Northern Ont. hockey team takes helicopter, train and truck to play
Hockey tournaments look a bit different for the Moose River Attack than they do for most minor hockey teams.
Just this weekend, the team of nine and ten year olds from the James Bay Coast, including Moose Cree, Moose Cree First Nation, Moosonee and Moose Factory, travelled by helicopter, then train and then in the car to get to a tournament in New Liskeard.The player's view of Moose Cree First Nation from their helicopter on the first leg of their journey to a Cochrane hockey tournament. (Photo courtesy of Brenden Biedermann)“It’s a two mile helicopter ride and that takes three or four minutes," said Brenden Biedermann, the coach of the team.
"From there, we go to the train station, ride on the train for five hours. Then we get to Cochrane, that’s where we connect to the rest of the country via road I guess… New Liskeard from Cochrane it’s about a two hour drive."
The team has also travelled to Timmins and Sudbury this season.Moose River Attack players on their journey to a hockey tournament. (Photo courtesy of Brenden Biedermann)What is usually a two to three day tournament turns into a five day get away for the Attack, adding quite a few more expenses to the trip.
“We’re having to spend two extra nights in a hotel room, that’s two extra days of eating out," said Biedermann.
"For our team, we spent an additional $1,300 on the helicopter and another $1,300 on the train. So, just to go to a tournament costs us an extra $2,600 and that doesn’t include the hotel rooms."A helicopter pilot preparing to transport young hockey players from the James Bay Coast on step closer to their next game. (Photo courtesy of Brenden Biedermann)While travelling for tournaments is one thing, the team also has to get creative when finding ways to get to practice.
“Before all the ice and snow came, we were travelling with a frontier canoe across the river," the coach said.
"Next week, we are going to use a snow machine. We will load up the ski-doo here, with the toboggan, put my daughter on, I’ll drive and go over to have a practice with her teammates.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.