Cost, distance keeping Gino Odjick's nephew from playing high-level hockey, family says
League denied team's request to add Marcus Odjick because he didn't attend camp
The nephew of Kitigan Zibi Anishinābeg hockey legend Gino Odjick is playing at a level below his ability because financial and transportation barriers kept him from attending camp, the family says.
Marcus Kistabish Odjick is nephew of the late NHL enforcer and fan favourite Gino Odjick, who played in the National Hockey League from 1990 to 2002.
The younger Odjick is currently playing with the Loups des Collines in the BB under-13 age division and is an affiliated player with Les Olympiques de l'Outaouais in the AA under-13 division.
Odjick has played seven games with the AA team this season, and Les Olympiques would like to keep him based on his play.
"I felt like I was more on my level," Odjick told CBC. "In double B, I don't feel really challenged."
However, Hockey Outaouais has refused the necessary accommodation because Odjick did not participate in the AA camp before the start of the season.
I'm hoping they will let him play at his level.- Dina Odjick
"This year, he's ready for it, and I'm hoping they will let him play at his level," said Dina Odjick, Marcus's grandmother.
She said financial and travel hurdles meant her grandson was unable to attend the AA team's camp.
A member of Kitigan Zibi, Marcus Odjick lives near Maniwaki about 130 kilometres north of Gatineau.
WATCH | The barriers the Odjicks are facing:
His case demonstrates the difficulties encountered by young hockey players from towns located on the outskirts of the Outaouais. No AA hockey team in Odjick's age group exists near Maniwaki.
"They should realize how hard already it is for us, to be able to travel," Dina Odjick said.
'Rules to follow'
In an email exchange with the team, president of Ligue de Hockey Régionale de l'Outaouais Éric Vézina said Odjick would be granted an exception to be affiliated with the AA team, but would not be allowed to graduate to the higher level.
"Since the requirements were known from the start … the player will not be able to graduate from BB to AA, as requested," Vézina wrote in French. "Fairness toward all Outaouais players having participated in the AA camp … was taken into consideration."
But Éric Cimon, regulatory and safety co-ordinator with Hockey Quebec, said in an email the primary goal is for players to develop at the correct level.
Odjick's family and financial realities were obstacles to his registration in the AA camp, Cimon said, and his circumstances represent a valid argument for reassessing the decision.
"When a solution exists, we should not be slowed down by fear of setting a precedent," he wrote in French.
Hockey Quebec is a branch of Hockey Canada and is the governing body of all ice hockey in the province.
President of Hockey Outaouais Pierre Montreuil said in an email the family is aware of the reasons why Odjick is not able to play for the AA team, and added "there's rules to follow."
League policy states a player must have participated in camp or pre-camp to be eligible for playing in AA, Montreuil wrote in French. Bringing up a player who hasn't completed the camp would force another player to be brought down, he added.
"Following a discussion with a member of Hockey Quebec, this player is being monitored to see if he dominates his sport at BB. For the present, he is considered a good player because he averages one point per game," Montreuil wrote in French in an email to Radio-Canada.
Montreuil added the AA games are great experience for Odjick, and the young player will have plenty of opportunities at the higher level in the future.
Dina Odjick said she understands the rule but still disagrees with the decision.
"It really sucks for us since we live so far away and there's nothing for them to advance," she said.
With files from Celeste Decaire and Radio-Canada’s Jonathan Jobin