“Since I was a kid I always wanted to be the first Samoan drafted. It was a dream come true for sure” – Alofa Tunoa Ta’amu.
At first glance, Alofa Tunoa Ta’amu looks like your standard 18-year-old high schooler just going about life and enjoying his late teen years.
However, the youngster has created history, becoming the first ever player of Samoan heritage to be drafted into the North American National Hockey League (NHL) regarded as the top professional ice hockey league in the world.
Playing as a defenceman for the Edmonton Oil Kings in Canada, Ta’amu was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets in the seventh round (the 199th overall pick) during the 2026 NHL Draft late in June.
It’s a milestone that ‘Noa’, as he is widely known, says was a dream come true for himself and his family.
“Since I was a kid I always wanted to be the first Samoan drafted. It was a dream come true for sure,” he says.
“I kinda just have worked towards that my whole life, and it always drove me to do better.”
Raised in his Samoan and Canadian roots, Noa credits his parents and family for being by his side through his journey.
His love for hockey was something he discovered through his maternal grandfather who, like many Canadians, is mad about the sport.
Ed Ta’amu, Noa’s father, is a former NFL offensive lineman who was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in 2002 but whose career ended soon after due to injury. He went on to recover and play Arena football.
Although the football field may be a tad different from the ice hockey rink, Noa says his father never failed to show support throughout his career.
“He (Ed) obviously did not know anything about hockey growing up. He grew up in Hawaii and there’s no ice rinks there. He was a pro and has done it, so he knows what it takes and it inspires me to go higher in my profession,” Noa says.
“He probably watches the most hockey out of all of us to be fair. It’s definitely not hard to spot him in a hockey rink, usually everyone is in jackets and sweatpants keeping warm, and you see my dad in his shirt, shorts and flip flops.”
The youngsters’ calm demeanor and maturity has caught the eye of many. And being able to deal with the world of professional sport at only 18 years old, Noa is hoping he can use his story to inspire other Pacific and Samoan athletes.
As the first Samoan to find his way to the NHL, he hopes he can entice more Samoans and islanders to fall in love with hockey.
“We’re good in our big sports like rugby, and league so passing over to hockey should be no trouble,” he says.
“Anyone and everyone can play hockey, and I know my community can do too. Just believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to be you.”
