anthony thomas

winninG cHarM

Thomas Anthony is not one to shy away from attention. When I asked Anthony what drives him on the ice he replied with youthful confidence: “You know, why come and play soft when you can go all out,” said Anthony. “I like to put on a good show for the fans too. I want them to know that there’s a lot of good talent here. You want everybody to see it so you might as well show it while you can.”

Anthony started to play hockey at the age of 10 and his hockey idol was Tim Gordon. Since then he has turned into a skilled player and mentors young hockey players with their game. I ask him if it’s flattering or an overwhelming sense of responsibility that kids look up to him. “Actually I enjoy being a role model,” Anthony replied. “I like kids. I love kids. I’ll do anything to help them out. Keep them out of trouble. People did that for me so why not turn around and give it back.”

Anthony has a boyish charm and easy energy and I could not help but wonder what makes this guy so happy. After we talk about hockey I asked him what he is thankful for everyday. Without hesitating he replied, “Gotta a good woman, my family’s still healthy, strong, I’m working.”

Since it was apparent he was happy with his life and his relationship I asked him to offer some relationship advice and he calmly answered that he’s still “kind of young...still learning.” While he did not have much to say in way of relationship advice, he did reveal that his motto in life was to “Just be happy, keep going forward and never look back.”

What does Thomas Anthony like most about being Inuvialuit? “Traditional foods!”