Atoms ready to explode
Arviat Wolves hungry to compete in upcoming events
Darrell Greer
Northern News Services
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
ARVIAT
The Arviat Wolves are gearing up to test their mettle against the best atom hockey teams in the Kivalliq and in Thompson, Man., and surrounding areas during the next two months.
The Wolves head to Thompson to compete in the Munn Cup from Feb. 11 to 14, before travelling to Rankin Inlet to take part in the Arctic Atoms from March 25 to 27.
There is also a possibility some of the Arviat players may be selected to travel to Winnipeg for the Manitoba Aboriginal Hockey Tournament from April 8 to 10.
The team's head coach and general manager, Gleason Uppahuak, said the Wolves have been holding four 90-minute practices per week.
He said the players are "super pumped" over the upcoming events and can't wait to take to the ice in Thompson and Rankin.
"This is my third year taking the team to the Munn Cup and we're all really looking forward to it," said Uppahuak.
"I've been with this group since they started hockey, and I took them to Thompson to play in minor novice in 2014 and major novice in 2015.
"This year we're entering the Atom 'A' bracket.
"We finished dead last out of 14 teams our first year, moved all the way up to fifth place out of 17 teams this past year, and we're going to be competitive again this year."
The Wolves will travel to Thompson with 14 skaters and a goalie.
Uppahuak said about 90 per cent of the players on the Wolves share the same birth year.
He said the boys are all part of his "son's crew," but that's not the only reason he continues to coach them.
"I take the kids to Thompson to experience playing hockey outside of our community and region.
"They look forward to the Munn Cup a bit more than the Arctic Atoms in Rankin because of the swimming pool in Thompson, as well as the big indoor playground at the arena complex.
"My players and I have a lot of mutual respect for each other - and they respect the teams they're playing against - and I credit good communication as the key to that relationship.
"I enjoy doing this for all the kids, not just my son."
Uppahuak said Calm Air has been very good in accommodating the Wolves to get them to the Munn Cup.
He said he couldn't ask for anything more than what the airline has done for the
team.
"They (Calm Air) put us on two flights, taking us in two groups from Arviat direct to Thompson and return.
"We hold raffle tickets and bake sales for fundraising, and the hamlet has been very good in supporting us with bingo slots so we can raise the money to attend these events.
"Having a good relationship with Calm Air and our hamlet council means everything to us, in terms of being able to get the kids to these tournaments."
