Whether on the ice playing hockey, or on the floor playing box lacrosse, Aaron Greyeyes has always been a highlight reel waiting to happen.
After a very successful junior career with the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), the highly skilled athlete is in his first year of senior hockey. He joined his brother and linemate Jordan, on the Rosthern Wheatkings of the Twin Rivers Hockey League for the 2022-23 season.
An outstanding two-sport athlete, Greyeyes also competed at the top level in lacrosse.
He played for Saskatchewan SWAT in the Rocky Mountain Junior Lacrosse League and the Six Nations Arrows of the Ontario Jr. Lacrosse League. He represented the Iroquois Nation at the World Junior Lacrosse Championship in Saskatoon in the summer of 2018.
Greyeyes began to play the two sports at a young age where the activities provided a much-needed outlet.
“It was always hockey season, then lacrosse season right after,” said Greyeyes, “Mom put me in there to keep me busy because I was a real hyperactive boy, always wanting to move. Sports was a way to get my energy out.”
Combining the two sports proved to be very beneficial.
“Lacrosse keeps your mind in it,” said Greyeyes. “It is the kind of sport to keep your eye-hand coordination up. It is faster-paced, a lot of passing, a lot more teamwork. Creatively, you can bring what you learn from lacrosse into hockey. Additionally you can bring hockey into lacrosse in a lot of creative ways.”
As a 15-year-old, Greyeyes split his time between the Beardy’s Blackhawks U18AA and the AAA squad. This was followed by two productive years with the Beardy’s U18AAA Blackhawks.
Originally selected by Battlefords in the SJHL draft, he was traded to La Ronge where he was a key part of the team for three years, earning high praise from his coach for his skill and work effort.
Greyeyes enjoyed his time playing in the northern community.
“La Ronge was a fantastic place to play, a great hockey atmosphere. The fans were great, the billets were fun.”
Greyeyes speaks very highly of the level of competition in the Twin Rivers Hockey League.
“Senior hockey is very high tempo,” said Greyeyes. “You keep your head up because there are a lot of bigger guys. I have good linemates to help keep me adjusted. It is fun to play with them.”
The two siblings have proven to be a great combination as Aaron currently leads the league in scoring with 23 goals, 14 assists for 37 points, while Jordan is fourth with 14 goals, 18 assists for 32 points.
The linemates played a key role in the Wheatkings’ 4-2 win over the Dalmeny Sabres in Rosthern on Saturday, January 14. Aaron scored the tieing goal, while Jordan sealed the game with an empty netter.
After a scoreless first period, Dalmeny took a 2-0 lead on goals by Terrin Belosowsky and Dawson Rowley.
Riley Albert’s powerplay marker cut the lead in half.
Aaron Greyeyes tied the game early in the third period and Brayden Anderson netted the game winner with two minutes left.
Rosthern head coach and team manager Jesse Mattson was very pleased with the team’s effort.
“Their goaltender was very hot tonight,” said Mattson. “We had our chances tonight. Some of the first period was the best hockey we played all year, but just couldn’t get a bounce to go in. Even being down 2-0 our guys knew if we kept working we would get a couple to tie things up. That is the thing, they are resilient. They never feel like they are out of a game. They don’t quit, they don’t give up.”