Playing the game with honour
Rankin players recognized by officials for skill, respect
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, March 19, 2014
RANKIN INLET
Combining a high skill level with a sense of fair play and respect for the game is not always an easy thing to do in hockey.
Level 4 official Max MacDonald, left, presents the 2014 Avataq Cup Kivalliq News Official's Award to Darren Ikakhik in Rankin Inlet this past week. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo |
Two of Rankin Inlet's best at combining skill and sportsmanship, James Connelly and Darren Ikakhik, were recognized for their talent this past week.
Connelly won the Kivalliq News Official's Award for the Rankin Inlet Senior Men's Hockey League, while Ikakhik earned the 2014 Avataq Cup Kivalliq News Official's Award.
Winners of both awards are selected by the onice officials.
Connelly, a twotime winner of the league award, said there's a growing place in the game for skilled players who stay away from penalties.
He said you can play today's game with a lot of intensity without rackingup a pile of penalty minutes.
"The way the game is called now, you have to play smart and be careful with what you do," said Connelly.
"Players know they can't get away with things they used to, so you have to adjust your play or you're going to spend a lot of time in the box.
"There's a lot of guys with important roles on teams who play hard, but stay out of the box."
Connelly said things get a lot more intense during tournament play. He said you have to take it a little easier in league play, because refs sometimes let more go in tournaments, with so much on the line.
"You have to step up in tournaments, but I play pretty much the same style.
"I got one penalty in the league this year (and 46 points in 27 games) and didn't take any in the Avataq (with five goals in seven games), so I was pretty consistent.
"Most players have adjusted to how the game is called now, so it's less rough and cleaner hockey.
"Even the Avataq has become about skill, rather than trying to bruise people up."
Ikakhik agrees play is cleaner since Hockey Canada put a renewed emphasis on the rules, especially with hitting from behind, hitting to the head, hooking and holding.
He said while the Rankin league is the best in Nunavut, things rise to a new level when it's Avataq time.
"The games are more competitive, and a lot more intense," said Ikakhik.
"It's just not the same after the Avataq, whether it's league play some years or just pickup.
"The Avataq is such an intense level, playing after it you don't have to think as much or work nearly as hard."
Ikakhik said he doesn't change his style of play in the Avataq, even though every game is so important.
He said he continues to play as hard as he can (10 points in six games) while still keeping it clean (no penalties).
"There are times during the Avataq, with the intensity, you might think about doing something you really don't want to, but I try to stay calm and keep playing my game.
"The game is better now.
"There are still guys who can put up points while getting a lot of penalties, but not so many now.
"Players see you can be intense, play hard and keep it clean, and that, too, is good for the game in my opinion."
