'Little NHL' hosts former Penguins' captain

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For 24 years, First Nations across Ontario have enjoyed watching and taking part in hockey, Canada's high-action, unofficial sport. Some Little NHLers have gone on to the big leagues ? the National, American and International hockey leagues ? but for those involved in the tournament, it is only those four days in March that matter.

This year, the Nipissing First Nation hosted the tournament. It was played in North Bay to accommodate the influx of players and fans. Fifty-seven teams competed during the 1995 tournament, for which people started booking hotel rooms a year in advance. Teams, with players ranging in age from four to 16, came from all across Ontario, including from Moose Factory on James Bay.

"The main purpose of the tournament is more like a get-together for the First Nations," explained Lloyd McGregor of Wikwemikong, Ont., one of the Little NHL organizing committee members. "It's a friendship and good sportsmanship tournament. As it's grown, it's become a more competitive tournament. The tournament is not there to make revenue. If there is some left over, it goes back to the community and it's up to them how to use it," he added.

The Little NHL has produced big-league players such as Ted Nolan, who was named as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres earlier this summer, and this year's guest of honor Dan Frawley, a former Pittsburgh Penguin and Little NHLer from Nipissing First Nation.

"For a Native child to see a Native who has gone on to the NHL, it brings up his desire and his will to try to make an NHL team," McGregor said. He explained that parents also benefit from meeting the stars.

"It's from one Native person to another ? they are quite pleased and I guess they get good advice. These players went through an awful lot when they had to leave their reserves to play; they are able to pass down their experience and advice to parents." He talked about parent helping their children prepare for the experience of leaving their close-knit communities. "They help encourage the children not to give up and to keep going on."

With 57 teams made up of between 15 and 20 players each, together with coaches, parents and family members all spending a week in North Bay, the tournament had plenty of positive offshoots for local business.

"We are glad that this organization chose our city for the tournament," says Dave Saad, manager of tourism and recreation for the City of North Bay. "We're working on establishing North Bay as a four-seasons recreational destination."

Saad estimated that the tournament would generate over $1 million worth of business for North Bay.

"It's nice to be able to bring the dollars into the community and to showcase the talents of these young athletes," he said. "We want to be able to show off our city to these people who are coming in from all across the province."

McGregor says there will be a major effort next year to get active NHLers to attend the tournament for 1996 will mark the event's 25th anniversary.