Yukon Native Hockey Tournament Set For This Weekend

Photo courtesy of City of Whitehorse

The Nisutlin Knights will be making history,  becoming the first all-female adult team to compete at the tournament in Whitehorse.

The 42nd annual Yukon Native Hockey Tournament opening ceremonies are set for tonight.

43 teams will be participating at the Canada Games Centre and Takhini Arena over the weekend, with teams participating across six division in this years tournament.

President of the Yukon First Nations Hockey Association Michelle Dawson-Beattie says volunteers are preparing earlier and earlier every year for the tournament as it gains in popularity.

"It seems like we start preparing earlier and earlier just because we're getting a lot more teams interested...Normally we start preparing in November and December and things really pick up in January. It's all-out from January until March."

Beattie says The Nisutlin Knights will also be making history,  becoming the first all-female adult team to compete at the tournament in Whitehorse.

"We now have an all women's team in the adult division so there's a lot of thought being put into if we're potentially going to have a women's division... Hopefully this sparks some interest from ladies out there so next year we have more than one team."

Beattie says teams across western Canada are participating in this years tournament.

"Reign Lake is in the "A" division... We have Williams Lake in the "B" division... we have players from all across Canada." 

Last years winners include K&D Outlaws in the A division, Reign Lake in the B division, and Tu Lid lini Lightning in the C division. 

Beattie those still interested in volunteering can do so by stopping by Takhini Arena or by emailing volunteeryiha@gmail.com

CHON-FM will have live coverage of the tournament tonight and throughout Sunday.

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