Everett Sanipass

Everett Sanipass (born February 13, 1968) is a Canadian retired ice hockey forward. Sanipass was born in Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick. Sanipass is the first Native Canadian to be inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame.

Playing career Sanipass began his National Hockey League career with the Chicago Blackhawks in 1987 after being drafted 14th overall in the 1986 NHL entry draft. His indigenous heritage as a Mi'kmaq caused him to face racism early in his hockey career since he was prohibited from playing on off-reserve teams. Sanipass was the first native draft pick out of New Brunswick. His tally of forty-three goals and twenty-six assists in only thirty-seven games while playing in the New Brunswick Amateur Hockey Association drawing considerable attention. Sanipass spent 2 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks before being traded to the Quebec Nordiques. Sanipass became famous for his role in the 1987 World Junior Hockey Championship brawl (Punch-up in Piestany) that took place between Canada and the Soviet Union. Both teams left the bench, prompting the referees, who were unable to stop the fighting, to leave the ice surface for their own safety. Officials even tried to turn off the lights with the hopes of causing the players to be so concerned with their own safety that they would stop fighting. Both teams were ultimately kicked out of the tournament for their unsportsmanlike behaviour.

Later in his career, Sanipass would leave the NHL and play for the Halifax Citadels from 1991 to 1993. He would retire from the NSJHL East Hants Penguins in 1995.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1984–85 Verdun Jr. Canadiens QMJHL 38 8 10 18 86 12 2 5 7 66 1984–85 Verdun Jr. Canadiens MC — — — — — 2 1 0 1 2 1985–86 Verdun Jr. Canadiens QMJHL 67 28 66 94 320 5 0 2 2 16 1986–87 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 7 1 3 4 2 — — — — — 1986–87 Verdun Jr. Canadiens QMJHL 23 17 36 53 175 — — — — — 1986–87 Granby Bisons QMJHL 11 17 12 29 45 8 6 4 10 48 1987–88 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 57 8 12 20 126 2 2 0 2 2 1988–89 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 50 6 9 15 164 3 0 0 0 2 1988–89 Saginaw Hawks IHL 23 9 12 21 76 — — — — — 1989–90 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 12 2 2 4 17 — — — — — 1989–90 Indianapolis Ice IHL 33 15 13 28 121 — — — — — 1989–90 Quebec Nordiques NHL 9 3 3 6 8 — — — — — 1990–91 Quebec Nordiques NHL 29 5 5 10 41 — — — — — 1990–91 Halifax Citadels AHL 14 11 7 18 41 — — — — — 1991–92 Halifax Citadels AHL 7 3 5 8 31 — — — — — 1992–93 Halifax Citadels AHL 9 1 3 4 36 — — — — — 1993–94 Richibucto Schooners NBSHL — — — — — 7 10 9 19 25 NHL totals 164 25 34 59 358 5 2 0 2 4

International Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 1987 Canada WJC 6 3 2 5 8