Chapleau's Dakotah Woods signs to play junior hockey with Temiscaming Titans for 2019-2020 season

Dad looks on as Dakotah signs

Dakotah Woods, who started his hockey career in Chapleau has signed to play for the Temiscaming Titans for the 2019-2020 season, the hockey club has announced.

In a news release the club based in Temiscaming, Quebec said that "Former QMJHL Rempart joins Titans The Titans are proud to announce a major signing."

It added that  "Titans defense got a lot bigger as rear guard Dakotah Woods, 1998 born, 6 '6” 225lb signed his contract and joined the Titans blue line. Dakotah spent 1 complete season with the Remparts of Quebec in the QMJHL at the age of 17.

 "Since then, he won the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) Championship in 2017-18, and then participated in the Dudley Hewitt Cup that same year with the Dryden Ice Dogs.. 

"The veteran then wore the colors with the NOJHL’s Powassan Voodoos last season."  Dakotah has also played for other junior teams.

In a Facebook post the Titans said  that "The impact that Dakotah will have on the Titans, but also on the league as a whole, is major. Dakotah is an experienced defenseman who has played at the highest level Junior, the Major Junior, while being a champion in another junior league. 

Dakotah with his number and team manager

"These are experiences that can’t be bought and that very few players possess in our league. Dakotah has played in almost 240 games at the junior level.  In terms of hockey, Dakotah is a solid blueliner, with a long reach that helps him particularly in 1-on-1 situations, and a physical strength that his opponents do not have. All teams are looking for a defender like him but, very few find. Dakotah Woods will be number 66 with the Blues.

"Welcome to the Titans Dakotah !."

According to Wikipedia the Temiscaming Titans are a junior ice hockey team based in Témiscaming, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the North Division of the Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League. The Titans play their home games at the 750 seat Le Centre de Témiscaming.

In an earlier column about Dakotah when he signed with the Quebec Remparts, his father Gordon Woods told me that his son had taken figure skating lessons when he was four years old, I just had to include a question to Dakotah about it in an interview in which we texted back and forth --- he texts much faster than I do. Dakotah was born in Chapleau.

Dakotah said that figure skating helped him out "a lot really. You know you learn all your edges and have to stay balanced or you fall. Strapping on a pair of skates at young age is tough. Figure skating taught me a lot."

Dakotah is the son of Gordie and Isabelle (Saunders) Woods. He is also a member of Brunswick House First Nation.

Before the family moved to North Bay in 2008, he played Initiation, Novice and Atom on Chapleau Minor Hockey Association teams. 

;The following is the announcement of Dakotah's signing with the Titans in French from the hockey club: 

"Les Titans sont fiers d’annoncer une signature majeure. 
Le défenseur format géant Dakotah Woods (98) 6’ 6’’ 225l a signé son contrat ce midi et portera les couleurs des Titans cette saison Dakotah a passé 1 saison complète avec les Remparts de Québec à l’âge de 17 ans. Depuis, il a remporté le Championnat de la Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) en 2017-18, puis a participé à la Coupe Dudley Hewitt cette même année. Le vétéran s’est aligné avec les Powassan Voodoos de la NOJHL la saison dernière. Voici ce que notre directeur général peut nous dire à propos de sa plus récente acquisition. 

« L’impact que Dakotah aura pour les Titans, mais aussi pour la ligue en entier, est majeur. Dakotah est un défenseur expérimenté ayant joué au plus haut niveau Jr, soit le Junior Majeur, tout en étant un champion dans une autre ligue Jr. Il s’agit d’expériences qui ne s’achètent pas et que bien peu de joueurs possèdent dans notre ligue avec presque 240 matchs disputés au niveau junior 

"Sur le plan strictement du hockey, Dakotah est un solide arrière défensif, doté d’une longue portée qui l’aide particulièrement à 1 contre 1, et d’une force physique que ses adversaires ne possèdent pas. Toutes les équipes recherchent un défenseur comme lui mais, bien peu en trouvent. »Dakotah Woods portera le numéro 66 avec les Bleus. 
Bienvenue chez les Titans Dakotah"

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Dakotah Woods of Quebec Remparts gives motivational talks to youth at Brunswick House First Nation and Chapleau Cree First Nation

Dakotah Woods, who plays hockey for the Quebec Remparts, says that a highlight for him at his motivational talks was "seeing all the kids with smiles on their faces."

Dakotah, who was born in Chapleau and started his career in the Chapleau Minor Hockey Association returned home to speak to youth at Brunswick House First Nation and Chapleau Cree First Nation. 

The son of Isabelle (Saunders) and Gordon Woods, he is a member of Brunswick House First Nation.

 His talks focused on dedication, commitment and determination to achieve goals. "It's what you need, not only in sport but in life overall.

However, twice in our texting interview he mentioned the "special feeling" he got in seeing smiles on the youth's faces.

"It was a great experience for me. going back to my community and putting smiles on the kids' faces", adding that it is  "always good to share your story with others as well".

Dakotah signing rookie cards

Dakotah added: "It was a great opportunity for me to share my story with people back home, to let them know there's more out there than getting into trouble and going down the wrong road".

He was pleased with the response to his talks where he also signed Rookie cards for each of the attendees who also received a cap, puck and Quebec Remparts hoodie.

He plans to continue his talks with young people sharing "what's going on" from his point of view.

"I had a great time doing this. It was very good for myself as well as for the people listening and good for the people in the community. It's always s special feeling seeing all the kids with the smiles on their faces."

Dakotah with from left Christine Redbreast, Angela Saunders and Margaret Quakagesik at Brunswick House First Nation

His hockey career actually started in the Mrs. A.W. Moore Arena when he was four years old with figure skating lessons. In an earlier interview, he explained that figure skating had helped him a lot. 

"You know you learn all your edges and have to stay balanced or you fall. Strapping on a pair of skates at young age is tough. Figure skating taught me a lot."

Dakotah with from left Tracy Martin and Peggy Domingue at Chapleau Cree First Nation

He played minor hockey in Chapleau until his family moved to North Bay in 2008. Before joining the Remparts of theQuebec Major Junior Hockey League for the 2015-16 season, he played for the Elliot Lake Wildcats of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.

He also played several exhibition games with the Oshawa Generals of the Ontario Hockey League, so has the distinction of playing in two of Canada's major junior hockey leagues.

Dakotah is already preparing for the upcoming hockey season. He advised that he is in the gym five or six days a week, working on his weaknesses as well as his strengths. "Foot speed is the biggest weakness I am working on now".

"I am getting the proper rest and enjoying the rest of the time with friends and family before this upcoming season."

Dakotah added: "I thank both reserves for welcoming me to come and visit and hear what I had to say. I also thank everyone who has supported me. I wouldn't be where I am today without thrm".

His father Gordie extended thanks to Mervin Cheechoo who is helping Dakotah with his motivational speaking, and also to his agent Adrian Gedye for all his help. Gordie also thanked Dakotah's  personal  psychological and physical coach, Chris St. Marseille, who deals with these aspects of his son's game.

I extend my most sincere congratulations to Dakotah for taking time to chat with the youth and Brunswick House First Nation and Chapleau Cree First Nation, and yes, it is always a great feeling when we can put smiles on people's faces. All the best for the upcoming season Dakotah. My email is mj.morris@live.ca