Blair Atcheynum facts for kids

Blair Michael Atcheynum, born on April 20, 1969, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He played as a right winger. Blair is from the Sweetgrass First Nation and is of Cree descent.

Blair Atcheynum's Hockey Journey

Starting in the WHL and Drafted by the NHL

Blair Atcheynum was a talented young hockey player. He played for the Moose Jaw Warriors in the Western Hockey League (WHL). In the 1988–89 season, he scored an amazing 70 goals in 71 games!

Because of his great performance, Blair was chosen in the 1989 NHL Entry Draft. This is when professional hockey teams pick young players to join their clubs. The Hartford Whalers picked him in the third round, as the 52nd player overall.

Making it to the NHL

Even though he was drafted, Blair didn't play for the Whalers in the National Hockey League (NHL). He spent most of his early career playing in the minor leagues. These are professional leagues below the NHL, where players develop their skills.

In 1992, a new team called the Ottawa Senators joined the NHL. They picked Blair in the 1992 NHL Expansion Draft. This draft allows new teams to select players from other teams.

Blair got his first chance to play in the NHL during the 1992–93 season with the Ottawa Senators. He played four games, but spent most of that season with their "farm team," the New Haven Senators in the American Hockey League (AHL). A farm team is like a training ground for players who might later join the main NHL team.

It took four more years for Blair to become a regular NHL player. In the 1997–98 season, he signed with the St. Louis Blues as a "free agent." This means he was not under contract with any team and could choose which team to join. He played 61 games for the Blues, scoring 11 goals and 15 assists. The Blues' general manager, Larry Pleau, was impressed by Blair's hard work. He said Blair was one of their top forwards and could even play on the first or second line if needed. Blair often played on a line with Craig Conroy and Scott Pellerin, and fans called them the "CPA Line."

Moving Teams and Retiring

The next year, in 1998, Blair was picked again in an NHL Expansion Draft. This time, the new Nashville Predators chose him. He played 53 games for the Predators before being traded back to the St. Louis Blues.

In 1999, Blair signed with the Chicago Blackhawks. He played 66 games for them between 1999 and 2001. Blair Atcheynum retired from playing professional hockey in 2001.

After Playing Hockey

After his playing career, Blair Atcheynum became an assistant coach for the Battlefords North Stars in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. People say he has helped the North Stars play "fast and intelligent hockey."

In 2012, Blair was honored at the First Nation Games. He was recognized alongside Fred Sasakamoose, who was the first treaty Indian to play in the NHL. Both Blair and Fred were celebrated as role models for young First Nations athletes.

Awards

• WHL East First All-Star Team – 1989