McSweeney’s WHL Community Collective: Tri-City Americans
Pendleton, Ore. – There’s nothing like a hot summer day to dream of nights on the outdoor rink.
It looked like a fairytale in Pendleton, Oregon, on January 7.
String lights crisscrossed over the small rink nestled in Roy Raley Park, lighting up the dozens of youth hockey players as they clattered across the ice under the guidance of their special visitors- the Tri-City Americans.
“It’s always fun getting out there, especially with the kids,” Ams defenceman Ismail Abougouche said. “It’s nice to see all the smiles. There were a lot of kids there, which was good to see. The older kids are passionate about hockey, and the younger kids are excited. It’s nice to see kids trying hockey and enjoying hockey.”
Abougouche, who grew up in Lac La Biche, Alta., is a veteran of the outdoor rink scene and knows that’s where love of the game takes root for many young players.
For him, it was all about taking the ice with the local ACAC hockey team, the Portage College Voyageurs.
“They were huge and super good at hockey,” Abougouche recalled. “It was an eye-opener. It was fun seeing what we could be one day. You want to be one of those guys one day. It’s crazy.”
Now, a new wave of kids is looking up to the 6-foot-3, 200-pound rearguard as an inspiration.
Abougouche, Brandon Whynott and Grady Martin were the three Tri-City players selected to join their coaching staff and make the trip just over an hour south of Kennewick for the third annual community skate in Pendleton.
Last night Brandon Whynott, Grady Martin and Ismail Abougouche, along with the Americans coaches, made their way to Pendleton to join some outdoor practices! Thank you to the 60+ minor hockey players who jumped on the ice with us! pic.twitter.com/1I5TEBGmXj
— Tri-City Americans (@TCAmericans) January 8, 2025
The Pendleton Ice Sports Hockey Club has 64 members this season, ranging from kindergarten to high school age, including several young athletes from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).
“They love it,” Pendleton Ice Sports Hockey Club president John Bieker said. “It’s such a great opportunity for them to get to meet them, skate with them and learn from them. We appreciate them coming down. They are so great with the kids.”
When the Ams return for next season’s visit, the small outdoor rink will also have a new look.
Grants from the Wildhorse Foundation and the state will go towards revamping the concrete and adding cooling equipment in hopes of getting more time on the ice during the winter months.
The Pendleton Ice Sports Hockey Club also attended a rivalry match between Tri-City and Spokane on February 22, 2025, which saw the Americans double up the Chiefs 4-2.
The Western Hockey League strives to promote and foster a welcoming environment in communities close to our 22 clubs in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Every team has the creative freedom to allow their players and staff to work with the organizations and groups that they are most passionate about. The end goal is to create and maintain long-lasting relationships and ongoing partnerships within their community.
Through the McSweeney’s WHL Community Collective, we aim to highlight these outstanding initiatives done by each club throughout the season.
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