Oliver Paipoonge, ON - The Kam River Fighting Walleye congratulate former forward Keaton
Mercredi on his commitment to Maryville University and their ACHA Division 1 hockey
program. Mercredi has received a $1,000 scholarship from the Warrior Supplies/Fighting
Walleye Indigenous Post-Secondary Education Fund.
“Being the first to receive the Warrior scholarship is an honour, and the Walleye do a
great job representing indigenous players and culture all around Thunder Bay & Oliver
Paipoonge,” said Mercredi. “I would like to thank Kevin McCallum and the whole Walleye
organization for making me a better person and player, on and off the ice, to further my
education and hockey career.”
The 21-year-old Mercredi played parts of two seasons for Kam River, posting 21 points
in 29 games in the Orange and Black.
“The Kam River Fighting Walleye are extremely proud to present their first Indigenous
Scholarship,” said team president Derek Geddes. “The Walleye/Warrior Supply Scholarship was
founded and funded through the Orange Wave game last March. Our partner in this initiative
Jason Thompson, owner of Warrior supply, was the visionary of this and we are happy to be able
to provide the platform,” Geddes said.
The Fighting Walleye hosted the inaugural Orange Wave game on March 12th, which
celebrated Indigenous culture and traditions. The team wore special one-time jerseys for that
game, sponsored by Warrior Supply, and the jerseys were auctioned off to raise money for the
scholarship fund. More than $10,000 was raised through the support and generosity of the
Fighting Walleye’s fans, sponsors and community partners.
“On behalf of the entire Warrior team, we are honoured to be making our first ever
Walleye Warrior Scholarship presentation to Keaton Mercredi,” said Thompson. “We are
absolutely thrilled to be supporting his career as well as his academic pursuits. Continue to be a
positive role model for all future Warriors!”