STEPHENVILLE - The Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Circle Newfoundland and Labrador (ASRCNL) will have a team competing at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.
Staff, coaches and athletes have been selected to represent the province at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) being held in Sault Ste Marie, Ont. April 27 to May 3.
This team has been selected from two assessment camps in January of this year provided by the ASRCNL, including one in Sheshatshui, Labrador and the other in Stephenville, which were held to identify midget-age aboriginal hockey players.
The goal of the ASRCNL is to provide the opportunity for young aboriginal athletes from our province to attend these championships and demonstrate their skills and spirit before a national audience.
However, the ASRCNL has no finances to cover the teams travel expenses to Sault Ste. Marie, so the team is currently working hard to raise finances to cover their travel costs.
The coaches and staff were selected by the ASRCNL board of directors at a board meeting in February held in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.
The coaching staff includes general manager Valerie Courtois of Happy Valley-Goose Bay, head coach Dave McFatridge of the Stephenville Minor Hockey Association, assistant coach Tom Gear of Lake Melville Extreme Minor Hockey, assistant coach Eli White of the Stephenville Minor Hockey Association and trainer Randy Ford of Lake Melville Extreme Minor Hockey.
Players on the team from Labrador include Atshapi Andrew of Sheshatshui, a forward with the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League; Nikashantess Penashue, a forward with the Avalon Minor Hockey Association; Takan (Anthony) Antuan, a forward with Lake Melville Extreme Minor Hockey; and Happy Valley-Goose Bay players defenceman Kilabuk Qupee, forward Jeremy McLean, forward/defence TJ Gear, defence Clint Gear and goaltender Jeremy Andersen.
From Nain, Labrador of the Torngat Mountain Minor Hockey system are: Julius Pijogge (forward), Russell Barbour (forward/defence); Antone Harris (forward) and Brian Flowers (goalie), all of Nain and members of the Torngat Minor Hockey Association, were also named to the team.
Players representing the Stephenville minor hockey system include Stephenville residents forward Josh White and forward Patrick Alexander, Lourdes native forward Evan Bullen, Stephenville Crossing's forward Robinson McFatridge and forward Johnny Louvelle, and defenceman Lukas Chaisson of Cape St. George's.
Players suiting up from St. George's include defenceman Owen Bennett, forward Garreth Bennett, defenceman Lyle White, forward James Cutler, forward Josh Pierce and goaltender Cody Blanchard.
This will be the first time a team from the aboriginal communities of Newfoundland and Labrador will represent the province at the National Aboriginal Midget Hockey Championships, an event sanctioned by Aboriginal Sport Circle of Canada. The coaches, staff and players are proud to represent the aboriginal population of this province at this national event.
The championships will be televised on APTN. Anyone with questions regarding this team, or wishing to make a contribution or become a sponsor can contact Valerie Courtois at [email protected] or one of the ASRCNL offices.
Newfoundland and Labrador sending team to National Aboriginal Hockey Championships for first time
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