Golden Knights' Zach Whitecloud ready to take on Jets in home province

Thousands of kilometres from the Las Vegas desert landscape, members from Sioux Valley Dakota Nation in southwestern Manitoba donned Vegas Golden Knights jerseys as they watched the team battle the Winnipeg Jets during the series-opener Tuesday evening.

The game was projected onto two large screens set up in the nation's community hall. Hockey fans across the province watched in anticipation as the underdog Jets scored a 5-1 road win over the Golden Knights, but in Sioux Valley all eyes were on Las Vegas' Zach Whitecloud.

The 26-year-old defenceman is from the Dakota community just west of Brandon, where he grew up. Sioux Valley leadership believe Whitecloud is the first person from the community to play in the National Hockey League.

"Being able to be one of a few First Nations players in the NHL is something I take a great amount of pride in, especially the path that I've taken to get here," Whitecloud said Wednesday after the team's practice.

"I wouldn't have gotten here without the support from my home community."

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A quick search of the defenceman's name on social media brings up posts from community members sharing their excitement and pride in seeing Whitecloud make it to a place many kids who grew up playing hockey wish for.

"There's a lot of hype on social media. A lot of support for Zach," said Sioux Valley Chief Jennifer Bone. "He is a positive role model for our community members and for the younger generation. They just look up to him."

The praise and well wishes also come from First Nations across the country — something that is not lost on Whitecloud, who spends time visiting his community and volunteering at hockey camps during the