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IQALUIT/KIVALLIQ - The days of Team Kivalliq reigning supreme at Nunavut's Challenge Cup Junior C hockey tournament may soon be at an end.

The capital plans to unveil its new Iqaluit Junior Hockey League (IJHL) in October, with a focus on player development and improving the Baffin's junior program.

Joshua QumuatuqThomas of Iqaluit hits his stride during a recent tryout for the Kanata Stallions of the Canadian Junior Hockey League in Ontario. - photo courtesy of John Thomas

Three teams will compete in the IJHL, with each icing nine forwards, five defencemen and two goalies per game.

League president John Thomas said team selection scrimmages began this past Saturday.

He said two teams will play a game every Saturday evening, with the third holding a practice session.

"Participating in the IJHL won't prevent kids from playing in their regular league," said Thomas.

"Most kids aged 15 to 17 are still playing midget hockey and some of the 16- and 17-year olds are playing in the senior men's league along with our players 18 to 21.

"That's all in addition to the high school kids who are still involved with our hockey skills academy, which is in its third year in Iqaluit now.

"So there will be a lot of ice time for these kids."

In addition to a higher calibre of hockey, the IJHL will provide on- and off-ice training to help prepare players for a shot at participating in a tier two junior A prospects camp.

Thomas is connected to the Kanata Stallions of the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL).

The Stallions would like to see Nunavut's top young players attend a May prospects camp which all 11 CJHL teams scout.

"Hockey Nunavut has had a junior C program for the past six years and we're hoping the IJHL will help make the Team Baffin entry into the Challenge Cup a lot stronger than it's been in the past.

"We also hope people such as former L.A. Kings goaltending consultant Andy Nowicki can help open doors to the south for our kids.

"Nowicki's highly respected in a number of Nunavut communities and he's been helping young players across the territory get noticed for years."

Thomas said Nunavut players have to understand off-ice physical preparation is key to obtaining the next level.

He said players have to be ready to perform the minute they arrive at camp if they want to stand out.

"Players do a lot of work in the off season to be in top physical shape when they arrive at camp and that's all part of the message we want to convey to these kids.

"We want the IJHL as competitive as possible but we'll have an emphasis on the younger players.

"The Junior A clubs are looking at players 14 and 15 for development purposes.

"Hopefully we can help a number of Nunavut players develop better so they can make a strong impression when they get in front of scouts down south."

R.L. Hanson Construction and Raven Rock are sponsoring two IJHL teams, while the Stallions are sponsoring the third.

There are four coaches committed who have High Performance Level 1 training.

Thomas said there are several former players and coaches with solid track records in the game looking to get involved.

"Former Sport Nunavut head Frank Tootoo has expressed interest in getting involved with the IJHL so he can focus on building an aboriginal team to compete in the various programs and tournaments now being offered.

"That should work well because most of our kids are beneficiaries."

Hockey Nunavut president and Team Kivalliq junior coach Donald Clark of Rankin Inlet said he hopes the IJHL does well.

He said the new league will help develop the younger players and keep them playing full-contact hockey throughout the season.

"It might take a while before they're able to attract players from other parts of Nunavut to live in Iqaluit to play in the league," said Clark.

"They might attract some from their own region but if a Kivalliq player is good enough to play AAA midget or junior A, he's probably going to go south rather than east.

"But they might attract some players who have been thinking about going to high school in Iqaluit.

"They should probably try to get players like that in their own region for the first year or two."

Clark said he hopes the IJHL does improve the Baffin's junior program.

He said the better the competition amongst the regions, the better the overall development of the territorial program becomes.

"There's been too many years Team Kivalliq has won the Challenge Cup but still didn't play its first real game until skating on the ice at the maritime junior C event.

"Not to knock any of the Baffin or Kitikmeot teams that competed in the Challenge Cup but it's just a higher level of competition down there.

"The IJHL should help whatever team represents Nunavut in the Maritimes because it will be tougher to win that distinction."