Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

ARVIAT
The excitement is starting to mount in Arviat over the Jon Lindell Memorial (JLM) senior men's hockey tournament this coming month.

Arviat SAO Ed Murphy and senior hockey committee members Kelly Owlijoot, left, Gleason Uppahuak and Tony Uluadluak, hope nine teams will compete at the Jon Lindell Memorial senior men's hockey tournament this coming month in Arviat. Missing from the photo are Jonathan Pameolik and Robert Karetak. - photo courtesy of Gleason Uppahuak

The JLM had been set for January, but had to be rescheduled to Feb. 16-19 due to problems at the Arviat arena.

Arviat senior men's hockey committee president Gleason Uppahuak said the arena should be open by the end of this month.

He said the concrete floor has been repaired, and work on the boards and glass surrounding the ice began this past week.

"We expect the work to be done by Jan. 20, and then we can finally begin flooding," said Uppahuak.

"It'll take about a week of flooding and painting the lines and then everything should be ready."

Uppahuak said Arviat players will have to work hard to be in good physical shape for the JLM due to the delay.

He said the committee expects strong participation from communities across the region, and hockey fans in Arviat are still eagerly anticipating the event.

"It was a great event in 2011 and, this year, we hope to have three local teams compete, as well as Rankin Inlet, Whale Cove, Churchill, Man., Baker Lake, Repulse Bay and Coral Harbour.

"We're sending out the official invitations now, and the communities I mentioned have all shown a genuine interest in attending.

"We're very excited about having Calm Air as a major sponsor, as well as Eskimo Point Lumber Supply and the Padlei Co-op."

The committee is reaching out to the community to accommodate six out-of-town teams at the JLM.

Uppahuak said passes will be given to those who billet players for the event.

"Anyone who billets a player during the tournament will be given a weekend pass so the entire household can go to every game they want.

"Everyone's been talking about the JLM since the holidays, so it looks like most of the community is really looking forward to it.

"It doesn't look like the arena delay has dampened anyone's enthusiasm."

The JLM is officially among the big-money events, with this year's winning team set to skate away with a cool $10,000, while second place will be worth $5,000.

Third, fourth and fifth place will be worth $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000 respectively.

Uppahuak said the Hamlet of Arviat also deserves credit for growing the JLM.

He said the event could never offer this much prize money without the support of hamlet council.

"Council awarded us three bingo slots this year, which was a huge boost for the tournament.

"We're hoping the prize money, and special airfare rates for players and fans from our major sponsor, will bring a lot more people to the JLM this year.

"We'll also be hosting a jumbo jackpot bingo during the event on Feb. 18."

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.