麻豆社区

When it comes to Whitehorse hockey tournaments, this is the big one.

Now in it's 36th year, the annual Yukon Native Hockey Tournament remains "the hockey event of the year鈥� for Whitehorse and First Nations communities, organizers said yesterday.

The tournament began as a grassroots program intended to allow aboriginal communities a chance to play hockey in front of a large crowd 鈥� for many players the first time skating on artificial ice, said tournament coordinator Karee Vallevand.

Today, it welcomes a maximum of 42 teams to compete in five different divisions, and doubles as a "huge revenue boost鈥� for Whitehorse.

First Nations teams from across the North and northern B.C. travel to Whitehorse each spring to compete against friends and family they may not otherwise see, said Vallevand.

"This is an established and consistent tournament,鈥� said Jeanie Dendys, president of the Yukon Indian Hockey Association's board of directors. "We've become a Yukon institution, and we're not going anywhere.鈥�

The experience of playing in front of a packed arena is an "incredibly important experience for our young hockey players coming up,鈥� Dendys said. "It's a complete honour to continue this tournament. It's great to be a part of something like this, and it's a good mentorship experience for all.鈥�

Dendys said the tournament has become so popular, it has seen the maximum amount of teams register the past three years. A total of 10 teams were turned away this year. She said the board may look to extend the tournament by one day next year to include the extra teams.

An extra day would only mean good things for a tournament that already provides much-needed stimulus to Whitehorse during shoulder season.

"This is a big deal,鈥� said Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce president Rick Karp.

"This is a really big deal. I think at this time of the year 鈥� next to Rendezvous 鈥� this is it. The stimulation that it gives at this time of year is absolutely outstanding.鈥�

Hotels, restaurants and retail stores all see economic spin-off from the three-day tournament that sees more than 800 hockey players converge on the city.

Northerm Windows and Doors general manager Rick Gingell suggested the tournament injects nearly $1 million into the Yukon capital.

Karp said the amount of First Nations players coming in from the communities means there are lineups at everything from coffee shops to hair salons as people do their best to experience Whitehorse.

"I'm sure all the salons were extremely busy,鈥� Karp told the Star. "The restaurants and hotels were busy too, but that's the obvious. Then there's the gift shops, grocery stores, and sporting goods stores. It's a fantastic stimulation for the business community in Whitehorse and we really appreciate them coming to town.鈥�

The word-of-mouth marketing Whitehorse receives from hockey players who experience the city's attractions and then return home to talk about it is invaluable, added Karp.

"There's so much benefit in that aspect from the tournament,鈥� he said. "And then having the tournament in town is great for us 鈥� we get to see some good hockey games. So it's a win-win-win everywhere situation.鈥�

Scouts were also in Whitehorse to evaluate players for the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, scheduled to occur in Kahnawake, Que. in late April.

A watchful eye was on Yukon players with the potential to make Tri Team North, a team based on the collective territories.

Tournament award winners

The following awards were handed out at the conclusion of the Yukon Native Hockey Tournament.

A division

MVP 鈥� Max Kotokak (EGT Nanooks); Top scorer 鈥� Corey Giroux (Nannock Warriors); Best defenceman 鈥� DJ McDougall (Deer River Slashers); Best goalie 鈥� Ty Gullickson (Deer River Slashers).

B division

MVP 鈥� Trevor Hannah (Selkirk Bears); Top scorer 鈥� Trevor Hannah (Selkirk Bears);

Best defenceman 鈥� Stefan Allen (K&D Outlaws); Best goalie 鈥� Greg Elias (K&D Outlaws).

Oldtimers division

MVP 鈥� Rick Smith (Arrows); Top scorer 鈥� Billy Carifelle (Kaska Warriors); Best defenceman 鈥� Billy Powers (Kaska Warriors); Best goalie 鈥� Craig McDonald (Kaska Warriors).

Jamboree division

MVP 鈥� Liam Kossman (Tahltan Selects); Top scorer 鈥� Mike Arnold (Inland Tlingit Warriors); Best defenceman 鈥� Adrienne Dewhurst (Inland Tlingit Warriors); Best goalie 鈥� Braydon Abou (Inland Tlingit Warriors).

Youth division

MVP 鈥� Mathew Cooper (Wolverines); Top scorer 鈥� Jonas Leas (Wolverines); Best defenceman 鈥� Cruz Goodman (Wolverines); Best goalie 鈥� Ethan Vanderkley (Wolverines); Most Sportsmanlike Player 鈥� Andrew Charlie (Jr. Gwich'in Braves); Team Spirit Award 鈥� Teslin Rough Riders.

Individual awards

Most Sportsmanlike Team 鈥� Butch's Bandits (Williams Lake); Most Inspirational Player 鈥� Don Magun (Kaska Warriors); Harry Allen 鈥楽amay Thia' Leadership Award 鈥� Karee Vallevand; Most Improved Team 鈥� Kaska Warriors; Most Dedicated Mom 鈥� Sandi Gleason.