A hockey team from Coral Harbour, Nunavut, won gold in Rankin Inlet this past weekend, despite not having access to an arena to practise in all season.
Not only did the U15 team take the championship at the annual Rock Cup tournament, they also managed to do it undefeated throughout the weekend.
“We’re very serious about hockey and it just felt amazing to see hard work paying off,” said coach Lenny Emiktowt.
Not having ice to practise on wasn’t the only challenge the team had to overcome.
Their plane was delayed by a blizzard, meaning players had to hit the ice directly after their plane landed in Rankin Inlet on Saturday. They were originally supposed to arrive last Thursday.
Emiktowt said the team’s hard work and dedication was impressive to watch.
“Obviously having no rink quite concerning for some of the youth or the whole community. Hockey, it plays a huge part in our mental health and our lives here,” he said.
He said he said despite the team’s challenges, he wasn’t surprised they came out on top.
“They were determined to win,” he said. “I’m a little bit emotional. It’s not easy here when there’s nothing to do.”
Some players did practise on a small lake in the community, but that’s only when it was cleared of snow.
Arena still closed
Coral Harbour’s arena has been closed all winter over fire and safety inspection issues.
“I hope it gets attention for the rest of the territory to help us out,” Emiktowt said.
Emiktowt added they’re still waiting to hear from the hamlet about when the arena will reopen.
Last fall, Community and Government Services Minister David Joanasie told the Legislative Assembly that the government is trying to work with the hamlet to fix the issues.
“With the involvement of inspectors and the requirement of the Office of the Fire Marshal to conduct an inspection, the safety codes will be followed in moving forward with the necessary renovations,” Joanasie said.
Three weeks before the tournament, the team prepared by practising in the school gymnasium and working out in the weight room.
“The boys showed up every practice. They put in all the work,” Emiktowt said.
“We said, you know how to play hockey, all we’re going to do is get you in shape,” he said.
Three of the 15 players on Coral Harbour’s team will represent Nunavut at the upcoming Arctic Winter Games in Alaska.
“The future is bright for those young boys,” Emiktowt said. “To everyone out there who wants to succeed, just put in the hard work, grind it out.”
Source link