RANKIN INLET - The First Air Avataq Cup has come a long way since Brian Sigurdson and a small group of volunteers had the idea for an annual hockey tournament in Rankin Inlet more than 10 years ago.

Pujjuut Kusugak accepts a beautiful carving from Kupapik Ningeocheak for being named the Most Valuable Player at the First Air Avataq Cup senior men's hockey championship. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

There were no events in Rankin at the time, so local players were travelling to other communities to compete in tourneys like the Johnny Kook Memorial in Whale Cove.

Sigurdson said it left a hole in a hockey community like Rankin when the annual business tournament stopped being held in the late 1990s.

He said it was time to start another big tournament in Rankin, so he set out to make it happen.

"I talked to Jackson Lindell about it and he was interested, so he and I kind of started it off," said Sigurdson.

"That was right after the Avataq tragedy and we were looking for a good name for the tournament that would encourage community involvement and, maybe, raise community spirit.

"We thought it would be nice to have a memorial tournament for the men who lost their lives on the Avataq, so we asked the family members for their permission.

"They were a little hesitant at first because the accident was so recent, but they gave their permission and that turned out to be a great thing because look where the tournament is now."

Sigurdson played in the first four Avataq Cup Memorial (as it was known then) events before being involved in a snowmobile accident that cost him an arm.

He returned behind the bench of the Rankin Inuks two years ago.

Sigurdson said he always hoped the Avataq would turn out to be a tournament that would last a very long time, but he never envisioned it becoming as large as it has.

He said he never planned to leave the Avataq organizing committee, but things worked out that way.

"My wife wanted to be closer to her family, so we moved to Arviat for a while and, I guess, it was decided in Rankin to form a new committee, so I kind of went out of the picture.

"I got out of hockey completely after my accident, but I was really missing it so I began coaching minor hockey.

"Then, two years ago, I was asked to be the Avataq tournament commissioner, which I accepted, and Gary (Sigurdson) and Patrick (Kaludjak) formed a team I agreed to sponsor.

"At first I didn't want anything to do with the team, other than sponsor it, but last year I went behind the bench and, although I'd like to see someone else take over in a year or two, I'm going to be back next year."

Pujjuut Kusugak captained the Miners to their seventh tournament win this year.

Kusugak said the excitement starts in the community days before the actual tournament.

He said many people are excited because they have family members coming to play in the tournament or to take in all the action.

"They can't wait for the Avataq to start because they know they'll be billeting their relatives," said Kusugak.

"The Avataq has become almost a kick-start to spring now, and it's a regional and a family event that brings a lot of people together."

Kusugak said it's amazing how consistent the crowds are during the tournament, no matter what time the puck is dropped or what teams are playing.

He said the games are a reason for families to get together and catch up with each other while watching hockey.

"It was also incredible this year to see the response from the people over the giant raffle that was held.

"The committee kept the price for this year's raffle the same as in previous years - even though it was the first time the top prize was a new truck - as a way of thanking the fans for being so supportive all these years.

"Every ticket was sold and it was awesome going out for the third period with the vehicle on the ice and the atmosphere in the rink.

"You see the emotion of the winner and you just get chills watching it all."

This year marked the first time the Avataq's most valuable player received the Jose Kusugak Memorial Award in honour of Pujjuut's father.

Pujjuut was powerless to hold back the tears when he heard his name called as the first winner.

"I had my son (Qaritaq) right beside me and I was getting emotional just hearing the award was now named after my father," said Pujjuut.

"I had no idea I was going to win and I broke down when I heard my name called.

"That was the proudest I've ever been as a player and, later on, I thought about all the ups and downs we went through to win it.

"Winning it back after losing it last year, knowing how much being part of these games and entertaining people meant to my dad, and winning the first award named after him combined to make this the best one ever for me."

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