Nipissing Warriors hoping to have a blast at Little NHL

By Sam Laskaris

MISSISSAUGA – Melvin McLeod has some rather simple team goals at this week’s Little Native Hockey League tournament.

“We’re here for fun,” said McLeod, the head coach of the Nipissing Warriors boys’ Under-15 squad after its tournament-opening 6-0 loss to the Moose Cree Scrappers on Monday. “We’re here for the experience and for the kids to have a blast. That’s what it’s all about.”

The Warriors are one of 184 squads participating in this week’s tourney, which is often simply called the Little NHL.

Though the event is being staged at various rinks in Mississauga, Nipissing First Nation is hosting the tournament, which began Sunday, March 12, with opening ceremonies. Games commenced on Monday and will continue until Thursday, March 16.

This marks the first time in three years that the Little NHL, the largest Indigenous youth hockey tournament in Ontario, has been held.

The COVID-19 pandemic had forced the cancellation of the tournament in each of the past three years.

“It feels great to be back,” McLeod said after his team’s contest against Moose Cree, which was held at Iceland Arena, a four-pad complex. “This tournament is always fun. Kids have a blast here playing hockey with their cousins and friends they’ve seen in the past. The three-year hiatus has gotten everybody pretty excited to be back here.”

McLeod has been coaching in the tournament for 10 years now. Two of his sons are on the Warriors’ roster at this year’s event.

McLeod had originally hoped the Warriors would participate in a recreational division at the Little NHL, but tournament organizers switched the squad to the competitive category, which may be a challenge with the range of playing experience on the team.

The Warriors have eight rep players themselves, including goaltender Owen Lamothe, who plays at the AAA level with the Sudbury-based Nickel City Sons, and many who play in house league.

Despite surrendering a half dozen goals in the team’s first game against Moose Cree, Lamothe was clearly the standout performer on his squad.

“He was spectacular today,” McLeod said of his netminder. “We just gave him the MVP puck for the game. I was just telling the kids without him today, it would have been worse than 6-0.”

The Warriors are guaranteed to play four round-robin matches at the tourney.

“The teams are really strong up here (in the competitive division),” Lamothe said. “It’s way better than down (in the recreational division).”

Lamothe anticipates facing some formidable opponents this week.

“It’s a little harder,” he said. “But I think if we pull through in the next games, we’ll be good.”

Lamothe is actually playing up a year in this week’s tourney. He spent this season with the Sons’ Under 14 AAA squad.

Competing against older players is also a challenge he said.

“I know a lot of these players that I’m playing against because they’re all AAA players, but yeah, it’s really hard,” he said.

Like McLeod, Lamothe is not worried about the Warriors’ win-loss record this week.

“It’s fun,” he said about the purpose of the event. “It’s just to hang out with your buddies and play games. I like it. It’s one of my favourite tournaments.”