Our Roots

I started Sunday Hockey as a proud Moose Cree First Nation member from Moosonee, Ontario, drawing from my own lived experience.
I left home at 13 to chase the game I loved, playing elite-level hockey for nine years, including as a varsity athlete at Laurentian University. My journey reflects the resilience and discipline that Sunday Hockey stands for.
After years of traveling across the country for "Rez hockey" tournaments and mentoring youth in my home region, I launched Sunday Hockey to give back, blending professional-level hockey training, Indigenous identity, and street-to-rink apparel.

Our Mission

At Sunday Hockey, our mission is to empower youth in rural Indigenous communities by creating opportunities to build skills, confidence, and new possibilities through the game of hockey.

Growing up in Moosonee and Moose Factory, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to pursue big dreams from a small, remote place. Like many others, I had to leave home at a young age to chase opportunities in hockey and education. It meant being far from my family, my community, and the people who shaped me. That experience taught me a lot, but it also showed me how much is missing when youth in the North do not have the same access to training and support as others.

Sunday Hockey is my way of giving back. It is about bridging the gap and bringing quality coaching, mentorship, and resources to our youth so they can pursue their passions without having to leave home. There is so much untapped, self-taught talent in Indigenous communities. This initiative was created to help that talent grow, thrive, and be recognized.

Pursuing a hockey career can be isolating. It demands sacrifice, time away from home, long stretches on the road, and the pressure to prove yourself in spaces where you may not feel like you belong. I have lived that life. While I am grateful for all the game has given me, I also recognize that I was only able to succeed because of the support I had behind me. That support came from my family, my community, and especially my dad.

Sunday Hockey is dedicated to my late father, Raymond Butterfly. He was not only my first coach but also my greatest inspiration. From an early age, he taught me the importance of hard work, perseverance, staying true to myself, and maintaining a relationship with God. Before his passing, I shared the idea of Sunday Hockey with him. I carry his lessons with me every day. Hockey became my space for healing, reflection, and growth. Through this initiative, I want to pass those lessons on.

Sunday Hockey is more than just a program. It is a commitment to building up the next generation of athletes, leaders, and role models. I hope this work continues to make my dad proud, and I hope it helps youth across the North pursue their dreams with strength, support, and a deep sense of pride in where they come from.