Memorial grows in Whitewood, Sask. outdoor rink to remember the local hockey player – Regina | The Canadian News

A 12th grade student from the Ochapowace First Nation is remembered for the life he led. A memorial for Carter Bear was installed at an outdoor ice rink in Whitewood, Sask., A city near his home community.

“Every time someone saw him, he had a smile on his face,” said Bear’s best friend, Dannicka Kequahtooway. “It would make anyone’s day just by being himself.”

Bear was skating outside on a rink in Moosomin, a nearby town, on Sunday, December 19, when he collapsed. His best friend confirms that it was there that he died.

It is not known at this time what caused his death, but what is on people’s minds is the life he lived and the dreams he had.

Kequahtooway said that she and Bear knew everything about each other and spent time daydreaming about what their future would be like.

“A week ago, we were talking about moving to Saskatoon after graduating and going to school,” he said. “He always planned the type of house he wanted to live in. [with] many windows “.

His hard work is remembered by family, friends, and others in the community. Although he was a senior in high school, Bear had two jobs in addition to playing hockey for the Whitewood Jets U18.

“That was when I was happiest is when I was skating,” he said. “Last year … he couldn’t skate so he would throw me on his hockey stick.”

Community members and friends have added flowers, candles, and two hockey sticks to Bear’s outdoor memorial.

Kequahtooway says that she will miss her best friend’s smile more, something she will never see again but will remember through her cherished memories.

“Everyone can tell that her smile was so contagious,” he said. “I was always jealous of his straight teeth because they were so perfect.”

Bear leaves behind his family at Ochapowace First Nation, his hockey buddies in Whitewood, his friends at school, and his best friend.

Whitewood is about 170 kilometers east of Regina.

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