WENATCHEE, Wash. — As the championships continue to accumulate for Estevan’s Boston Tait, he remains grateful for the support he has received in his hometown.
The defenceman was an alternate captain for the Team Canada Red entry that won gold at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge Nov. 8 in Truro, N.S. He had already won a Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League title and a Telus Cup U18 AAA national championship with the Regina Pat Canadians earlier this year.
Tait, who was born and raised in Estevan and played his minor hockey in the Estevan Minor Hockey Association, said he has always had support of people he knows in the Energy City.
“My family was able to make it out there, so that was awesome. And then obviously [there were] lots of messages from people, and people reaching out to support me, so I really appreciate that,” said Tait, who thanked his coaches, teammates, teachers and others over the years who helped him reach this point.
“I always dreamed of wearing the Canadian crest,” he added later. “It couldn’t have come together without all of the people and the support from Estevan, so I’m really, truly grateful for that.”
Team Canada Red doubled up Team Canada White 6-3 in the final in what was a physical contest.
“There definitely was some rivalry, just knowing lots of players on the other team, competing against them in the Western Hockey League and lots of times before, so it was definitely a very competitive game and it could have gone either way,” said Tait.
He thought Team Canada Red came together quickly. Tait noted the players came from different locations, teams and on-ice systems, but everyone bought into what they needed to do to win. Off the ice, they had team-building exercises that built friendships among the players.
Tait found himself with teammates he’d faced previously, including some from his appearance in the Western Hockey League Cup.
“I’ve played with lots of them throughout the summers and on different teams, so we’ve crossed paths lots, and it’s really cool to see how we’ve all developed and all our dreams are coming true,” he said.
Tait laughed when he recalled that a week before the tournament, he had a fight in a game with one of the players who was also on Team Canada Red.
“When you compete and battle those guys, it’s never personal. You always have so much respect for your opponents, and I think that when other guys are competing like that against you, you really admire that, and when they’re on your team, you can’t wait to be teammates with them and compete alongside them for your country," said Tait.
And in the gold medal game, he lined up against Maddox Schultz of Team Canada White – one of Tait’s teammates from the Pat Canadians championship team.
Tait said it’s such an honour to put on the Team Canada jersey. For most players in the tournament, it’s their first opportunity to play in an international tournament.
“You grow up watching people, your idols, wearing that crest, and to be out there and win a gold medal for your country, that’s something that’s tough to put into words,” said Tait.
He recalled watching the tournament a year ago and being motivated to be selected. Tait then attended a selection camp with other hopefuls from across the country during the summer, and was informed a few weeks ago he would be on Team Canada Red.
Tait said he didn’t feel any extra pressure being an alternate captain.
“It’s a position that I had been in before, and I got that letter, I think, because of the person I am. I didn’t really change myself. I’ll just be who I am, and it’s a huge honour to be recognized with that, but I don’t feel added pressure from it,” he said.
Tait added Team Canada Red had lots of players who would have been deserving of a captain’s C or an alternate’s A.
Tait is now back with the Wenatchee Wild of the Western Hockey League. He had three assists in 11 games before going to the WU-17 Hockey Challenge.
I’ve learned a lot from the coaching staff here in Wenatchee that has really helped me develop and really helped me be selected for that team,” said Tait.
The coaches, his teammates and the front office have been “so supportive of the big learning curve” as he goes through the jump from U18 AAA hockey to the Western Hockey League.
