Cost, distance keeping Gino Odjick’s nephew from playing high-level hockey, family says
Marcus Kistabish Odjick, the nephew of the late NHL enforcer Gino Odjick, is facing challenges in his hockey journey due to financial and transportation barriers. Despite his talent and potential, Marcus is currently playing below his ability level with the Loups des Collines in the BB under-13 age division. He is also an affiliated player with Les Olympiques de l’Outaouais in the AA under-13 division.
The Odjick family believes that Marcus is capable of playing at a higher level, but he was unable to attend the AA team’s camp due to the mentioned obstacles. Living near Maniwaki, Quebec, which is located about 130 kilometers north of Gatineau, Marcus faces the difficulty of not having an AA hockey team in his age group nearby.
His grandmother, Dina Odjick, expressed her frustration, stating that financial constraints and travel hurdles prevented Marcus from participating in the AA camp. She emphasized the challenges faced by young hockey players from towns on the outskirts of the Outaouais region and the added difficulty of traveling for opportunities in the sport.
Despite efforts to seek accommodation for Marcus to join the AA team, the president of Ligue de Hockey Régionale de l’Outaouais, Éric Vézina, indicated that Marcus would not be allowed to advance to the higher level without meeting the initial camp requirements. While Hockey Quebec acknowledged the family’s circumstances, stating that player development is a priority, the league’s policy on camp participation remained a determining factor.
President of Hockey Outaouais, Pierre Montreuil, highlighted the importance of following league rules and emphasized the need for players to meet camp requirements to be eligible for higher-level play. While recognizing Marcus’ talent and performance in the BB division, Montreuil suggested that he could have future opportunities to play at the AA level.
Despite understanding the rules, Dina Odjick expressed her disappointment with the decision, emphasizing the limited options for advancement for players in remote areas like Maniwaki. She remains hopeful that Marcus will have opportunities to showcase his skills at his true ability level in the future.
The case of Marcus Odjick sheds light on the challenges faced by young athletes in accessing opportunities for development and advancement in competitive sports. It underscores the importance of addressing barriers such as financial constraints and geographic limitations to ensure equal opportunities for all aspiring athletes.
