Manitoba group excited to host NAHC next year

The 2009 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC) are still more than half a year away.
But Darryl Bauer doesn't mind making a rather bold prediction for the tournament, which will be staged in Winnipeg next May.
"It's going to be the best one yet," said Bauer, who was the bid committee chairman for the Manitoba group that was awarded the hosting rights for the 2009 NAHC.
Traditionally the site for the NAHC is announced at the tournament the preceding year. But there was no announcement made at this year's event in late April and early May, which was hosted by the Garden River First Nation near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
Instead, officials from the Aboriginal Sport Circle (ASC), which help organize the tournament, announced they were extending the bid submission deadline until the end of May.
Bauer said his group opted to submit a bid following this announcement. But they didn't have quite as much work to do to get a bid ready.
"We put in a bid the previous year," Bauer said. "So we already had a general plan in place."
Bauer added during the past six years, Manitoba had submitted a total of either three or four bids to host the nationals. This marks the first time they were given hosting rights.
"It's quite an honour," he said. "We're quite excited about it."
The majority of the tournament games will be staged at the Max Bell Centre, located at the University of Manitoba.
Aside from the Manitoba Aboriginal Sport and Recreation Council, there will be several other groups that will help co-host the national tournament. This list includes the Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, Manitoba Métis Federation, Keewatin Tribal Council and the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation.
The NAHC has run each year since 2002. Bauer believes his group will earn rave reviews after all is said and done.
"I think what will set us aside from the others will be the services that we will be providing for the teams and fans," he said.
Bauer said his organization will be able to provide either free or discounted meal coupons to participating players. And they will also be able to get a reduction on their accommodation expenses.
"We're getting a lot of corporate support," Bauer said.
The NAHC is considered the top Aboriginal tournament in the country, featuring bantam and midget aged players, both female and male.
Usually, both divisions attract anywhere from 7-10 teams, representing different provinces or regions in the country.
It's uncertain how many squads will take part at the 2009 tournament as the team registration deadline is not until Nov. 15.
In part because they will be competing on home ice, Bauer, who served as the manager of the Manitoba boys' team the past four years, expects both clubs from his province to fare well at next year's tourney. Neither team managed to win a medal at this year's NAHC.
"We had a lot of skill development camps and identification camps during the summer time," he said.
The nucleus of the Manitoba girls' team has already been selected. And the club is already competing in a league and will continue to do so throughout the winter.
"I really think the girls have a good shot," he said. "I see them going all the way."
And although the Manitoba boys' roster is not expected to be announced until after Christmas, Bauer said the side will feature many talented players.
"They have a good coaching staff in place," he said. "And they've done a good job at recruiting players and identifying them."