Randy Feere/ Medicine Hat Tigers

Portland Winterhawks: Introducing Kishaun Gervais

Introducing Kishaun Gervais:

Many rookies in the WHL are 16- or 17-years old. However, Kishaun Gervais is in his first season with the Portland Winterhawks and playing his 18-year-old year. He couldn’t be happier. 

His path to playing his first WHL regular season game with Portland on Tuesday was a little unconventional.

“I got drafted in 2016 and came to my first camp,” Gervais said. “Thought I had a pretty good showing, and they told me to go back to midget. I didn’t have the best year there and ended up getting sick at the next (Portland) camp. I couldn’t perform to the best of my abilities, ended up getting sent home. It was pretty heartbreaking. Thought I could have maybe stayed for a few extra practices.” 

At that point, he thought his time with the Winterhawks was over. 

Kishaun explained, “I switched teams (in the SMHL) to Prince Albert from Yorkton. I got a call after preseason in Prince Albert that I was taken off the Winterhawks list. That was pretty upsetting because I felt like I had a lot more to offer, especially coming into the start of the season.” 

Kishaun Gervais (photo-Randy Feere/ Medicine Hat Tigers)

Rather than feeling down, he ended up having a breakout season with the Prince Albert Mintos in 2017-2018. The Yorkton, Saskatchewan, native registered 18 goals and 25 assists for 43 points in 37 games. “We ended up going to the finals with my team. I played with some good players. We had about 15 guys from that team go play junior afterwards. I played a few games with (Gabe) Klassen (Portland’s 2018 first-round draft pick) and became good friends.”

After winning an award as the top forward, the options opened up for the five-foot-seven winger. 

Gervais explained, “I was thinking of going the junior route, could have gone to Swift (Current) or Regina. They wanted me to go to their camps.” 

His heart was set on the Winterhawks though. “I ended up getting asked if I would go back to Portland. Automatically, I said yes, because not only is it a great organization, but I felt that I had a lot more to prove. I was supposed to go to Regina and backed out at the last second because, if I was going to go anywhere, I wanted to put a stamp and impression in Portland. I wanted them to know it was a mistake dropping me and wanted to prove them wrong.” 

Gervais was back in Portland and things were looking up. Kishaun was signed by the Winterhawks on September 18th, 2018. 

His excitement was short lived, though, as not long after he was “sent back down again, back to the Yorkton Terriers. We had a good year.” 

Again, rather than seeing any negative, Kishaun only mentioned the positive aspects. “Last year, I felt like I grew as a person and as a player, got stronger, put on some weight. I ended up having the mindset this summer to also get stronger. I didn’t want to go back to Yorkton. As harsh as that sounds, I had my heart set on coming to Portland and playing in the WHL.” 

Making the team

Sure enough, Gervais accomplished his goal. He made the Portland Winterhawks final roster. 

Kishaun Gervais (Photo: Chris Mast)

“It means a lot to me,” Kishaun said with a huge smile. “Growing up, I had a lot of support but didn’t play AA hockey my whole life. I played house hockey up until my second year bantam, my draft year, and grew up on a reservation in Saskatchewan, kind of poor. I just persevered and getting all that support from my family.

“With hard work, I made the WHL this year. It just means a lot to my family and me. My dad played for Portland for a few games, my brother played for Brandon for a few games, but they didn’t get to say they played a full year. I think I’m the first one from my family and hometown to do that — a great feeling.” 

On Tuesday evening, he appeared in his first WHL game. “It was amazing. The speed and energy in the game was awesome. I love how fast-paced and intense it is, for sure,” Kishaun commented.

Portland fans who did not make the trip to Everett or Tri-City to watch the preseason may not be familiar with what Gervais brings to the team on the ice. 

“I bring a lot of speed, energy, and like to give the team a spark anyway I can,” Gervais expressed. “Whether it is with a big hit, goal, or a fight, whatever I have to do I will.” 

Kishaun Gervais (Photo: Chris Mast)

What he hopes for is to create energy for his teammates. 

“I will do whatever as long as it gets our team fired up. There is no better feeling when you do something good, and then they congratulate you. They then get a little bit of energy, and the next guy gets some energy. I would definitely say I’m an energy guy both on the ice and in the dressing room. I like to fire guys up.” 

When Kishaun plays his first game in the Rose City, “you can expect me to buzz around and get the crowd going on all my shifts.” 

Overcoming adversity away from the rink 

Gervais shared, “My real father — he is from Miami — I haven’t met him since birth. When I was younger, I lived with my mom.” 

His story took a sad, difficult turn in 2005.  

“April 5, 2005, my grandpa, my grandma, my aunt, and my older brother got into a car accident which my grandma passed away in. After that, my grandpa needed somebody to be there. I was about four, and my mom gave me up, not for adoption, but over to my grandpa so I could be there for him, and so I could be raised by him.”

Being raised by a wonderful man was one of the best things for Kishaun.

