by (Whitehorse, YT) – More than 400 elite Indigenous athletes from across Canada hit the ice in Whitehorse today for the 2019 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC). Eighteen teams representing every region of the country are taking part in NAHC, which runs until May 12 at the Canada Games Centre and Takhini Arena. Regions participating, in both female and male divisions, include: Alberta, Atlantic, British Columbia, Eastern Door & North, Manitoba, New Brunswick, North, Ontario and Saskatchewan. Ten Yukon athletes and two Yukon coaches are participating in the NAHC as members of Team North, combined with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
“It’s taken a lot of hard work and many great community partnerships to make this event happen,” stated Michelle Dawson-Beattie, Chair of the 2019 NAHC.
“This is the first time that the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships have been held North of 60, so we’re really looking forward to showcasing the Yukon and sharing some of our incredible First Nations culture.”
Monday was the official practice day for all 18 teams. Game action kicks off with Atlantic versus Eastern Door & North in the female division at 8:00 am Tuesday. New Brunswick will take on Atlantic to open male division action at 8:15 am. The Opening Ceremony is scheduled for 8:00 pm Tuesday, followed by Team North versus Saskatchewan in the female division. “It is with great pride and pleasure to be bringing this incredible elite National Championships to the North for the first time in its history. Good Luck to all participants and the wonderful welcoming Hosts for a successful week,” said Jeff Spencer, Chair of the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships Working Group.
All games at NAHC will be streamed live by SportsCanada.TV and available across the country at no charge to viewers:
http://www.nahc2019.com/media/live-stream.
The event website will also feature detailed scoring and statistics. Rosters for the teams were still being finalized Monday and will be posted as soon as they are ready.
Tournament passes for the 2019 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors and youth, and are good for all games – including medal rounds. Kids five and under get in free. There will also be day passes sold at the door – $7 for
adults, $5 for seniors and youth. The 2018 National Championships were held in Membertou, Nova Scotia, where Manitoba and British Columbia claimed gold in female and male divisions, respectively.
For more information on the 2019 NAHC, visit www.nahc2019.com or follow along on the event social media channels:
Facebook: facebook.com/nahc2019
Twitter: @nahc2019
The 2019 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships are funded in part by Lotteries Yukon and the Yukon Government’s Community Development Fund.
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Echo Ross
Vice- Chair, Marketing
2019 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships
867-335-9145
nahc2019@gmail.com
