Little NHL Tournament announces the City of Mississauga as Host City for the next five years
MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO (October 17, 2016)–The Little Native Hockey League (LNHL) announced today, the City of Mississauga will host the Little NHL tournament for the next five years starting in 2017. The tournament is an annual event that has taken place over the last 45 years.
“It is with great anticipation and excitement that the Little Native Hockey League selects the City of Mississauga to be the host city for the next five years. This history making agreement will start with the host community of Moose Cree in 2017 and the Little NHL Executive planning its 50th anniversary celebration in 2021,” said Debbie Debassige, President Little Native Hockey League.
The next tournament is set to take place March 12 to 16 in Mississauga hosted by the Moose Cree First Nation.
“On behalf of the City of Mississauga and Members of Council, let me say how truly pleased we are to host the Little Native Hockey League Tournament for years to come,” said City of Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “We’re excited to play a continued role in the development of this outstanding event which mentors and nurtures young hockey players. We’re committed to providing the best experience for the thousands of players and families who will come to stay and play in our city.”
The Little Native Hockey League tournament is an annual event. The tournament begins with opening ceremonies and includes four days of competition concluding with the championship game. The pillars of the Little NHL are Sportsmanship, Education, Citizenship and Respect.
“The hospitality community is excited to welcome the players, families and officials of the Little Native Hockey League and we are honoured that this important amateur sport program has chosen a five-year partnership with the City of Mississauga and Tourism Toronto,” said Johanne Bélanger, President and CEO of Tourism Toronto.
The first tournament was held in 1971 in Espanola, Ontario. It had 17 teams participating and a modest 200 players. In 2016, more than 194 teams participated, representing First Nations from across Ontario.
“The announcement made today of the City’s ongoing support and commitment is both exciting and great news,” said Grand Council Chief Madahbee. “As an active member of the Little NHL since its inception 47 years ago, I look forward to seeing continued improvements to the tournament, led by our first female Little NHL President, Debbie Debassige. Debbie has volunteered endlessly to the Little NHL for many years and under her leadership, along with the additional female board members, there is sure to be many fresh new approaches to this wonderful tournament. The tournament has already seen the immediate possibilities with the expansion of the girls division.”
“It’s a new era for the Little NHL. We are proud that that we have our first female President of the Little NHL in Debbie Debassige. There is also the addition of four new members Lawrence Enosse, Tracy Hanzlik, Alisha Anderson and Marion Jacko. With the passing of our elder George Francis we have appointed Paul Williams as our Elder,” said Executive Member Chico Ralph. “After 45 years of the tournament this is our first five-year agreement and pleased that it is with the City of Mississauga.”
“The Little NHL Tournament has created countless memories everlasting new and old friendships from our First Nations all across Ontario,” said Past President of the Little NHL Marvin Assinewai. “This is a family event where many of these families travel every year to watch our future play the game we love.”
Debassige explained, “The Little NHL is more than a hockey tournament, it is a gathering of players, parents, families, friends and communities coming together to celebrate one of our traditional games – hockey. We get together in arenas and watch each other’s children and grandchildren play. Stories are always being told about great games that have happened in the past and many players from the first tournament still make an effort to come watch these games year after year.
“As we move forward, the Little NHL Executive is committed to working together with the City of Mississauga and host First Nations communities to continue to make this tournament a success. We are proud of our First Nations Members and Chiefs across Ontario who continue to support this annual tournament. As a Committee, we will strive to carry on the tradition and goal of the Little NHL Founding Fathers.”
Background
Little Native Hockey League (Little NHL) tournament was begun by five very special people who wanted to start a tournament for First Nation Youth:
- Earl Abotossaway
- former Chief Jim McGregor
- the late James D. Debassige
- the late Reverend Leonard Self
- the late Norman Debassige
Their collective dreams became a reality when they held their first tournament during the Christmas break in 1971.
Each year, the tournament gets bigger and better. It is not uncommon to find many dignitaries and former players who have continued to play in leagues as high as the National Hockey League (NHL) dropping in to watch the games, talk to the players and sign autographs.
Many First Nation communities have hosted the tournament over the 44 year history including:
- Aundeck Omni Kaning
- Curve Lake
- Dokis
- Fort William
- Garden River
- M’Chigeeng
- Nipissing
- Sagamok
- Saugeen
- Six Nations
- Walpole Island
- Wausauksing
- Wikwemikong
- Whitefish Lake
- Whitefish River
The annual tournament starts with Opening Ceremonies on Sunday evening and the Hockey games begin Monday with Championships on Thursday.
There is also a girls division that keeps growing every year. Many of the girls who have graduated from this tournament have moved on to university hockey. Some have even played in the Provincial Women’s Hockey League (PWHL).