Kishaun Gervais (Photo: Chris Mast)

“He knows a lot about hockey, probably the strongest man I’ve ever met in my life. He broke his back, went into a coma, woke up, went through rehab, but is in the rink all the time. (My grandpa) raised about five or six hockey players. It is going on seven with my little cousin who is an unbelievable hockey player for her age. He has just taught me everything.” 

One of the most special moments for Kishaun was his grandpa making the drive to Kennewick, Washington, to watch his grandson play in the preseason. 

Gervais explained, “He drove 18 hours to come to Tri-City and watched every game. He always nitpicks something I could have done better. I always learn from him, and he is my biggest role model.” 

On Wednesday, Kishaun and the Winterhawks played their only game in Saskatchewan during the regular season. “My whole family ended up coming to Swift Current,” Gervais said. “It was pretty awesome seeing them there, definitely emotional yet exciting at the same time. I was glad they could come out and watch. They’re extremely supportive.” 

After the 8-2 Winterhawks win, Kishaun “did get to talk to my grandpa. He just told me to keep working hard and to never stop working everyday.”  

First Nations

For his first 13 years, Kishaun lived on a reservation before he “moved out and left the reserve. I wanted to become a professional hockey player like anyone does. I moved to Yorkton when I was 13 and played there, moved away from home, and lived there during the summer. I’m not really home as much as I want to be. I like going back whenever I can to visit all my friends, family, and everyone back home.” 

Kishaun Gervais (photo-Randy Feere/ Medicine Hat Tigers)

His heritage and what he is doing now, playing in the WHL, is super important to Gervais. “I’m getting texts every day saying how people are rooting for (me), watching (me). I just want to be a role model for my community.” 

One way he is being a role model — “My brother and I are putting on a hockey camp next summer on my reservation.” 

Despite billeting in Portland now, he still “keeps in touch with a lot of people back home. I don’t want to ever forget where I came from. As much as I can, I want to give back, want them to know that even though you are living on the reserve, as long as you have hard work and put your mind to something, you can achieve your goals and dreams.” 

Away from the rink

Not only is Gervais good at hockey, he is also a star in the sport of lacrosse. 

Kishaun said, “I play field lacrosse and am a midfielder. That is my second sport. I won a lot of provincial championships with some buddies back home. I like to go up and down the field. I’ve been playing for eight years. I was actually, at one point, going the college route and getting a dual scholarship, but the WHL came up, and now I’m focused. If hockey doesn’t work out, it is a backup plan.” 

Most teenagers enjoy spending their free time with their friends. Gervais is no different. “I like to hang out with teammates, play NHL 20 (video game), golf, and hang out with my brother while working out, or do whatever we can.” 

Eric Van Impe and Kishaun Gervais tangle (photo-Ryan McCracken, Medicine Hat News)

When he isn’t doing any of those hobbies, he likes to “get to the rink, workout, work my ass off, and go home. I then just chill out and keep to myself. I like my alone time. However, still enjoy being with my buddies and enjoying junior hockey while it lasts.” 

While he enjoys golfing, he doesn’t feel his future is on the course. “I’m so inconsistent. Joel (Hofer) and Gabe (Klassen) are the guys to beat on the team. I just go out to have fun. I’m not a professional, nor would I be on the tour. If we are talking an extra sport, for me it is no doubt lacrosse.” 

If Gervais is asked to pick a music playlist, be prepared for a mixture of rap and country. 

“I’m kind of weird. I grew up on a farm, but I also like a lot of rap,” Kishaun commented. “We went to a Post Malone concert, and that was insane. If I’m not feeling that, I will listen to (country) like Jake Owen, Luke Combs, or Morgan Wallen. Country or rap, but if I’m really not feeling those, I listen to the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, which I’m a big fan of.” 

Earlier this season, the WHL and Winterhawks posted a GIF of Gervais doing a backflip. Kishaun has “been doing that since I was a younger kid. I kinda learned back home while playing outside. I ended up doing back handsprings which turned into flips. Wherever I go, if there is a little get-together, I will do a backflip and everyone will go nuts. For my media day, I did that for my GIF. It ended up going on the Western Hockey League’s page which was pretty funny.” 

When asked if he would try a backflip on skates, he quickly responded, “No, I would never. I’m way too scared to attempt.” 

What’s Next?

With the Winterhawks completing their Central Division swing, the season is in full flight for Portland and Gervais. As excited as he is to be on the roster, he knows this is just the beginning. 

“For myself, I want to learn from the staff we have here. Don Hay — he’s the winningest coach in the Western Hockey League. Mike Johnston — he coached the Pittsburgh Penguins when I was a childhood fan of them. Looking up to them and Gus (Kyle Gustafson), Richy (Rich Campbell), I just want to learn from these guys and get stronger and quicker. I want to develop my hockey sense and become a better all-around player.”

While his path is unconventional, Kishaun is happy he is in the league and with the Portland Winterhawks organization. He mentioned how he couldn’t have done it alone. “I just want to thank my dad, my brother, my grandpa, and the rest of my family for everything they have done for me to get me where I am today. It wouldn’t be possible without them. My Grandpa George and my Grandpa Bill.”