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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Teams from Inuvik showed off their hockey prowess once again at the First Nations Cup in Yellowknife from Dec. 19 to 21.

Nicky Ipana of Inuvik Northwind comes down the wing during the senior men's final at the First Nations Cup in Yellowknife on Dec. -James McCarthy/NNSL photo.

The East Three Rebels masters men's team took home the title in their division with a convincing 9-0 win over the Dene Nation Yellowjackets, while the Inuvik Northwind senior men completed a sweep of the spoils by beating up on the Fort Providence Bulls, 12-1 in their final to take the title for the second year running.

The senior men got to the final following a win over the Gwichin Flames and defenceman Josh Campbell said winning it all was a big thrill.

"We've never had a chance to send a team until the last couple of years, so getting the chance to play and be the top team is awesome," he said. Campbell also said one of the big keys to victory was having everyone play together all year.

"We added a couple of new guys this year, but we've played together and grew up together," he said. "When you have that, everything just falls into place and you jell better as a unit."

Having teams from outside Yellowknife do well shows the balance of power is starting to grow in the territory, Campbell added.

"We just never had the chance to show it until now," he said. "It was always so expensive to travel, but now everyone's seeing what we can do."

One of the big highlights this year was the return of former National Hockey League player Gino Odjick, who signed some autographs and even got in some game action. He said the tournament is a great way to showcase aboriginal hockey players

"There's a lot of good young skaters here," he said. "You watch them play and you can't help but wonder why they aren't playing in the NHL or professional hockey somewhere."

Odjick also said playing in a tournament like this will only help younger players down the road.

"It creates accountability to your teammates and that they can rely on you to do your best," he said. "You're striving for a common goal and that's to win."