Modest success for inaugural tourney

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The Bonaparte Bruins edged the Prince George Lumber Kings 8-7 in the championship final of the inaugural All-Native Nk'maplqs Hockey Challenge Cup.

For their efforts, the Bruins' players split a total of $1,700 in cash and prizes. The Lumber Kings took home $1,200 in cash and prizes.

The Williams Lake Longhorns took third place and $700 in cash and prizes.

Organizers are content with the modest success of the first All Native hockey tournament staged in Vernon in more than 30 years.

The men's hockey tournament was held April 1 to 3 and organizers were hoping to attract 16 teams, including possibly some out-of-province participants.

But they ended up getting 11 entrants, all of the competing clubs from British Columbia.

"We heard some people never heard about our event," said tournament director Keith Louis. "We'll make sure next year that won't happen."

The inaugural event, restricted to recreational teams, featured non-contact action. All participants had to be at least 16 years old.

Louis said he was not upset organizers did not reach their original goal of 16 clubs.

"I'm not disappointed at all," he said. "We're in a growing process. And hopefully things will be bigger and better next year."

The majority of the tournament games were held at the Vernon Multiplex with the remainder held at the Vernon Civic Arena.

Louis said tournament organizers will meet in the near future to discuss details about the 2006 tournament.

There's a possibility other categories, such as oldtimers or contact, will be added.

Louis said a big draw was playing in the tournament's main arena.

"They all loved playing in the Multiplex," he said of the competitors.

The arena, which has a seating capacity of more than 3,000, is home to the Vernon Vipers, a Junior A squad that competes in the British Columbia Hockey League.

Like most sporting events, Louis said the inaugural tournament would not have been possible if numerous people had not stepped up to lend a hand.

"I have to commend the volunteers," he said. "They were a big help in the success of the tournament." Louis estimates there were as many as 50 volunteers who helped with the running of the event.