Hockey challenge lives up to name
Competitors come in from across North
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, April 23 2014
RANKIN INLET/IQALUIT
A small group of organizers have taken it upon themselves to hold a tournament in Iqaluit this coming weekend, April 25 to 27, to name a Northern Hockey Challenge (NHC) champion for 2014.
Neco Towtongie of the Yellowknife First Air
Flyers sets up a screen in front of Iqaluit Icemen Wayne Kusugak and goalie Aaron Ejetsiak during the final of the 2013 Northern Hockey Challenge in Yellowknife. - NNSL file photo |
As of press time, two teams from Iqaluit, plus Rankin Inlet and Kuujjuaq, Nunavik, were confirmed for the tournament, and defending NHC champion Yellowknife was still a possibility.
Hay River had to decline an invitation, as the community's ice was removed about three weeks ago and the players couldn't organize the venture on such short notice.
2013 NHC participants Inuvik and Repulse Bay were not considered due to cost constraints.
Repulse will be hosting its own Arctic Circle Cup (ACC) senior men's championship the same weekend, with teams from Rankin, Coral Harbour and Arviat expected to join the two host squads at the ACC.
NHC tourney co-organizer Cody Dean said the two Iqaluit teams will pay a $5,000 registration fee each for the NHC tourney.
He said the fees will be used to help offset the costs of visiting teams to the event.
"The ice is booked and we're good to go," said Dean.
"Hopefully, Yellowknife will be able to get organized in time and it will be a five-team tournament for the NHC championship.
"Normally, the Toonik Tyme tournament is a really big event, but bad weather kept teams from getting in and it wasn't the best this year.
"Hopefully, this tournament will help make up for that."
Dean said short time frame aside, reaction to launching a tournament to crown a NHC champion has been very positive.
He said the City of Iqaluit and original NHC corporate sponsor First Air were quick to get involved, and the players are really excited about it.
"This tournament is a continuation of the NHC so, at least, we can crown a Northern hockey champion for this year.
"I can't see the original NHC format being used again, where First Air flew the teams around for free to play two games.
"But, there may be a way of holding a couple of events that lead to a final series to crown a NHC champion in 2015 and beyond.
"Maybe we can hold regional tournaments and then a final NHC championship, or, maybe, the one big tournament is the way to go, but, however it works out, the main thing is to come up with a feasible format that keeps the NHC alive."
