Oldtimers take to the ice in annual tournament

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As tournament chairman, Milt Tootoosis always knew how much hard work was required to run the Lawrence Weenie Cup. Now, finally, he also knows what it feels like to win the Native masters (35 and over) hockey tournament.

This year's three-day tournament, which attracted 10 Saskatchewan-based clubs, concluded on April 2 in North Battleford.

Tootoosis, a goalie, led Team Indigenous to a 5-2 victory over the Northwest Chiefs in the championship final of the sixth annual Lawrence Weenie Cup.

Besides organizing the tournament held in honour of his late father, Tootoosis has also competed in the event since its inception.

"We finally assembled a good team with both offence and defence," Tootoosis said. "It made my job a lot easier."

In the past, Tootoosis had suited up for clubs with various team names in the tournament.

The core of this year's winning squad has played together for the past three years.

Besides Saskatchewan, Team Indigenous also included players from British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba.

The club won all five of its matches at the tournament. For its efforts, Team Indigenous was awarded the top prize of $3,000.

As the runners-up, the Northwest Chiefs were awarded $1,500. The third-place finishers, the Sounding Sky Legends, also took home some cash, $750.

The majority of the contests at this year's tournament were held at the Don Ross Arena.

As in the past, the championship final was staged at the more spacious North Battleford Civic Centre.

"It's one of the big attractions of our tournament," Tootoosis said, adding the prospect of playing in front of a large crowd is appealing to most participants.

More than 1,500 people attended the championship final.

"It's phenomenal for oldtimers hockey to play in front of a crowd like that," Tootoosis said.

Many of the competitors were former participants of the annual senior men's tournament run by Battleford's Indian and Metis Friendship Centre (BIMFC). The 42nd annual running of that event was held during the same weekend as the Lawrence Weenie Cup.

A member of Team Indigenous, Mo McCaullum, was selected as the most valuable player at this year's Lawrence Weenie Cup.

McCaullum had previously been a member of the winning side at the BIMFC tournament for seven years in a row.

"It was a special treat to see him winning again," Tootoosis said.

Tootoosis was also inspired by another one of his teammates, 52-year-old Paul McLean, the oldest member of Team Indigenous, who used to star in Native senior tournaments years ago.

"For us to see a guy like that come back was really motivating," Tootoosis said.