 Welcome back Lakeland sports and freshman offensive in Bemidji State We're now talking with Zach Whiteclout for the first time pleasure to meet you first of all sir nice to meet you and Well, tell us first of all your journey to Bemidji State when you found out who was recruiting you hard and then that decision My journey here. I guess it wasn't an easy one. I mean It definitely took a while to kind of get out on the college route and figure things out You know, I didn't really discover the college route until about 17 18 years old So a little later than most but you know my coach and juniors really helped me out and helped me with my video and the recruiting process and everything So that's definitely how I got myself down here. I watched a little video on the old YouTube too and just take a look at that highlights I'm sure the coaches so which coach were you in contact with first? I was in contact with Teddy Bilal. He's not here anymore He's now on the bigger and better things and but he he he really helped me Make my decision a lot easier He was very supportive and he was always making sure that I knew what was going on Where I kind of stood in there in their plan of attack and things like that So it was always comforting knowing that that he really cared about me and cared about my experience with the recruiting process Brandon not too far from Bemidji compared to some of the recruits obviously and you must have like that too So friends family that type of thing could could make it down here. Yeah, definitely I mean my parents get to come down Pretty much every weekend and even to some of the way games So I'm definitely extremely grateful that I get to play hockey where I do and for the organization that I do You know, it's close to home. It's only about six seven hours away So that makes it all the more special to even play hockey in the in the hockey state in Minnesota But to but to have my parents come down here and experience the journey along with me So a couple years ago. I saw that you won a manitoba as Aboriginal award Is that is that accurate and tell us about that? Oh, yeah, so I mean I I never really go with specific titles But I mean it they have the title on in a male athlete of the year for 2015 2016 I was extremely grateful about receiving that award and you know only one person gets to receive it. So, you know, definitely getting that is Is is something incredibly special Not too many people from my area or from my reservation at all have ever received that so to put my reservation on the map like that and to know that athletes do and can come out of there is is very special to me and Just representing my culture like that is is something I aim to do and continue to do throughout my life So tremendous achievement Dakota nation Correct and how many are playing hockey and is it growing in Manitoba? You know, I couldn't tell you an actual stat, and I can't even give you a rough number I mean a couple other Aboriginal hockey players. I know of Ethan bear. He's with the Seattle Thunderbirds Drafted to the Edmonton Oilers. I Mean the list goes on and on I mean the Nolan the Nolan family Ted Nolan Jordan Nolan those guys in NHL So I mean it's represented fairly well throughout throughout hockey, but you know, it's it's growing within the culture Which I it's just the big commitment issue I feel is is what I've learned over the the years and I've had friends and I grew up on an Aboriginal youth team So I just know the the commitment is an issue And it's just getting past that first barrier of the commitment and wanting to do what you want to do And this is something that I want to do all my life and continue to do for for a big part of my life And that's that's what I intend on doing. So sure is great to have you here Zach didn't take you too long to to get your first goal, right? I mean talk about that a little bit on the power play Just kind of flicked it Yeah, it was That was an experience. I'll never forget honestly And you know, I don't think any any kid would ever forget that experience Your thoughts are it's very early on in the season, but the potential of this team you must feel it Oh, I think I think everyone can feel it around Bemidji, you know This team's got it. I got a ton of power. I got a ton of scoring power good defensive abilities And I mean the goal tending is nothing short of stellar I mean, we've got all the tools and everyone in our locker room knows that everyone knows that and You know the viewers have always been known for the work ethic and that's what we pride ourselves in his work ethic Don't get beat by anyone and you know always have first touches on pox always win the battles You know, we're a hard-working team and that's what we pride, you know, and you put You put you put the skill we have the work ethic we have and the battle mentality we have you put that all together You've got one one nasty team coming at you every night And and that's what we're gonna do every night is we're we're gonna go out and we're gonna compete every single night That's that's and everyone knows that that's everyone knows that so You know, that's the one thing I like is that everyone everyone in that room is battling for the guy next to you And that's that's something that I'll I'll always have with me for the rest of my life And that's the lesson I've learned already and that's that's the way I love the play So, you know, this team has tremendous potential and we're gonna show it to you guys It's gonna be a lot of fun and it's a lot of fun meeting you too, sir and all the best here. We'll talk to you again later This is absolutely. Thank you very much for having me in those message. Nice meeting you too. Zack white cloud Freshman defenseman Brandon Manitou will be back in just a moment unlike the sports