Hockey Canada visits Ungava Bay community

Nearly 100 players from Tasiujaq and Aupaluk, aged 6-18, participated in Hockey Canada’s skills camp held in Tasiujaq Nov. 19 and 20. Here, both communities’ Atom and Peewee players pose with their parents and coaches. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NYHDP)

Young hockey players in Tasiujaq were suited up and ready to hit the ice long before their instructors were due to arrive at the community’s arena last weekend.

The players were waiting on Joe Juneau, head of the Nunavik Youth Hockey Development Program and instructors from Hockey Canada, who were to hold a skills camp in the Ungava Bay community Nov. 19 to 20.

“They were very excited,” said local hockey trainer Matthew Berthe, who is also the regional coordinator for the NYHDP. “They’ve never had anyone from Hockey Canada visit their community before.”

In 2006, Juneau launched a grassroots hockey program in Nunavik, using the sport as a tool to show youth the importance of education, develop leadership, introduce them to a healthy lifestyle and prevent criminality throughout Nunavik.

It’s the fourth year that Hockey Canada has teamed up with that hockey program, now starting its sixth season, to bring the camp to young hockey players in the region.

This year, the camp was hosted for about 70 local players in Tasiujaq, while another 20 players flew in from neighbouring Aupaluk.

Hockey-playing youth aged six to 18 were invited to participate in the two-day skills camp, so long as they attend school full-time.

Players were divided into three groups for the on-ice sessions; one combined Pre-Novice and Novice level players, another with Atom and Peewee and the oldest group was made up of Bantam and Midget players.

The students learned how to shoot, pass and improve their game, but Berthe said the sessions were “mostly to have fun.”

In addition to the 90 participants, hockey trainers and teachers accompanied the students from Aupaluk to the weekend camp, while local parents filled the arena’s stands.

“It was really nice to see the parents come out and support their kids,” Berthe said.

Students also took home souvenirs from the weekend camp — a Hockey Canada jersey, water bottle and bracelet.

NYHDP’s Joe Juneau said the skills camp always brings a buzz to the community it’s held in – and Tasiujaq was no exception.

“These training camps….are used to create an additional incentive for youth participating in the NYHDP,” he said. “The annual event is becoming very popular over the years as all of the players and parents get very excited, and that the quality of the trainers does not disappoint either.”

Hockey Canada instructor Ludovic Lord, right, helps a young hockey player with his skating skills in Tasiujaq last weekend. (PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NYHDP)