Curling bonspiel to be held in Winnipeg

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The eighth annual Aboriginal Mixed Curling Bonspiel will take place at the Granite Curling Club in Winnipeg March 30 to April 1. This year, the annual event is being dedicated to the memory of Charles Neepin, with the event being renamed the Chuck Neepin Memorial Bonspiel.

"Young Chuck Neepin was one of our best Aboriginal curlers in the province," said Norman Meade, president of the Aboriginal Curling League of Winnipeg. Neepin, who had been the league's curling instructor and trainer, died suddenly of cancer last fall.

A special presentation is planned for Saturday afternoon in Neepin's honor, and in recognition of his curling achievements. A country jamboree is also on Saturday's schedule. The finals will go Sunday afternoon, followed by awards presentations. Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Francis Flett is scheduled to present the trophy to the winning team, with Neepin's parents presenting the winners with their individual trophies.

Meade expects 48 teams will participate in the annual bonspiel. In past years, teams taking part have come from as far west as Prince Albert, Sask., as far east as Thunder Bay, Ont., and as far north as Churchill, Man.

"It's a good weekend of fun and good curling. Everybody enjoys it," Meade said.

Lumber Kings host All-Nations hockey tourney in Prince George.

The 17th Annual All-Nations Hockey Tournament is being hosted by the Lumber Kings Sports Club with more than $19,000 in prize money up for grabs. The tournament will take place April 6 to 8 at the Kin Centres in Prince George.

Teams wanting to take part in the tournament must have their entries in by April 1. A maximum of 60 teams can participate in the tournament and, as in past years, organizers expect to have no problem reaching that goal.

"We've had teams as far east as Ontario, right up to the Northwest Territories and Yukon. The vast majority are from western Canada through," said Harley Chingee, one of the event organizers.

On Saturday a skills competition will be held, with players competing to be named fastest skater, hardest shot or best goalie.

" 'A' division is pretty high calibre," Chingee said of this year's competition.

Chingee has some advice for people coming in from out of town to take in the tournament. Make room reservations ahead of time, because rooms fill up fast. For more information about the event, call Harley Chingee at 250-563-6356.

Hockey championships in Prince Albert:

First Nations hockey teams from across Saskatchewan will be on the ice in Prince Albert from April 6 to 8, taking part in the FSIN hockey championships.

The tournament will be held at the Communiplex, Dave Stuart and Kinsmen arenas.

The event is a four-division tournament, with senior men's, senior rec., old timers and ladies competitions.

Last year's championship saw eight teams competing in the seniors' contact division, 32 rec. tournament teams, 16 legend teams, and six ladies teams.

"It's good hockey, very good hockey," said Earl Cameron, co-ordinator of sports, culture recreation and youth with FSIN.