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INUVIK
Before heading to Inuvik for the NHLPA First Assist Charity Classic Tour, the farthest north Ottawa Senators defenceman Marc Methot had been was Edmonton.

Jordin Tootoo, now a member of the Detroit Red Wings, shakes deputy mayor Jim McDonald's hand after the ceremonial puck drop as Chris Neil of the Ottawa Senators looks on. - Danielle Sachs/NNSL photo

"It's unbelievable," he said after arriving in Inuvik. "Everyone we've met has been more than hospitable and the coolest thing has been the dances."

In Inuvik, the NHL players were welcomed with a community feast and a presentation by the Inuvik Drummers and Dancers, where the players donned gloves and joined in the fun on Nov. 20.

Les Skinner, president of the Inuvik Minor Hockey Association, said 375 tickets were available and every last one sold, but there were more people than tickets at the Midnight Sun Complex.

"The mezzanine and community lounge were opened for our sponsors and volunteers, like the drummers and dancers," Skinner said.

The event came together with a couple of weeks notice. Skinner didn't talk to NHL alumni John Chabot until Friday night when they started planning an agenda. Chabot organized the tour on behalf of First Assist, which aims to help First Nations children in sports and education.

Benefit to the community

Skinner didn't have much of a chance to watch the game, but he said he's positive it was a big benefit to the youth in the community.

Half the funds raised directly benefit hockey in Inuvik and the other half goes to Chabot's First Assist Charity.

The game at the Midnight Sun Complex was contested by the Black Team and the White Team. The Black Team was considered the home team, and won 8-7 in sudden-death overtime.

Matthew Skinner was the only non-NHL player to score a goal. At 17, he's been playing hockey in Inuvik for eight years.

"I was pumped, I couldn't believe it at first," he said. "I just took a slapshot and it went in. It's going to be so awesome to tell friends in the future."

Skinner took home that puck as a keepsake, and said he will always remember it as his first NHL goal, but not the last.

"Right now the best part is seeing how people live," said Guillaume Latendresse, who plays left wing for the Ottawa Senators. "There are special things and it's fun for us to see these people. I want to tell everybody and come back here."

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