194 teams registered to play
MISSISSAUGA—The Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) tournament has come a long way since it first began at the Little Current arena with 17 teams 45 years ago—as of Monday, the registrations for this year’s event starting Sunday, March 13 in Mississauga had topped last year’s record 177 teams, with 194 teams from more than 100 Ontario First Nations signing up to play.
“There will be more than 2,500 players taking to the ice,” noted LNHL President Marvin Assinewai. “We have gone from 17 teams back at the beginning to 10 times that today.”
The tremendous popularity of the LNHL tournament draws people from the remotest of Ontario’s First Nations, and with those team players, coaching staffs, parents and other relatives coming to the host city to watch, the tournament organizers are in the enviable position of having cities line up in a bidding war to secure the hosting rights each year. The City of Sudbury, which has hosted the event in the past, is attempting to lure the tournament back to the Nickel capital.
“I have had a couple of calls from Sudbury councillors,” admitted Mr. Assinewai. “We have sent out invitations to bid to different places, but we have not made any decision on where we will be holding it next year.”
This year’s gala will take place at 6 pm Saturday, March 12 at the Hilton Mississauga. The emcee for the evening is Anishinabek Nation Grand Council Chief Patrick Madahbee, with a keynote delivered by hockey great Ted Nolan. Entertainment will be provided by Manitoulin’s own Herbie Barnes—an exercise in crowd-sourced comedy that will put a fresh shine on improvisational comedy.
The gala will be honouring “Builders of the Little NHL” by induction into a Hall of Fame. These individuals “have been instrumental, as past or present executive members, community level advocates and tireless volunteers of the Little NHL thus promoting the game of hockey. These individuals advocated for community participation at the Little NHL and worked collaboratively to make participating in the Little NHL a memorable experience.” Those inducted into the Hall of Fame include: Lloyd McGregor of Wikwemikong Unceded Territory; Bobby and Arnold Gardiner of Eagle Lake First Nation; the late Violet McGregor of Whitefish River First Nation; the late Georgina McGregor of Whitefish River First Nation; the late Mike (Zeek) Hill of the Six Nations; Pauline Debassige of M’Chigeeng First Nation; Elizabeth Debassige of M’Chigeeng First Nation; the late Wellington Williams of Curve Lake First Nation; Robert Restoule of the Dokis First Nation and the late Dan Couchese of the Kashechewan First Nation.
“We have gone from 17 teams back at the beginning to 10 times that today.”
Also being honoured at this year’s gala are Alumni of the LNHL. Alumni are “former hockey players who participated in the Little NHL and have advanced to play hockey at a higher calibre.” Alumni members have also “been instrumental in advocating hockey development in their communities and continue to support participation in the Little NHL Tournament.” This year’s inductees include Maryanne Menefee of the Oneida First Nation; Kelly Babstock of Wikwemikong Unceded Territory; Mervin Cheechoo of Moose Factory First Nation and Chris Simon of the Michipicoten First Nation.
Debbie Debassige, spokesperson for the LNHL Executive Committee, noted that during the opening ceremonies for the tournament on Sunday, Alexis McGregor of Whitefish River First Nation, the granddaughter of James McGregor, who was one of the founding fathers of the LNHL, will be singing ‘O Canada’ at the opening ceremonies. The Mississauga Steelheads have also invited Ms. McGregor to sing the anthem at their OJHL game the following Wednesday.
This year’s record 194 teams will be divided into three divisions, an ‘A’ division, a recreation division and a girls’ division. The games will commence on Monday and run through to Thursday, from 8 am to 9 pm and will take place at four arenas comprising 12 ice pads, noted Ms. Debassige.
Complimenting the tournament, there will be special events taking place throughout the week including a concussion clinic, motivational speeches, drumming and storytelling, noted Ms. Debassige.
