The National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) are about to get underway! A group of dedicated coaches will be supporting the athletes as they aim for the top in Regina. In the flurry of anticipation, as everyone prepares for the big event, we profiled a few of the coaches whose passion, dedication and expertise are driving the success of Team Eastern Door and the North (EDN).
Women’s team
Patrice Dominique: Head Coach
Patrice Dominique, an Innu from the community of Mashteuiatsh, has spent a big part of his life coaching hockey at various levels, including AA and BB. He also coached the EDN track and field team at the 2023 North American Indigenous Games (NAIG). His commitment to athletic development and his community involvement have made him a respected and influential figure in Indigenous sports.
“For me, it’s a pleasure to be involved in the NAHC again, having already participated in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2024 and 2025. It’s the sort of challenge that every coach dreams of.”
Skylar King: Assistant Coach
Skylar King is from Akwesasne. Her rich and diverse athletic background has gradually transformed into a true passion for leadership, mentorship, and youth development. As a graduate of the Ontario Hockey Academy in Cornwall, Ontario, she acquired a solid foundation in skills development and teamwork, which are essential to her personal and professional growth.
Over the course of her career, she participated in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships for four consecutive years, winning three silver medals and one gold medal. She also represented the New York softball team at the North American Indigenous Games in British Columbia. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to Indigenous sport, collaboration, and the pride of representing her community on the national stage.
Outside of hockey, Skylar is the President of the Akwesasne A1A lacrosse program, where she works on youth development, athlete progression, and creating inclusive and positive environments. Her approach as coach for Team Eastern Door and the North is based on mentorship and community pride, with an emphasis on developing confidence, character, and a passion for sport in athletes.
Kwaronienhawi Jacobs: Assistant Coach
Kwaronienhawi Jacobs, who hails from Kahnawake, is in her fourth year with the Team EDN coaching staff. She was a goalie for Team EDN at the NAHC from 2003 to 2008, winning one gold and four silver medals. Determined to create more development, training and access opportunities for Kahnawake youth, she is General Manager of sports and recreation and is training as a firefighter and paramedic. Sports have always been a big part of who she is, shaping her professional and family life and guiding her volunteer work.
Focused on helping athletes reach their full potential, Kwaronienhawi emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities, in the spirit of the famous quote by Wayne Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Konwatharani Jacobs: Manager
Konwatharani Jacobs is passionate about sports and a proud member of the Kahnawake Fire Brigade. She has been a member of the EDN women’s hockey team since 2002, winning one gold and four silver medals as an athlete. Her journey as a Team EDN coach began in 2015, and she served as assistant and head coach in 2016, 2017, 2022 and 2024. She participated in the NAIG twice, competing in softball in Denver and basketball in Winnipeg, enriching experiences that allowed her to form deep connections on both the athletic and cultural fronts.
Her involvement in hockey encouraged her to pursue higher education. Her athletic prowess in hockey, softball and basketball made her realize that she could succeed in her studies, just as she had with sports. With her personal and athletic background, she aspires to bridge gaps and create opportunities for young people, especially female athletes. In doing so, she is mirroring the journey of role models such as Brooke Stacey, a former member of Team EDN who embodies perseverance and determination, both as an athlete and a mother.
Kateri Oesterreich: First Aid Attendant
Kateri Oesterreich, who hails from Kahnawake, works full time as a paramedic for the Kahnawake Fire Brigade and the Kahnawake ambulance service. This will be her fifth time at the NAHC as first aid attendant for the EDN women’s hockey team. She is very proud and honoured to be part of a team that represents First Nations athletes in Quebec. Kateri wishes all the athletes an incredible time in Saskatchewan and hopes they will create lasting memories.
Men’s team
Steeve Gros-Louis: Head Coach
Steeve Gros-Louis, head coach of the EDN men’s hockey team, is from Wendake. He has more than 30 years of experience coaching hockey. For 20 years or so, he was involved with Hockey Québec Centre, coaching teams from the MAHG level to the junior level. He has been involved with Team EDN for almost a decade and feels privileged to have served as head coach of the men’s team for the last few years. His sustained commitment reflects how much he cares about hockey and player development.
Adam Jourdain: Assistant Coach
Adam Jourdain is an Innu from Uashat mak Mani-Utenam. He is returning to a coaching role for a fourth year in a row. A former player in the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League, he knows first-hand the demands and challenges of the sport. His background as a coach and player gives him a unique perspective, enabling him to share useful advice and technical expertise with the players.
Mike Stacey: Assistant Coach
Mike Stacey, a Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) from Kahnawake, is joining the coaching staff for the men’s team for a second year. He began his hockey journey playing double-letter hockey before advancing to Junior AAA and the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League. He then pursued a career in minor pro hockey in the United States and competed in Quebec’s semi-pro leagues. Passionate about giving back to his community, Mike has been coaching youth hockey on and off since he was 19, sharing his experience and love for the game with the next generation.
Alain Madore: Manager
Alain Madore has been a hockey coach and manager for some 40 years. His extensive experience includes five years working as a manager for Team EDN at the NAHC, where he demonstrated his ability to successfully manage and guide the team. Alain also proved himself as a baseball coach at the last NAIG, highlighting his versatility and ability to excel. His enduring commitment and his dedication to player development are a big part of why he has such a stellar reputation in the sports world.
