Wiikwemkoong awarded hosting rights for Little NHL for next two years

By Sam Laskaris

MARKHAM – Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory will host both the 2026 and 2027 Little NHL tournaments.

The announcement was made on Sunday, March 9, at the Angus Glen Community Centre in Markham, during the opening ceremonies of this year’s Little NHL tourney.

This marks the 51st running of the event, which has become the largest Indigenous youth hockey tournament in Ontario.

A record number of 276 clubs from across the province are participating in this year’s event. About 700 games will be staged throughout the week.

Matches began on Sunday and will continue until Thursday, March 13. The majority of the contests will be held in Markham, but arenas in nearby communities are also being utilized.

“This is going to be a fantastic event,” Ogimaa Tim Ominika of Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory said of the two coming years that his community will host the tourney. “It’s always been a fantastic event.”

The 2025 Little NHL is being hosted by the Chippewa Tri-Council, which consists of Chippewas of Rama First Nation, Georgina Island First Nation, and Beausoleil First Nation.

“Next year when we host, we are going to get so much help from the executive’s leadership and our volunteers,” Ominika said.

Markham has served as the main centre of the Little NHL last year and this year as well. And it will also be the site for most of the matches when Wiikwemkoong hosts next year and in 2027.

The Little NHL was first held in 1971 in Little Current, the largest town on Manitoulin Island.

During its early years, the tourney was staged in various smaller communities throughout the province. But as it grew, the event had to be moved to larger cities because centres with several arenas were required to host all the games.

Plus, organizers had to consider locations in the province that had enough hotels and restaurants to accommodate all of the participants as well as their families and supporters.

Chico Ralf, the president of the Little NHL executive, is thrilled at just how much the tournament has grown.

The previous record for the number of participating clubs had been set last year when 245 teams took part, that mark was shattered this year.

“To me, that’s unbelievable,” Ralf said of the number of competing squads this year, which includes a record 48 girls’ teams. “It’s all thanks to all the member communities.”

About 100 First Nations from across Ontario have sent representatives to this week’s tournament.

“It’s very humbling to see all of our people coming together and smiling,” Ralf said.

Both recreational and competitive divisions are being featured at this year’s event. There’s a total of 15 categories ranging from the Under-7 grouping up to Under-18 female and male divisions.

“Every player that steps on to the ice is a true champion,” Ralf added.

Meanwhile, Reggie Leach, a former Stanley Cup champion and a huge supporter of the Little NHL, received a prestigious honour on Sunday during the Little NHL Appreciation Reception.

Leach, a member of the Philadelphia Flyers when they won the Stanley Cup in 1975, was presented with a King Charles III Coronation Medal, in part for his advocacy of Indigenous youth.

Since retiring from hockey, Leach, who has lived in Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation on Manitoulin Island for the past 19 years, has spent a good chunk of his time as a motivational speaker, doing his best to help Indigenous youth make positive life choices.

“I don’t do this to get awards,” Leach said. “It’s nice to have but it’s unnecessary for me. But I’m grateful for people to recognize the stuff I have been doing over the years.”