Mushkegowuk Cup in Timmins brings in hundreds of players for three-day hockey tournament
Approximately 750 hockey players, ages five to twenty-one, representing 16 First Nations communities from the James Bay Coast in northwestern Ontario to the Val-d'Or-area are in Timmins to celebrate their love of hockey.
"We’re definitely at least close to 2,500 people in total that come to the city," said Doug Cheechoo, chairman of Mushkegowuk Cup minor hockey.
"We fill all the hotels ... we keep this place busy ... and we shop. Whether it’s skidoos, vehicles, groceries we shop.”
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
The tournament began Friday and ends Sunday. This is the first time these communities have come together like this since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Organizers said getting it going again came with challenges, but said it's an exciting time for the players, coaches and families to get together and see one another again.
“It brings us together you know because we live in isolated First Nations that’s not accessible by road in the summer,” said Cheechoo.
“Only fly-in during the summer and spring so the winter road kinda connects us in the winter.”
This weekend is not just for the hockey players, it's also something their parents and grandparent enjoy, especially to see their young ones having fun.
Randal Courchene travelled from the Pic River First Nation to watch his son play for the Longlake 58 Generals this weekend.
“The friendship that is built, the camaraderie that goes a long in the young generation nowadays. It’s all about that," said Courchene.
Noreen Agnew from Long Lake 58 First Nation said she's cheering for the three teams from her community.
“It’s important for our kids to come together," said Agnew.
"We have different communities and playing and getting along, doing something productive, energetic and yeah something positive definitely.”
While hockey is played in the First Nations communities, the facilities needed to host a program like the one for the Mushkegowuk Cup do not exist. The McInyre Community Centre, the Mountjoy and Whitney Areas and the Archie Dillon Sportsplex in Timmins are all booked up for this event.
To stay up to date with the tournament’s games, visit their Facebook page.
Correction
A previous edition of the article listed that approximetely 75 players were participating in the tournment instead of 750.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Maple Leafs eliminated from NHL playoffs with Game 7 OT loss to Bruins
Sheldon Keefe told his players hockey history would remember them one way or another.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
What a judge's gag order on Trump means in his hush money case
A gag order bars Trump from commenting publicly on witnesses, jurors and some others connected to the matter. The New York judge already has found that Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee for president, repeatedly violated the order, fined him US$9,000 and warning that jail could follow if he doesn't comply.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Pro-Palestinian protesters at USC comply with school order to leave their encampment
Protesters left a pro-Palestinian encampment at the University of Southern California early Sunday after they were surrounded by police and told they could face arrest if they didn’t go.
Trudeau 'absolutely' best person to lead the Liberals in next election: LeBlanc says
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc insists he's not planning a leadership campaign to head the Liberal party, should current leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resign, seemingly quashing rumours he's planning to make a move for his boss' job.
Bombarded with spam texts? Stats show the problem is getting worse in Canada
In particular, messages that involve phishing — an attack where a scammer tries to trick the recipient into clicking a malicious link, downloading malware or sharing sensitive information — are on the rise.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.