By Ian Stewart
News Reporter
The 31st Annual Yukon Native Hockey Tournament crowned its champions yesterday at the Takhini Arena, with the Nannock Warriors reclaiming the A-division title after placing third last year.
Nannock pummeled the Kluane/Alaska team in the final, 8-0, with goalie Brad Atkinson recording the shutout and taking the top goalie award for the tournament.
The winner of the five-team A division took home a $5000 prize as well, and second-place won $3000.
Nannock’s Brian Gleason was the tournament’s top scorer and Kluane’s Scott Michaels was named MVP. Nannock’s Billy McKay was named best defenceman.
The B-division final was also a blowout, with Fort MacPherson’s Gwich’in Flames scorching the Champagne Aishihik Storm by a score of 7-2.
The 14-team B-division final was definitely louder than the A-final, with a Fort MacPherson cheering section that raised the excitement level of the whole game.
The Gwich’in Flames goalie Andy Heerschap took the top goalie award, and teammate Dallas Jackson was named B-division MVP.
Top defenceman was Champagne Aishihik’s Scott Hume, and the top scorer was Kaska’s Justin Pauls.
It was an all-Old Crow final in the youth division, with the Gwitch’in Braves battling the Gwitch’in Gladiators.
The Braves won a 3-2 victory, with two goals from Kolin Kabanak and one from Daniel Moses.
The MVP for the youth division was the Gwitch’in Braves Kaleb Millwater, teammate Riley Pettitt took the scoring title, and Brave’s Bryne Weins took top goalie.
The top defenceman went to Gwitch’in Gladiators Matthew Moses, and the most inspirational player award went to the Dakwakada Storm’s Dylan McQuaig.
In the jamboree division, ages 14-17, the Tuya Tornadoes beat the Reel Cold Ice Dogs in the final, Tuya’s Bryden Cook taking the MVP nod, and Riley Tobin scoring the most points and Brad Gustafson took the top goalie award. Reel Cold’s Chris Vance took the top defenceman award.
In the oldtimers division, Inuvik’s High Speed Auto Flyers beat the Eagle Rock Flyers from Carmacks, and Inuvik’s Cal Wenghofer took the MVP award.
Junior Kuptana won the scoring title, and Tom Williams was the best goaltender.
Carmacks’ Bill Bohmer was named top defenceman.
Contact Ian Stewart at istewart@yukon-news.com