Sam on Sports: Dustin Peltier

By Sam Laskaris

LITTLE CURRENT – Dustin Peltier’s hockey playing days ended more than a decade ago, but the 31-year-old member of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory is still aspiring to make it to the sport’s highest levels.

Peltier is currently working remotely as a funding specialist for the Kina Gbezhgomi Child and Family Services, based out of his First Nation.

Peltier, who is living in the Manitoulin Island town of Little Current, is moonlighting at night; however, travelling to various hockey arenas throughout Ontario.

That’s because Peltier aspires to eventually become a general manager of a high-level hockey team.

And yes, like most young players, Peltier would love to one day be calling the shots for a National Hockey League squad.

He’s paying his dues now, working as a scout for the Moncton Wildcats, members of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL).

Peltier is one of two Ontario-based scouts for the Wildcats.

On any given night of the week, Peltier can be found scouting talent in three Junior A circuits in the province, the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League, Ontario Junior Hockey League, and eastern Ontario’s Central Canada Hockey League.

Or he might be in the southern parts of the province, checking out Junior B players that toil in the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League or perhaps evaluating those in minor hockey’s AAA ranks.

Regardless of where he is, Peltier has the same goal in mind. He’s hoping his efforts and work ethic land him some sort of managerial gig with a Major Junior franchise.

The QMJHL is one of three Major Junior circuits in the country that fall under the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) umbrella. The Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and the Western Hockey League are the other two.

Peltier believes perhaps the best way to get his foot inside a door is to start off working as an assistant general manager (GM) for a CHL squad; however, such positions are rarely posted. So, Peltier continues to plug along, networking along the way and keeping his dream alive.

Some plum assignments have come Peltier’s way recently. For example, last May, he served as the GM of the Ontario boys’ squad that competed at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) in Membertou, N.S.

Team Ontario ended up winning the gold medal at that event.

Peltier will be returning as the club’s GM for this year NAHC, which will be staged in Winnipeg in May.

Also, earlier this month, Peltier returned from Prince Edward Island where he had served as the video coach for the Ontario boys’ club that captured the gold medal at the Canada Winter Games.

Thus, if his Ontario team can defend its title at the NAHC in Winnipeg, that would mean Peltier would win three gold medals at prestigious events in a 12-month period.

Peltier also previously served three seasons as a regional scout with the OHL’s Barrie Colts. He also worked four years with the NHL’s Ottawa Senators in its business development office. He was an account manager who dealt with seasons ticket holders, box owners, and corporate clients.

For now though, Peltier continues to drive countless kilometres for his scouting gig with the Wildcats. He’s hoping his drive eventually pays off with the hockey job he really wants.

About the Author

Sam Laskaris is a veteran Toronto-based writer. His articles have appeared in more than 200 North American publications. His new column on Anishinabek athletes and sports events, titled Sam on Sports, will be published in Anishinabek News.