Selkirk Bears win Yukon Native Hockey Tournament in event's biggest year yet
Coach says whole community shares the win
The Selkirk Bears took top prize over the 58 other teams competing in the Yukon Native Hockey Tournament.
The tournament, one of the biggest sporting events in Yukon, brings together teams and players from across the Yukon, N.W.T., B.C. and Alberta. The 4-day event saw the most teams ever to play in the tournament's 45 years with the Whitehorse Takhini Arena at capacity.
The Selkirk Bears played the LJ's Sabres in the finals Sunday winning 3-0. Selkirk coach Kevin McGinty, former chief of central Yukon community, said the team's win is a win for the whole community.
"[I'm] very proud for our community for supporting and keeping hockey as one of our key cogs in our community and this is going to be huge for our community and the young kids coming up," McGinty said.
"We lost a few times over the years and it builds character, so finally getting to this point is really exciting."
McGinty said he knew coming into the tournament that the team would be a strong contender for the top spot. Part of that is because former professional hockey player Andrew Ference laced up his skates to play with the Bears during the tournament.
Ference has played with the Edmonton Oilers, the Calgary Flames, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Boston Bruins — who won the Stanley Cup in 2011.
"They've been so welcoming, just an incredible time, good group of people," said Ference.
"Such pride and such passion goes into this tournament so I feel very honoured to be a part of it."
With files from Caitrin Pilkington