Playing hockey in Okotoks, thousands of miles from family can certainly make a young man homesick.

Brett Adnum (12) has found a home on the Okotoks Junior A Oilers’ blueline. The Oiler defender is inspired by his foster brother who has Down Syndrome. photo by John Barlow

That’s the situation rookie defenceman Brett Adnum finds himself in suiting up for the Okotoks Junior A Oilers.

Adnum grew up in Steinbach, MB, and bounced around Western Canada playing hockey before signing on with the Okotoks Junior A Oilers.

In Steinbach, Adnum left behind an extended family that includes twin brothers, Mark and Matt; a sister Christine; mom Dianne; dad Edward; and foster brother, Mark Mosters.

Adnum is well cared for by his billet family in Okotoks, but still he frequently picks up the phone and dials home to Steinbach.

“It would be nice to see them once and a while,” said Adnum of his family.

His foster brother Mark has Down Syndrome and was adopted by the Adnums at roughly age five. Mark is a source of inspiration for Adnum who patrols the blueline for the Oilers.

“Just his outlook on life and he’s always happy with the little things he’s got,” said Adnum of his foster brother.

Aside from lifting Adnum out of the dumps during the odd off day, Mark is quite a competitor in his own right; a trait that sometimes rubs off on Adnum.

When Adnum returns home for visits the pair will often hit the hardcourt to play basketball.

“He can’t take it if I beat him,” said Adnum. “You can never be mad or sad or anything when you see him or hang out with him. He’s just full of joy no matter what.”

Mark, 31, competes in the Special Olympics in two events, snowshoeing and 400-metre sprint. He also works during the day for a company called Kindale Industries making picnic tables.

“It gives you a different outlook on things when you have someone like that in your life,” said Adnum.

Adnum played his entire minor hockey career in Steinbach before being drafted by the Chilliwack Bruins of the Western Hockey League. Competition was tight for roster spots with the Bruins and soon Adnum found himself squeezed out due to a knee injury. He tried playing in the Manitoba Junior A Hockey League with the Opaskwayak Cree Nation Blizzard based out of The Pas. However, that also wasn’t a good fit.

Soon he started looking at the British Columbia Junior Hockey League and the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League before he signed in Okotoks with the Oilers, where he seems to have finally found a home.

In 18 games Adnum has eight assists, second among Oiler defencemen. An early season coaching change for the Oilers has resulted in increased ice time for the Manitoba product. Five of Adnum’s eight assists have come since Oct. 5; the Oilers’ first game after Dan MacDonald was replaced as head coach.

“Other than that I’ve got in a couple of fights and I’m happy with what I’m doing,” said Adnum.

As far as where he’ll end up after hockey Adnum is looking at a career in the RCMP, but he’ll see what offers come his way.

Until then, he will focus on hockey in Okotoks and look forward to his phone calls home and another opportunity to hit the floor for some hoops with his brother.

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