Hockey month in Nunavut: Tournaments wrap up across territory
People travelled to local competitions around region in April
Two teams compete in the Tuugaalik Cup, which took place in Kugaaruk over the beginning of April. Throughout the month there were several hockey tournaments held across the territory. (Photo courtesy of Alex Ittimangmaq)
The onset of spring brought out the sticks and skates in numerous Nunavut communities.
Hockey tournaments held across Nunavut throughout April included the Qamutik Cup in Arctic Bay, the Tuugaalik Cup in Kugaaruk, both the Brian Twerdin Toonik Tyme Memorial and the youth Toonik Tyme tournament in Iqaluit, and the Sala Hockey Memorial in Baker Lake.
In Arctic Bay, the six-day Qamutik Cup wrapped up April 25.
“Their experience was great, from what I heard,” said Rex Willie, who assisted with the tournament.
Five teams competed, with the Arctic Bay Impact winning the championship.
The other teams were Pond Inlet, Igloolik, Sanirajak and the Arctic Bay North Stars.
The Arctic Bay hockey committee ran a fundraiser to ensure referees were paid, medals and plaques were purchased and the tournament could provide a pizza delivery to each team, Willie said.
To the west, teams from each region in the territory competed in the Tuugaalik Cup in Kugaaruk from March 30 to April 2.
“I can’t say it enough, it was a really great weekend of hockey,” said Alex Ittimangnaq, who helped organize the tournament.
“It’s been years since we had a hockey tournament held in Kugaaruk, so I think it was a good time for everyone.”
The Kugaaruk Raiders, Igloolik Knights, Kugaaruk Narwhalers, Taloyoak Trailblazers, Gjoa Haven Snowy Owls and Naujaat all participated.
Initially, the Tuugaalik Cup was awarded to the winning team from Kugaaruk’s local hockey league. This year, organizers expanded play and made it a tournament for multiple communities to participate in.
“It was really intense,” he said of the on-ice competition. “There were some really good games.”
Naujaat went undefeated in winning the tournament.
Ittimangnaq said it was also exciting to see a team from Igloolik as it’s not often that a team from the Baffin region gets the opportunity to play teams closer to Kugaaruk.
“It was a great fun event for everyone,” he said.
In Iqaluit, the Toonik Tyme hockey tournament was renamed the Brian Twerdin Toonik Tyme Hockey Memorial, to honour the memory of Twerdin who for years was heavily involved in the sport in Iqaluit.
It ran from April 13 to 16 with seven teams — Northern Guardian, R.L. Hanson, NuBrew, Canadrill and QPI from Iqaluit – as well as teams from Rankin Inlet and Pangnirtung.
Canadrill ended up winning the tournament championship.
For younger players in Iqaluit, a youth Toonik Tyme tournament ran from April 21 to 24.
Rankin Inlet, Pangnirtung and Kinngait sent teams in varying age groups. There were divisions for players under seven years of age, under-11, under-13, under-15 and under-18.
Meanwhile in Baker Lake, the Sala Hockey Memorial tournament was held from March 30 to April 2 to commemorate the life of Solomon ‘Sala’ Tulurialik, who died in 2019 at the age of 29.
There were seven teams in the tournament: Gjoa Haven, Grey Wolves, Juniors, Qamani’tuaq, Chesterfield Inlet, Arviat and Rankin Inlet. Rankin Inlet finished on top to take the title.
Tulurialik’s sister, Florence Nagyougalik, said the tournament was exciting and the crowds “were awesome.”
“My whole family was happy that my brother is still remembered even up to today,” she said.
“We look forward to seeing the next one.”
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