Emmitt Finnie can still count on some familiar former teammates and opponents to play an important role in his ongoing hockey journey with the Detroit Red Wings.
Long before making his NHL debut on Oct. 9, Finnie was busy honing his skills in what could be coined as Hockey Night in Lethbridge. Evenings spent when he and his older brother, Marshall, and younger sister, Payton, alongside their father, Cheyno, would face off in some fairly epic hockey games in their Alberta family home.
“It would be lots of floor hockey,” recalled Emmitt, a seventh round selection of Detroit in the 2023 NHL Draft. “My brother and I were always on the same team, and we would play against my sister and our dad. Those times were always a lot of fun and something I will always remember.”
Payton, the youngest of the siblings, never had to worry about her brothers having her back.
She recalled a time when Emmitt was with her, stride-for-stride, literally, during a high school cross-country run.
“My brothers always included me in whatever sport that they were playing,” said Payton, now 17. “Emmitt, especially never took it easy on me, whether he was blocking my shot in basketball or trash-talking me in every sport we played. However, he was always my biggest supporter. Trying to help me get better at whatever sport we were playing.
“When I was competing in cross-country in middle school, he ran the route alongside me, encouraging me and telling me to not let someone pass me. He pushed me to be my best and to win the race.”
Marshall, 21, did the same for Emmitt when the two played minor hockey together.
“My favourite memories would be just getting to play with him growing up – we are only a year apart in age. We would play on the same hockey team, so those were some of my favourite memories growing up.”
Support between the siblings has not wavered despite the odd childhood dustups.
“I remember there was always a tussle or two,” laughed Emmitt. “I feel that competitiveness back from those days has helped and it’s carried on to these days.”
All three have excelled in their respective hockey pursuits – Marshall, in the U.S. collegiate ranks with Niagara University, and Payton playing in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League as a member of the Delta Hockey Academy and recently committing to Minnesota State University.
“Emmitt is always working with me to be a better hockey player, whether it’s helping me during power skating or rollerblading with me,” said Payton, a forward, who in four-plus seasons with Delta has 48 goals and 106 points in 131 games. “It’s always competitive but fun.”
Marshall, who played three seasons for the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League and was an assistant captain in for two seasons, can relate to his younger brother’s road to playing at an elite level.
Also a forward, Marshall came to Oil Kings camp in 2022 as an undrafted free agent but made the team through a combination of hard work, skill and selfless play.
Emmitt relied on a similar game plan in his quest to make the Red Wings roster.
“As a player, I would say his speed and two-way game would definitely be his strengths as he always is using his speed to create turnovers on the forecheck and drive the net,” said Marshall. “He is also a very reliable player and always is in a good defensive position.
“As a person, I would say his biggest strengths would be his work ethic and determination as he is the hardest worker off the ice that I know and has always had the determination to make it to this level since we were little.”
Emmitt, who scored his first NHL goal on Oct. 19 as part of a three-point night in a 4-2 Red Wings win over the Edmonton Oilers where he was named first star of the game, isn’t taking his early NHL success for granted.
If anything, it has motivated him to push himself more than ever.
“I was obviously a little nervous going into that first game,” recalled Emmitt, who lined up against the Montreal Canadiens during his league debut. “It didn’t really hit me until the national anthem – that was a cool moment for me. You look around and see some players who you watched growing up, so it was an awesome moment.”
As was his first NHL goal.
“I kind of blacked out a bit during the celly, but it was a super special moment,” said Emmitt, who recorded 37 goals and 84 points in 55 games in his final year with the Kamloops Blazers. “You just want to keep doing what you can to help the team – that is the bottom line.”
He isn’t lacking in support, at home or in the locker room.
“Everyone has been amazing,” said Emmitt. “We are a very close group, and the leaders are great. The older guys have been great and welcomed me right away. When you’re coming into the league and you have that kind of support, it gives you even more confidence.
“My family is also unbelievably supportive, and I would not be here without any of them. Lots of thanks to them. Every day, their support gives me more and more confidence. They encourage me every single day.”
As does former NHL forward Kris Versteeg.
“Kris, he was my favourite player growing up and we are from the same city,” noted Emmitt. “I know him quite well from training at the same gym as him. He has given lots of great advice, mainly focusing on working hard and learning something every day. He has been great and moving forward, I’ll take his advice forever. He’s helping me a lot. He’s always there for me.”
Just like Emmitt’s siblings continue to do.
When their schedules align, typically in the summer, sports remain a big part of their lives.
Hardcourt, gridiron, fairways or ice – it’s always game on.
“We golf a lot together in the summer,” said Emmitt. “Growing up, we played a lot of basketball and football, so it was great to have them along with me. We were all into sports, so it made for a lot of fun competition. We just loved playing any kind of sport.”
Watching one another compete in their respective arenas is a source of pride for all three.
“I’m so proud of Payton and Marshall, not only for their hockey success, but also who they are as people,” said Emmitt.”
The feeling is no doubt mutual.
“I’m so proud of Emmitt, and it’s surreal to see him playing alongside so many great players,” shared Payton. “It reinforces to me that hard work and perseverance can pay off.”
Added Marshall, “I just feel so proud of him, seeing him playing and having success in the NHL. It’s just a culmination of all the work and commitment that he has put in since we were kids – it’s unbelievable to see his dream come true.”
Feature photo courtesy of Getty Images
