Tourney's success sparks expansion discussions

The third annual First Nations Cup was staged Dec. 16 to 18, 2005 in this northern city, and following on another successful year of men's hockey, organizers have voiced their lofty aspirations for the tournament.
"Our goal is to grow on a national scale," said Greg Hopf, a First Nations Cup director. "Our goal in three to five years is to be one of the biggest tournaments in Canada."

The recent event attracted a total of 14 teams. Eight squads took part in the senior men's category, which featured players 17 and over. And an additional six clubs competed in the masters division, restricted to those 35 and over.

"It was a huge success, for all of the north, especially the Northwest Territories," Hopf said.
Organizers had expected about 1,000 spectators during the course of the tournament and were delighted that 2,000 people came out to watch the action.

It marked the first time teams from outside the Northwest Territories took part. A pair of clubs from Alberta were among those that participated in the senior men's division. The Fort Simpson Thunder won in that category. The Thunder beat the Fort Providence Bulls 10-6 in the championship match.

The Bulls' roster included defenceman Clayton Norris, one of the former professional hockey players that competed in the tournament.

Though he was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 1991, Norris never played in the NHL. He did, however, toil for various squads in the minor pro ranks in the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League and the defunct International Hockey League.

Norris concluded his pro playing days by spending three seasons in England.

Besides playing in the tournament, Norris also ran a coaches clinic held in conjunction with the event.
Former NHL player and coach Ted Nolan had operated the clinic at the 2004 tournament, but was not available to return to this year as he is now coaching the Moncton Wildcats in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Another former pro who competed in the tournament was Brent Dodginghorse. After spending his junior days with the Western Hockey League's Calgary Hitmen, Dodginghorse played two seasons of pro in the East Coast Hockey League, suiting up for the Johnstown Chiefs and Pensacola Ice Pilots.

At the First Nations Cup, Dodginghorse played for the Gw'ichin Flames, a squad based out of Fort McPherson, N.W.T.

As for the masters' division, the East Three Rebels defended their crown by thumping the Diavik Denes 9-2 in their gold-medal contest. The Diavik club was a combined squad of players from Fort Resolution and Lutselke.

Hopf said organizers realize what they have to do to make their tournament even more attractive to clubs outside the Northwest Territories.

"It's so tough for teams to get up here," he said. "We're going to have to increase our prize money. Give us a few years and we should be able to do that."

At this year's event the total prize purse was $18,000. The winning teams in both divisions took home $4,000 each. Both squads also received a free entry (worth $1,000) into next year's tournament.