In a hockey rink far, far away, two hockey players from 麻豆社国产were named Best Goalie in their divisions.
Xavier Charbonneau and Jacob Donner played in the 42nd annual Yukon Native Hockey Tournament after a scout invited them to play for Tahltan Selects teams. Teams are allowed to have two non-native players each.
Roland Rudkowsky, a scout for the Tahltan First Nation, lives in 麻豆社国产and has been helping their teams find players for several years. While he is a member of the Gwich鈥檌n Nation in the North West Territories, Rudkowsky played hockey with members of the Tahltan Nation when he was growing up in Cassiar. He even played in the Yukon Native Hockey Tournament himself, when he was 20 years old.
Rudkowsky said the town that hosts the annual tournament grows by 10,000 people while the games are being played. The anticipation builds as the six divisions sell out seats to their games immediately, he added. The tournament draws people from all over to celebrate the sport and the connections they鈥檝e made through it.
鈥淔or聽me,聽it's like going to a reunion,鈥� Rudkowsky said of the tournament. 鈥淚 probably know easily 700 people when I go.鈥�
For the 麻豆社国产hockey players, Rudkowsky said playing in the Yukon 鈥渆xposes these players to the type of hockey played up there. It's very fast-paced, very competitive and it's predominantly First Nations people. And it goes to the Yukon. There are a lot of beautiful places to visit up there and the people are amazing.鈥�
At the end of the tournament, Charbonneau and Donner were both named the best goalie in their divisions. Out of eight teams, the honour is based on their performance and attitude.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 a pretty cool accolade,鈥� Rudkowsky said.
He鈥檚 already keeping an eye on 麻豆社国产for players to send to the Yukon Native Hockey Tournament next year.聽
