Winston Day Chief (born November 23, 1987) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is currently an unrestricted free agent who most recently played with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL.
Playing career A member of the Blackfoot Kainai Nation,Indianz.Com > Native Sun News: Rapid City hockey team bridges communities Day Chief was raised on the Blood Indian Reserve No. 148 in Alberta, Canada.Winston Day Chief on the cusp of a breakout year for the Rapid City Rush He attended the University of Alaska Anchorage before enrolling with the University of LethbridgeDay Chief sparking Horns men's hockey | UNews where he played three seasons of CIS hockey with the Lethbridge Pronghorns,CIS:Bears top Canada West men's hockey coaches’ pre-season poll scoring 23 goals and 36 assists for 58 points, while earning 88 penalty minutes, in 68 games played. In his final year he was recognized for his outstanding play when he was named to the Canada West All-Stars Roster as competition for the Canada men's national junior ice hockey team.CIS:Dinos, Horns to take on Canada's WJC entry
On March 27, 2012, Winston Day Chief was signed as an amateur by the Rapid City Rush then of the Central Hockey League for their 2012 playoff run.Scoreboard - March 27, 2012 - Page 5 - Aberdeen American News He was re-signed by the Rush for the 2012–13 season, but in his third game he broke his shoulder when he slid hard into the boards. Returning to duty after missing two months of play, Day Chief played out the season, impressing Rapid City's head coach Joe Ferras who described his play as "fearless" saying "He plays hard. He finishes his checks. He's strong on the pucks and he's got great hands for a big man". On August 29, 2013, the Rapid City Rush announced that Day Chief had been retained to play the 2013–14 CHL season.Justin Sawyer & Winston Day Chief Return the Black Hills - The FOX - KFXS: Rapid City Rush
After 5 seasons within the Rush organization, Day Chief opted to turn to Europe, signing a one-year contract with MAC Budapest of the MOL Liga on August 8, 2016. At the conclusion of the 2016-17 campaign with Budapest, Day Chief opted to return to the ECHL, agreeing to a contract with the Cincinnati Cyclones on September 6, 2017.
Winston Day Chief signed a contract with the Wheeling Nailers on October 10, 2018.Twitter.com: "Now that the secret is “out”, the Nailers have added veteran F Winston Day Chief as well as Heavyweight Brad Drobot."
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