Record-breaking number of teams to participate in Little NHL tournament

A record number of 245 clubs are participating in the Little Native Hockey League tournament this week.

The event, which is often simply called the Little NHL, has become the largest Indigenous youth hockey tournament in Ontario. It is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.

About 4,000 players, ages four to 17, will compete in the event in various age groupings. Both recreational and competitive divisions will be staged.

The tournament, which begins March 11 and continues until March 14, will feature a total of 574 games.

Matches will be primarily held in the city of Markham, located just north of Toronto. A total of 12 rinks will be utilized during the tourney, including rinks in nearby Stouffville and Richmond Hill.

Chico Ralf, the acting president of the Little NHL executive, said he wondered if this day would ever come.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Ralf, who has been named as the tourney’s acting president since Marian Jacko took a leave of absence from her presidency since her appointment to Hockey Canada’s board of directors.

“I never thought we’d take it to 50 years. Even when we hit 25 years I was always hoping it would keep going on. But I didn’t know if we’d make it.”

The Little NHL was cancelled for three consecutive years from 2020 through 2022 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The event returned last year and attracted 184 participating clubs.

Ralf is obviously pleased to have a record number of entrants this year.

“I was worried because of the pandemic, because you never know what the future holds,” he said. “COVID did have a big impact on hockey. I know most of the associations’ numbers are down. But I am pleased to see that our teams have stepped up and want to be a part of this tournament.”

Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti is thrilled the tournament, first held in 1971, is being staged in his city.

“We’re so excited that Markham council proclaimed March as Little Native Hockey League Month,” Scarpitti said on March 10 during the opening ceremonies of the tournament held at the Markham Civic Centre.

“We are so incredibly honoured to welcome and host this pre-eminent event in Indigenous youth hockey in Ontario as we welcome players from across the province to participate in this momentous gathering.”

As well as the record number of teams taking part in the tourney’s golden anniversary, another record is being broken this year. A total of 38 girls’ teams – the most ever – are among those taking part. During the tournament’s inaugural year in Little Current, a total of 17 boys’ squads only took part.

“As mayor, I pay tribute to the founders of this tournament, all of the current and past Little Native Hockey League presidents and board of directors for the 50 tournaments, but also for the incredible positive impact this tournament has had on tens of thousands of Indigenous youth that will last much longer than 50 years but for generations to come,” Scarpitti said.

Scarpitti said the Little NHL will not only help the city celebrate Indigenous youth and the game of hockey, “but it also builds on the city of Markham’s ongoing commitment towards truth and reconciliation,” he said.

Markham has a formal partnership with Eabametoong First Nation, located in northern Ontario, which includes a framework to learn from each other and to support each other.

Scarpitti said a Markham youth spearheaded a recent hockey equipment drive and because of that the First Nation was able to ice its first girls’ team this year.

“We also play tribute to Indigenous people by naming our newest community centre the Aaniin Community Centre (and Library),” he said. Aaniin is the Ojibway word for hello or welcome.

The name Aaniin was chosen to represent Markham’s diverse communities. The centre opened in 2017 during Canada’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

Scarpitti said that the theme of this year’s Little NHL is Honouring The Water.

“And we share that sincere hope that beyond the action taking place on the ice, we are reminded of the collective responsibility to protect and care for this sacred resource,” he said.

“As it has been said, water is the sustainer of life. It’s energy. And if water is the sustainer of life, then our youth are the fountain of hope. Hope for a brighter and just world.”

Scarpitti also had a message for tournament participants.

“We believe in you,” he said. “We have faith in you. And that’s why this tournament is so important. Through its pillars of citizenship, education, respect and sportsmanship, we know it we will create the future each and every one of them deserves.”

Local Journalism Initiative Reporters are supported by a financial contribution made by the Government of Canada.