Kerrobert Tigers’ Tyson Wuttunee officially retires from SWHL
By Jordan Parker
The oldest active player in the Saskatchewan Western Hockey League retired Saturday after 20 years of playing senior hockey.
Kerrobert Tigers captain Tyson Wuttunee had family and friends present. His parents gave a special blanket and sweetgrass to Tigers coach Brad Murphy, honouring a tradition in First Nations culture.
The player’s wife, three young girls, and brother Sheldon – a former player also – were also on-hand.
“The feeling during that ceremony was pretty emotional. I couldn’t believe I was going to finally be done playing competitive senior hockey. I still remember my younger days when I’d be ready to battle Friday and Saturday nights,” he said.
“All these memories just flooded back, but I know it’s time. I want to relax and hopefully now use my experience and knowledge to help the youth around Kerrobert. My memories will always just remind me how much I love this game.”
It’s been a long, winding road for Wuttunee and one that’s come full circle for the amiable star. Right out of junior, he was supposed to play at Notre Dame as a 21-year-old. He made the decision to stay and play senior hockey in North Battleford.
“I just made the decision to stick around and stay home and play,” said Wuttunee, who would go all over the area in his two decades.
He played for the Senior Cut Knife Colts in the North Saskatchewan River Hockey League, where he won the scoring race and was MVP. He then made a AAA senior run with his brother Sheldon in Battleford.
It was the 2002-2003 season where he played 21 games in the SWHL for the Tigers first, racking up 54 points. He would play two more seasons (scoring 98 points) before he headed to the Unity Miners, Laval Chiefs, Eston Ramblers and the Biggar Nationals across the province.
He returned to Kerrobert full-time in 2015-2016, and he’s now finished his career in the place he calls home.
“I met my wife here playing. I have three beautiful daughters, and my wife is a teacher,” he said. “I own my own excavating business now, and I’m so fortunate for the road senior hockey took me down. I’m lucky for the life I have now.”
Wuttunee decided to hang up his skates when he realized just how busy the whole family’s schedules were getting.
“My oldest is 11 and plays U-13 girls hockey. My middle girl is nine and busy, and my baby is seven and always has things going on. We could have ten games in a weekend, and my wife has been holding it down,” he said.
“I’m out running my company, and then dad comes home and has games all weekend too. It was time to shut it down and devote some time to my kids. I’m so fortunate my wife did this for so long, and I can’t thank her enough.”
His spouse Robbi Wuttunee was by his side for the incredible ceremony, and he was so happy to have that send-off.
“I phoned my family and made sure they’d be there. My parents presented the blanket for the team. It’s something we hold dear in our culture, and it’s presented to someone you have high respect and appreciation for,” he said.
“My parents gave me a blanket as well for being their son, and in recognition of my accomplishments over the years. It was bittersweet, but to share this was so special. I know I’ve turned heads here over the years, but being able to share my culture and be in the community, school and do my part is so important.”
Former Tigers defenseman and Tyson’s brother, Sheldon Wuttunee, played three seasons with Kerrobert. He was happy to be there for the night meant to honour his brother.
“From a big-brother, little-brother perspective, I’m just so proud of Tyson and what he’s accomplished on the ice. He’s a fantastic player and shows up to play every night. He’s been able to accomplish a lot in his own right,” he said.
“You see the young guys looking up to him in Kerrobert. He’s seven years younger, and it has been amazing to watch him grow. He took to hockey naturally, and the town embraced him as a player and a person. He has a genuine nature about him, and he tries his best to take care of everybody.”
He said his brother always plays fair and plays with class, with an incredible skill level.
“I couldn’t always say that for myself. I was rougher, tougher and chippy. To see him last that many years was amazing to watch. We won the league championship together in Kerrobert, and to have that with your brother is so special,” he said.
“That has carried Kerrobert over the years. It’s the last senior championship they won. The fans hold that team in high regard. Tyson has just done an amazing job, and I think he’s regarded as a top point-getter among players.”
They’re from Red Pheasant Cree First Nation reserve, and he says the relationships between First Nations and non-First Nations haven’t always been positive. But the older brother and Chief is also the President & CEO of the Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence.
He said Tyson always worked hard to build relationships.
“There’s been such an impact off-the-ice too. The town has done a good job recognizing and embracing Tyson, his family and his kids. They moved to host mini-powwows at the school. To see our Treaty Six flag and Metis flag the other night and see his daughters skating it around the ice was such an amazing thing,” he said.
“It brought tears to my eyes. It shows the impact Tyson, his wife and kids have made in that community.”
He said his brother is deserving on-the-ice, and he’s happy to see his jersey retired. But there’s so much more.
“The non-First Nations folks in Kerrobert have recognized and included him, and it’s truly what hockey is about. It’s about people raised differently and from different families who come together,” he said. “To pull that into a team concept and find a way to work and battle together is incredible. I’m so proud of everything my brother has done on-the-ice and off-the-ice.”
Retiree Wuttunee also knew it was time to step aside now and give others a chance to shine and take on a more significant role.
“Being the oldest guy out there, I was meeting kids who used to watch me in the stands. I’d play against guys who would tell me they used to look up to me. The respect I had on the ice was bar none,” he said.
“But I wanted to concentrate on my kids and give a chance for some of these young guys to come up and play more. I did a few more years to help the guys coming from junior to step into larger role.”
He said it’s important to him that the much-loved game in the province continues to find grounding and passionate players.
“I just want to make sure the talent in Saskatchewan just keeps coming. I look forward to helping with the game in other ways in the future,” he said. “I was really happy I didn’t get hurt, and I wasn’t struggling to play. I got to leave on a high note.”
He’s got a few offers on the table but hasn’t quite decided what’s coming for him in the future.
“I sharpen skates for kids in the community, and I don’t think I’ll ever get out of the game. I love it too much. I have a power skating program in the spring in Kerrobert, and I’m coaching a U-13 girls team in Kindersley,” he said.
“I will remain involved and keep my options open. But first and foremost, I want to coach and help my daughters as much as I can.”
Wuttunee will always remember the two decades he spent in rinks and carry those experiences with him into this new life chapter.
“I am so happy I helped all these small towns and communities have better hockey, and filling rinks with fans is something I’ll always hold dear. I appreciate everyone who’s helped me and been there for me along the way,” he said.
“I just want Saskatchewan to keep hockey and senior hockey alive. I hope I can inspire other kids to follow their dreams and never stop playing.”
The oldest active player in the Saskatchewan Western Hockey League is retiring after 20 years of playing senior hockey. A special pre-game ceremony was held for Tyson Wuttunee at the Kerrobert Tiger’s last home game of their SWHL season on Saturday, February 12. Wuttunee stands proudly with his three daughters and niece, who carried Treaty 6, Metis and Saskatchewan flags.
Pictured L-R: Kenley, Berkley, Tyson, Natalie Jo and Reese Wuttunee.
Kerrobert Tigers head coach and executive member, Brad Murphy, was one of the presentors at a special Feb. 12 ceremony honouring Tyson Wuttunee’s retirement.
Tyson Wuttunee stands with his wife Robin, parents and family following a special ceremony honouring his retirement from the Kerrobert Tigers on February 12.
Photos courtesy of Tracey Cholin