Players and fans gearing up for some great hockey

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Hockey fans in and around North Battleford should be in their glory during the weekend of March 25 to 27, with two high calibre hockey tournaments being played in the area.

The North Battleford Civic Centre will play host to the Battleford's Indian Metis Friendship Centre's 41st annual All Native Hockey Tournament, which over the years has also become know as the Native Stanley Cup.

"Probably in Western Canada this is probably one of the Native tournaments with the highest calibre of hockey around," said Vince Sauvie, activity co-ordinator for the friendship centre.

It's that calibre that draws both participants and spectators from across the prairies.

"We'll get lots from Alberta and Manitoba," Sauvie said. "There's quite a few spectators that go on the hockey tournament trail just to watch the hockey."

Last year's tournament drew around 4,300 hundred people who came to watch the action.

Organizers are expecting a full roster of 16 teams to take part in this year's tournament. And last year's championship team, the Redskins, managed by comedian Don Burnstick, will be back again to defend their title. Burnstick will also take some time away from his duties rink-side to perform for tournament goers.

This year's tournament will run from around 9 a.m. until about 10 p.m. daily. Burnstick's performance will take place on Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m., although the exact location of his performance hadn't been confirmed by press time.

The same weekend, and just a few miles away on Moosomin First Nation, another tournament will take place, this one featuring many players who once shone in the All Native hockey Tournament. The fifth annual Lawrence Weenie Cup will be held at the Moosomin Multi-Purpose Arena, giving Aboriginal players 35 and over a chance to show they still have what it takes to play the game.

The tournament is held each year in honour of the late Lawrence Weenie of Poundmaker First Nation. Also know as The Voice of Native Hockey, Weenie often worked as an announcer at hockey games across Saskatchewan. He also dedicated much of his time and efforts to providing Native youth with opportunities to get involved in sports.

One of the missions of the Lawrence Weenie Cup is to promote healthy lifestyles by giving older players a reason to stay active, said Milton Tootoosis, Weenie's son and one of the organizers of the annual tournament. He said he thinks his father would be smiling to see a tournament named in his honour where players 35 and older are staying active and competitive and keeping fit.

There will be 10 teams competing in the cup this year. While most of the teams have sponsors from Saskatchewan, they will be drawing players from B.C., and Alberta as well.

"It's like an all-star tournament," Tootoosis said. "An Aboriginal old-timers all-star tournament."

In past years the final of the Lawrence Weenie Cup has been held the same day and in the same location as the final for the All Native Hockey Tournament, and organizers of the two events are hoping that can happen again this year. There are usually around 2,000 people in attendance for the All Native Hockey final, and having a chance to play in front of a crowd that size is a thrill for the 35 and over players, Tootoosis said.

"You wouldn't believe how excited a lot of them get, especially the competitive ones. They love a crowd. They love an audience. Who doesn't? They've been former stars in the Native senior hockey circuit just a few years ago. They haven't played in front of a crowd for three or four years. They get excited about an opportunity to play. It's like somebody playing at Northlands Coliseum."

The Lawrence Weenie Cup will begin around noon on the Friday, with games all day Saturday and Sunday.

For more information about the All Native Hockey Tournament call Vince Sauvie or Jackie Kennedy at 445-8216. For more information about the Lawrence Weenie Cup, call Milton Tootoosis after 6 p.m. 771-4787 or e-mail him at milttootoosis@sasktel.net.