Fred Sasakamoose

Who is Fred Sasakamoose?

Frederick "Chief Running Deer" Sasakamoose was the first Canadian aboriginal player in the National Hockey League, and the first First Nations player with treaty status.

He grew up on the Ahtahkakoop Indian reserve in Saskatchewan and learned to play hockey at an Indian residential school in Duck Lake. In 1953 he was selected as the most valuable player in the junior Western Canada Junior Hockey League. He made his debut in the NHL for the Chicago Black Hawks at Maple Leaf Gardens the night of February 27, 1954. He played with the Blackhawks during the rest of the 1953–1954 season, and in following years in the minor leagues.

After retiring from hockey he became a band councillor on his home reserve and later chief for six years. He has also been extensively involved in the development of sports programs for aboriginal children. In 2002 he was honoured by the Blackhawks at a home game.