Rankin Inlet (Mar 23/05) - Old-time hockey ruled in the Kivalliq region this past week as a squad of U.S.A. players faced off with teams in Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove.

The American old-timers are a group of hockey lovers from along the Eastern Seaboard who travel to Canada every year for some friendly competition and sightseeing.

The trips are arranged by team captain Mike Chase, with each player chipping in to pay expenses.

Massachusetts native Bill Strickland says the group has been touring parts of Canada for the past 10 years.

In the past three years alone, the team has played in Montreal, Whitehorse, Inuvik, Yellowknife, Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove.

"The tournament was really exciting in Iqaluit and we thoroughly enjoyed our time in Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove," says Strickland.

"The people up here are super nice and the calibre of hockey would really surprise a lot of people."

When they're not at the arena, the group enjoys sightseeing and the odd cultural experience.

"We went on a dog-sled ride while in Rankin, and that was absolutely incredible.

"It was a little chilly, but an awful lot of fun."

Strickland says the players in his group have always loved the game, even though only a few have ever played organized hockey.

He says the notion most Americans don't know, or care, about the NHL work stoppage is far from correct.

"I watch the NHL a lot and really miss it, but now I'm watching a lot more college hockey.

"I see more and more people going that route; watching high school, college and junior hockey.

"We're not so different than hockey fans in Canada in that the longer the lockout goes on, the more we're realizing there's lots of other good hockey out there."

Strickland says many hockey fans in the U.S.A. have sided with the NHL owners.

He says like Canadians, they hope lower salaries will lead to a more affordable NHL experience.

"Sports, in general, have gone the wrong way and it's all about the money now.

"Pro players will always make a comfortable living.

"It's time they get back to the game and more in touch with their fans."