Since he was five years old, Cody Savey remembers loving the game of ice hockey. “I kept nagging my parents to play, since I was five and it took a couple of years to convince them to let me play,” he told Ha-Shilth-Sa.
According to his proud mother, Eva James, Cody indeed begged them. “We thought it was just a phase, and we thought, ‘naw, he doesn't want to play’,” she remembered.
But they eventually gave in and went ahead and bought him his first packaged kit of hockey gear. “It was cheap back then,” she recalled, less than $100.
That was 2008, when Cody was seven years old. Cody, at first, didn’t know how to stop on his skates, but he kept trying. “He was never one to give up,” said James.
With hard work and dedication, Cody’s skills improved over the years. He played house hockey with the Gold River Hawks for five seasons before asking his parents if he could try out for hockey in Campbell River.
Cody went on to play with the Campbell River Tyees for two years, emerging as one of the team’s top goal scorers. He went on to serve as captain, leading his team to the Island championship and the Provincial championship.
Cody has made both the U15 and U16 teams and has tried out for Aboriginal Team BC, making it to the final game. According to his mother, Cody was told to come back in 2017 when he would be guaranteed a spot on the team.
During the summer of 2016, Cody attended tryouts and was noticed by scouts. Now age 15, Cody Savey stands 6’1”, weighing in at 210 lb. and is in top physical condition.
“He received nine invitations to rookie camp, and the Seattle Thunderbirds were quick to grab him,” said Eva.
She went on to say that her son was put on the 50-man player protected list. According to her, this means he can only attend their camp and will be able to play with them when he is of age.
Cody is now playing with the West Van Warriors and attending school at Sentinel Secondary school in Vancouver. He is taking part in the CSSHL (Canadian Sport School Hockey League) where he continues to improve his playing skills in a challenging teaching program. He says the CSSHL is the highest level to play hockey in for his age.
On their way to Calgary, Alta for a showcase tournament, Savey said his team’s record so far is 5–0 and he is tied for first place in his team’s points standing.
He will be watched by the Seattle Thunderbirds this season. Savey is hoping to play on their team when he’s old enough.
“He had great coaches and teammates who helped him start off his journey and he has moved onward and would love to continue to move upward in the ranks,” said Eva. She is proud of how disciplined her son is, saying that he must train daily and watch what he eats.
“Fitness, health and nutrition takes a lot of willpower from a 15-year-old boy,” she noted.
Besides the physical training, Cody has also learned some life lessons from hockey.
“He has learned how to be a team player; he has celebrated wins and also has learned how to accept defeat graciously,” said Eva.
Cody Savey was born in Campbell River, BC, in 2001. He is from Mowachaht/Muchalaht First Nation and his parents are Eva James and Wesley Savey. His grandparents are Margarita James, late Arnold James, late Veronica Dick (nee Titian), late Thomas Dick, Maximus Savey and Cecelia Savey (nee Mark).
