The Kivalliq Jr. Canucks program has come a long way since its beginnings in 2016 behind the efforts of Gleason Uppahuak of Arviat and David Clark of Rankin Inlet.

The Kivalliq Jr. Canucks midget squad (Under 18) will be travelling to Regina, Sask., to compete in the Oskana Cup from May 2-5.

The roster for the squad is comprised of Kadin Eetuk, Gregory Wiseman, Liam Tattuinee, Prime Paniyuk, Russell Matoo, Mark Kalluak, William Uppahuak, Darren Ikakhik Jr., Cam Kaludjak,

Ben Kusugak, Dexter Kalluak, Ryley Komakjuak, Keenan Uluqsi, Justin Eetuk and goalies Jimmy Ollie and Blake Kusugak. Gleason Uppahuak is the team manager, while Troy Aksalnik is head coach. Kevin Kalluak assistant coach and Wayne Kusugak is the assistant coach/trainer.

Uppahuak said the idea behind the Jr. Canucks program was to provide high-calibre players in the region with the opportunity to compete in major tournaments across the south.

He said the tournaments allow the Kivalliq players to experience good hockey at their level.

SA国际影视传媒淲ith the Jr. Canucks program, I was planning to manage Team Nunavut for the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship but it did not go as planned,SA国际影视传媒� said Uppahuak.

SA国际影视传媒淪o, my Plan B was to go to the Oskana Cup.

SA国际影视传媒淲e sent a team to this tournament a few years ago and we finished fifth out of 17 teams.SA国际影视传媒�

Uppahuak said the players on the midget squad have all played either AA or AAA hockey in the south this year.

He said going with these players made it a lot easier for him to quickly finalize his roster.

SA国际影视传媒淲e have high hopes for this team. About 80 per cent of the players on the team are returning to this tournament for at least the second time.

SA国际影视传媒淭o be honest, ISA国际影视传媒檓 expecting us to be at least in the top three at this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 tournament.SA国际影视传媒�

Uppahuak said the team will have one chance to practice together on their way to the tournament.

The players will gather in Winnipeg on the Wednesday before the tournament for the practice, he said.

SA国际影视传媒淲ith David Clark out of town, we decided Troy (Aksalnik) was the best choice to lead this squad as coach. HeSA国际影视传媒檚 been familiar with our program almost since day one.

SA国际影视传媒淭roy is highly respected by the players on the team and is a good choice to lead them in the Regina tournament.

SA国际影视传媒淥ne practice and weSA国际影视传媒檙e off, but these boys have been playing together for the past seven or eight years, so ISA国际影视传媒檓 not too worried about a bad start. They know what each other brings to the table.

SA国际影视传媒淲eSA国际影视传媒檙e really looking forward to competing in this tournament.SA国际影视传媒