Coppermine (Feb 07/05) - Danny Kolaohok always knew sporting events could bring people together. But he realized just how much at a recent soccer tournament in Kugluktuk where he met a daughter he never knew he had

Heather Ohokak, left, met her dad Danny Kolaohok and her half-sister Mahik Havioyak on Jan. 30 at a soccer tournament in Kugluktuk. - photo courtesy of Nancy Havioyak

"I was really surprised, but I'm so happy," said Kolaohok, 44, who lives in Kugluktuk with his wife Nancy Havioyak and their five children.

It was Danny's daughter Mahik who broke the news to Danny on Jan. 30 during the tournament.

"She came home and told me I have a daughter on the Cambridge Bay team," Danny said. "I was surprised and shocked. But I said, 'Yes, of course I would like to meet her!'"

Heather Ohokak was born on Dec. 26, 14 years ago. Danny and Heather's mom, Eva Ohokak, had a brief love affair that ended when Danny left for the army. He spent the next three years in Corwallis, N.S.

Reached by phone in Cambridge Bay last week, Eva said she never told Danny she got pregnant and gave birth to Heather because in her mind he was gone away to the army, and that was it. She moved on.

"She was scared to tell me," said Danny. "She was shy. She said sorry. I'm glad I know. I told her it's okay. We're going to keep in touch."

Eva said she is truly ecstatic now that her daughter has met her father. Heather is Eva's only child. Eva admits she was nervous about talking to Danny again after so many years.

But now that a father and daughter have been brought together, there is nothing but love and friendship flowing between all the families.

"It's really nice," said Nancy, Danny's wife, who has been a really good sport throughout the emotional reunions.

"We took lots of pictures. We're trying to get Heather up here to visit this summer."