Dakota Tipi First Nation kicked off their Dakota Days event yesterday and an NHL draft pick was in attendance.

Winnipeg’s own Conner Roulette made the trip to the event to talk to the youth at the First Nation. The recent member of Team Canada says it’s pretty cool to be speaking at an event like this and describes why he attended.

“When you’re a young kid, and you see someone in a position like I am, speak it gives some extra motivation to keep going,” says Roulette. “That’s what I went through growing up, seeing speakers and it helped me get where I am today.”

The Seattle Thunderbirds' forward says he wanted to tell the kids in attendance to make sure they have fun in everything they do and to enjoy the journey. He adds, for those looking to follow in his footsteps, play the game in any and every way you can whether it's street hockey or at the AAA level.

Roulette says his experience with Team Canada was unbelievable.

“It’s such an honour just to put on that leaf. So many great players have been through that organization and got to wear that jersey,” Roulette explains. “To be considered in that spectrum of players is a great feeling. There’s a lot of pride you take, just playing in one game even. I know I made my family proud and I know I made a lot of indigenous people proud.” 

Roulette was picked in the fourth round of the 2021 NHL entry draft by the Dallas Stars. He says he plans to return to Seattle this year and play another season in the WHL.