91社区破解版

The 44th Kilrich Building Centres Yukon Native Hockey Tournament is in the books.

The tournament ran from Thursday to Sunday at Takhini Arena and the Canada Games Centre in 91社区破解版. It culminated in the finals Sunday at Takhini Arena.

There were 56 teams in total, including 40 adult teams and 16 youth teams. 31 were from Yukon communities; 14 came from B.C. and 11 hailed from the Northwest Territories.

The opening ceremony took place Friday at Takhini Arena.

The Dakhk谩 Khwa谩n Dancers led the hockey teams on to the ice to open the ceremony.

Following a few speeches, Minister Jeanie McLean presented the 2024 Harry Allen 鈥淪amay Thia鈥� Memorial Leadership Award to Elder Franklin Roberts from Selkirk First Nation.

鈥淭hroughout his lifetime, Franklin has been a tireless advocate for sports and recreation in his community,鈥� related McLean.

Roberts said 鈥渉ockey has been a big part of my life.鈥�

He played in the tournament 鈥渨ay back when it first started in the 80鈥檚.

鈥淚鈥檓 happy to be here today.鈥�

Roberts added, 鈥淕ood luck to my home team. I hope you bring the trophy home.鈥�

The 2024 Jean Gleason Memorial Hockey Mom Award recipient was Jeneane Tashoots from Iskut-Tahltan Nation.

McLean also presented a huge cheque for $25,000 to the Yukon Native Hockey Association from the Yukon government. McLean said the money was intended to offset the cost of the ice fees incurred during the tournament.

鈥淛eneane exemplifies the essence of a hockey mom,鈥� said McLean, who cited Tashoots鈥� 鈥渦nwavering commitment鈥� to the game of hockey.

鈥淲ith a nurturing spirit and dedication to the game, Jeneane has cultivated a team environment that fosters sportsmanship and loyalty.鈥�

Former Edmonton Oilers captain Andrew Ference was on hand to drop the ceremonial puck. Ference had a message for the players.

鈥淪oak it up. Play hard, play with passion and make sure you walk away from this tournament with a new friend and new friendships on other teams as well.

鈥淭his is what it鈥檚 all about. This is incredibly special.鈥�

Dawson Brinkman, a right wing with the Dawson City Wolfpack, got his picture taken with Ference.

Brinkman, 15, was playing in the tournament for the first time.

鈥淚t鈥檚 pretty cool.鈥�

When asked what the best thing about the tourney was so far, Brickman simply replied, 鈥淗ockey.鈥�

Yukon First Nations Hockey Association President Michelle Dawson-Beattie explained what the opening ceremony meant to her.

鈥淚t means a lot just to see how many people are here and how much the tournament means to them. It goes to show that it鈥檚 a lot more than about hockey; celebrating who we are as Indigenous people.

鈥淐ommunity is such a huge deal. Without this community, this would not be possible. To the players, to the refs, to the fans, to the families, to the volunteers, the coordinators, our timekeepers, it takes a whole community to pull this off.鈥�

Dawson-Beattie acknowledged that the tournament is like a reunion.

鈥淭here鈥檚 people I don鈥檛 see all throughout the year and only see them here at the tournament, so it鈥檚 pretty great.鈥�

Dawson-Beattie added a thank you to the sponsors, the board, and the coordinators, Karee Vallevand and Tanya Hope.

鈥淭hey do an amazing job. They make me look good.鈥�

Dawson-Beattie said she鈥檚 been helping organize the tourney for six or seven years.

鈥淵ou think you鈥檝e got a handle on it and then something new happens.鈥�

Recent changes include adding the women鈥檚 division last year, as well as an extra day. In addition, the Jamboree and A divisions have been split up.

鈥淛ust when you think you can get comfortable, things change,鈥� related Dawson-Beattie.

The women鈥檚 division increased from five to six teams this year.

鈥淚t just shows the increase in popularity.鈥�

Dawson-Beattie added, 鈥淗ope everybody has a great weekend and plays safe.鈥�

The division winners were as follows:

A Division: LJ鈥檚 Sabres.

B Division: K&D Outlaws

C Division: Kwanlin D眉n Predators

Women鈥檚 Division: YT Cougars

Oldtimers Division: CAFN Bruins

Youth Division: Fort Nelson Bears

Jamboree A Division: North Yukon Eagles

Jamboree B Division: JMB Thunder

The Star will have more on the tournament this week.