SASKATOON – It’s a holiday tradition across the country: hockey fans gathering in front of the television to cheer on Team Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship. But for the Chartier family this year is special. Saskatoon’s Rourke Chartier is one of the Canadian players vying for gold at this year’s tournament in Helsinki, Finland.
He’s also a son, a brother and a source of pride to his biggest fans.
“I’m nervous for him but it’s exciting,” said his mother, Yvette Chartier. “He’s always watched the tournament and it’s been a big part of the holidays for all of us, so for him to be part of it is pretty special.”
Chartier, a 19-year-old forward in his fourth season with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, has worn the maple leaf before, at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in 2013.
Prior to that he played for Canada Western at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2012 but the World Junior tournament is a major step up from those two events.
“Everyone is super excited for him, and for us,” Rourke’s 17-year-old sister Leaden said.
“A lot of people saying congratulations and telling us to pass it on,” 15-year-old sister Madigan added.
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In Canada’s first game of the tournament, a 4-2 loss to the United States, Chartier recorded an assist on the opening goal of the contest on Boxing Day.
“He’s very determined. He’s always been like that,” Yvette said.
“It’s kind of annoying sometimes for his siblings,” joked older sister Mackenzie, 21. “But I think that came from our parents as role models and he had really good coaches.”
Now all that hard work and determination is paying off on one of the world’s biggest stages. For younger sisters Leadan and Madigan, whose sport of choice is track and field, Rourke’s achievements help to push them.
“It definitely motivates me because I always want to get to a higher level, too,” Leadan said.
If Chartier has his way, that hard work will also lead to a gold medal in about 10 days’ time.
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