RANKIN INLET/KIVALLIQ
The Rankin Inlet Charles Town Chiefs welcomed back the Kivalliq Cup old-timer's tournament in style, going undefeated on their way to claiming the championship on home ice earlier this month.

Rankin Inlet captain Noel Kaludjak, left, accepts the Kivalliq Cup championship trophy from David Ningeongan at the oldtimer's hockey tournament. - Darrell Greer/NNSL photo

The Chiefs defeated Arviat by the mercy rule to claim the cup.

Also competing from the host community were Team Todd and the Legends, while Coral Harbour and Baker Lake also took part.

The 2016 Kivalliq Cup is slated for Baker Lake.

The tournament marked the return of an event that, although absent for a number of years, was once one of the hottest Kivalliq tournaments of the year.

Organizer Robert Kabvitok said he had thought quite a bit about trying to revive the Kivalliq Cup.

He said he wanted to see guys 35 and older, many of whom had drifted away from hockey, get back on the ice and start enjoying the game again.

"The other communities were up for it and, every time I'd call, they'd tell me more guys were registering who hadn't played for awhile," said Kabvitok.

"That was good to hear, so I kept updating everyone and communities started committing to it.

"We had three out-of-town teams and almost a fourth in Whale Cove.

"It felt so good to hear guys who hadn't skated in four or five years were lacing them up again."

Kabvitok said he was happy with how things went.

He said it was great to see guys he used to play with back in midget or senior men's hockey.

"I talked to a lot of guys on the weekend about keeping the return of the Kivalliq Cup going strong.

"I'll stay in touch with everyone to see how the programs are going in their own communities."

Kabvitok acknowledges the champion Chiefs were a very strong team and said there was some discussion about dividing the players into two teams.

But he said in the end, the decision was made to put Rankin's best team forward going for the cup.

"We didn't know how strong the other teams were going to be.

"Coral Harbour and Arviat always had strong teams in

the past, so we kept our team the way it was."

Kabvitok said the feedback he received from the visiting players was positive.

He said many of them told him they had been hoping the Kivalliq Cup would come back one day.

"It's been about six to eight years since the Kivalliq Cup was held.

"Back in its day, it was really cool how the tournament would alternate between communities and it was so big in the Kivalliq.

"It was suggested that maybe the defending champs should host it now, but we really need every community to get its old-timer's program going again if we're going to get this back to the way it was.

"I'm going to do my best to make sure the Kivalliq Cup gets big again and, knowing Baker Lake and how strong its planning is, I'm sure it's going to be a good tournament next year."