InuvikSA国际影视传媒檚 Midnight Sun Complex was abuzz with activity on the weekend of Feb. 20-23 as the popular IRC Cup hockey tournament returned to the community for the 36th time.
"The rink was full all weekend," said Donald Hendrick, one of the organizers of the popular annual event. "It was a huge success."
The IRC Cup is considered "the biggest tournament in the NWT," according to Hendrick. This year, it lived up to that reputation with 13 teams registered. That included one team all the way from Gjoa Haven, Nunavut SA国际影视传媒� the Snowy Owls.
"[We've had] players coming from all over Canada," Hendrick said.
The teams were broken down into an A and a B division. The action was competitive throughout, but in the end, the Malena Selects won the A division with an undefeated run through the bracket. The B division title, meanwhile, went to the visiting Tuk Bulldogs, who won their championship game 4-3 in overtime with a dramatic penalty shot clincher scored by Max Kotokak Jr.
Kotokak's game-winning goal earned him the B division's most valuable player award. Malena Selects goaltender Greg Elias was named MVP for the A Division.
The IRC Cup wasn't just for the players, of course. The arena's bleachers were also full of hockey fans of all ages, including some youngsters who are counting down the days until they can suit up.
"The kids that watch cannot wait until they can play in this tournament," Hendrick said. "It is like the Stanley Cup of the North."
Hendrick admits planning the annual tournament requires an immense investment of time and energy from all of the organizers.
"Planning starts in early October as we need to line up the officials, along with booking their travel," he said. "[We also need to] make sure the Town of Inuvik has the weekend we would like to host the tournament [available]."
Despite the substantial effort, Hendrick is adamant that the work will continue to get done.
"This tournament will be an annual event for the years to come," he said.
