Tuktoyaktuk goalie takes the net for Ontario junior 'A' hockey team

An Inuvialuit goalie from Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., has joined the junior A Espanola Express hockey team in the northern Ontario, inching closer to his dream of playing professional hockey in the NHL.

Mitchell Jacobson, 18, previously played goal for the Onion Lake Border Chiefs in the North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League for the past year and a half.

Mitchell's father, Jackie Jacobson, former speaker of the N.W.T. legislative assembly, said his son did not hesitate to make the move to the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League after he got the call last week.

Jackie Jacobson flew from Tuktoyaktuk the day after he got the news and travelled all day and night with his son to Espanola, Ont.

"[He] slept for five hours and already he was on the ice practicing with the team," said Jacobson.

"It's a big step and good accomplishment on Mitchell himself and all the hard work he's done this year to get to where he's at."

Jacobson said Mitchell started playing minor hockey in Tuktoyaktuk when he was five years old. As his interest in the sport progressed, he eventually moved away from his home community and family.

He was only 13 years old at the time, but Jacobson said his son was committed to honing his goalkeeping skills in the Okanagan region of British Columbia.

Since then, he said his son has vastly improved his skill set and has continually moved on to higher level leagues.

'Hard work prevails'

Jacobson said his son dreams of being in the NHL and is inspired by the success of Indigenous NHL hockey players such as Chicago Blackhawks forward Jordin Tootoo, New Jersey Devils forward Vernon Fiddler, and Montreal Canadiens all-star goalie Carey Price.

Jacobson said Mitchell got to meet those players last year when he was invited to Jordin Tootoo's home.

"That's what he's been pursuing. He wants to make it to the NHL, make it to the next level."

Jacobson said his son's work ethic is a good example for other aspiring hockey players in the Northwest Territories to realize that they too can have success in pursuing their goals.

"To all the young guys out there: just keep working hard. Hard work prevails and it's showing right now for my boy."