Shooting at a higher level
Regional approach key to Kivalliq hockey, says coach
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
RANKIN INLET
The key to improving the overall level of Kivalliq hockey is getting players used to a higher level at a younger age, says an Arviat minor hockey coach.
Gleason Uppahuak, left, and Doug Ollie of Arviat display the new Junior Canucks sweater and track suit the regional atoms team will wear to the Aboriginal Hockey Tournament in April of 2016. - photo courtesy of Gleason Uppahuak |
Gleason Uppahuak is teaming with Rankin Inlet minor coach David Clark to select an atoms team (players aged eight to 10) to compete at the annual Aboriginal Hockey Tournament this coming April 8 to 10 in Winnipeg.
The event is hosted by the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council.
Uppahuak said he's worried about the drop in the number of registered players he's seen in Arviat this year.
He said there's a chance even more young players may give up on the game if they don't have a goal to shoot for each year.
"We have to start improving the skill level of our kids at a younger age and have them looking forward to playing in more tournaments in the south, as well as the Arctic Winter Games," said Uppahuak.
"It's no good when kids only play each other all year, if they even have enough players in their age group to do that.
"If that means we have to take a more regional approach, then that's what we have to do.
"Of course, the biggest challenge with that is the money you have to raise because hockey is expensive today."
Uppahuak just took delivery of a brand-new set of jerseys and track suits for the 13 players and two goalies who make the regional team going to the aboriginal tournament.
The Junior Canucks is a play on the region's junior 'C' team, the Kivalliq Canucks.
So far, Uppahuak has received financial support from the Arviat Hamlet Council, Arviat Minor Hockey Association, Eskimo Point Lumber Supply, Arviat Padlei Co-op, Arctic Connections and the Avery Cooper Financial Corp.
Calm Air is also helping out with a lower airfare for the kids to travel to Winnipeg for the event.
"David (Clark) and I will use the Arctic Atoms tournament in Rankin as a section camp for the Junior Canucks team," said Uppahuak.
"It could be possible to develop a regional program where we have a Kivalliq Canucks team for atoms, peewee, bantam and midget, as well as the junior 'C' team.
"It could also include a female team, if they were interested."
Uppahuak said the level of play at the aboriginal tournament is about atoms AA.
He said the Junior Canucks' first time at the tourney will show how far the Kivalliq children have to go to be competitive at the event.
"We might be competitive right away, and I hope that's how it goes, but we won't know until we get there.
"Once we select the team, and make sure their parents are OK with them going, we will need at least one parent or guardian to go with every kid at that age.
"The kids will have a blast there and it's one small step towards improving our hockey program regionally."
