow, and it surely will in the coming years as Native kids everywhere start believing in they can make it to the NHL. 

The 2005 – 2006 NHL regular season was very exciting and memorable, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs are sure to bring the action, intensity and excitement up to even greater levels.  And you can bet your fry bread that all of our playoff bound, Native hockey players, will be right in the middle of the playoff pandemonium. 
 

Congratulations to all the Native hockey players on a successful 2005 – 2006 season, from the NHL players to the kids in minor hockey programs across North America.  Keep working hard, keep your dreams alive, and never give up on yourself!