UNN Youth Hockey Tourney - First Nations Tradition

By Kelly Sharp

  Fort Ware Trail Blazers prepare to hit  the ice at the UNN Youth Hockey Tournament

Twelve years ago, the motivation for the UNN Youth Hockey Tournament in Prince George was to bring First Nations youth together to play hockey. Each team is now allowed two non-aboriginal youth on their roster, but the semi-jamboree format remains intact for youth to celebrate hockey and their First Nations culture.

This past weekend’s tourney attracted 38 teams and 522 young hockey players, aged six to seventeen years. Development (non-contact) and competitive levels featured a total of 70 games at the Kin Centres. Chase represented the most southern BC team.

Among the Alberta entries included two teams from High Prairie and four teams from Horse Lake. Tournament organizer Sheldon Bjorklund says the host committee tries to help any team in need of more players. “We will get 50 players with their hockey bags show up just wanting to play,” Bjorklund said. Two players came from Watson Lake to find a team for the three day tournament.

For the Fort Ware Trail Blazers, the opportunity to skate on artificial ice is a treat. Their outdoor rink on the reserve 600 km north of Prince George can be buried in snow or a pool of water.

Twelve year-old Fort Ware defenseman Mark Smaaslet experienced is first-ever hockey tournament. “It’s kind of a challenge,” the youngest of the Fort Ware development team said. “I try not to get angry when I fall, but its fun.”

“We really look forward to the tournament,” Fort Ware Trail Blazers head coach Mark McCook said. “Win or lose doesn’t matter as long as they play a game.”

The Blazers coach and players are hoping plans for an indoor rink in Fort Ware will be finalized in the near future.

The UNN Youth Hockey Tournament is no stranger to scouts who are looking for talent away from the main stream of minor hockey. Canadian world junior goalie Carey Price donned the pads for many a youth tournament in Prince George. D.J. King of the St.Louis Blues skated for Loon Lake Saskatchewan at the UNN tourney prior to his Western Hockey League career.

One Alberta hockey coach said he tries to put together a team for the Prince George tournament that includes First Nations players who have potential for junior hockey.

Plans are already underway for next year’s tournament with talk of Saskatchewan entries to the celebration of First Nations hockey and culture.

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