Rising Cree hockey star heads to NHL prospect tournament and camp
CBC
A hockey hopeful from the Cree community of Mistissini in northern Quebec has been invited to the NHL Prospect Tournament and, for a second time, to a development camp with the Detroit Red Wings.
Israel Mianscum, 20, is currently playing in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Sherbrooke Phoenix. Last year, he had a 61-point season in 65 games, with 30 goals and 31 assists. In July, he attended his first development camp with the Red Wings organization.
"It was very fun, I had a good experience. I saw how others played and that pushed me to play harder. I saw where I needed to be to make it [in the NHL]," said Mianscum in Cree.
"There were people that encouraged and helped me, like the coaches and scouts telling me what I need to work on."
Now Mianscum has been invited back for the NHL Prospect Tournament, which the Detroit Red Wings team is hosting from Sept. 14 to 17 in Traverse City, Mich.
"Six teams of prospects play against each other, about two or three games. That is where you can showcase how you can play," Mianscum said.
The left-winger has also been invited to join the team's training camp from Sept. 21 to 25.
"Anything can happen. I can be traded," he said, adding he's very motivated.
"I skate, train, and watch my diet like last summer. Every summer, I become more motivated. Every year gets more important as you get older. I am working hard," he said.
In July of 2022, he was also invited to a development camp with the Montreal Canadiens.
Stéphane Julien, former head coach and general manager with the Sherbrooke Phoenix, says Mianscum has everything he needs to realize his hockey dreams.
"He's one of the players I've seen progress the most in my coaching career in Sherbrooke. He's a very smart player. He is very strong on his skates. He can hit very hard. He has a pro-shot. He's got everything to be successful," said Julien.
Julien won head coach of the year and general manager of the year in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League last season and is now assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings farm team, the Grand Rapids Griffins.
He said Mianscum sets a good example both on and off the ice.