2002 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships

The National Aboriginal Hockey tournament was a success down in Cornwall, Ontario. First Nations teams from Saskatchewan to New Brunswick competed in the 7 day tournament. The Akwesasne hosted the first ever National Aboriginal Hockey Championships. Two northern Ontario teams competed in the tournament. The Ontario North Males took the bronze medal as they defeated the Ontario South team, coached by Ted Nolan, by a score of 8-6. North came back from a 6-3 deficit and ended up winning the game by five straight third period goals. The Ontario Females lost in the bronze medal game to Saskatchewan by a score of 5-4. Both Northern Ontario teams ended up with a record of 2-3 in the round robin. Gold medal games were won by Manitoba for males and Ontario South Females. They defeated the Eastern Door male team and the Northern Quebec female team by a wide range. Four Northern Ontario players got chosen to participate in the National Aboriginal Training Camp which will be held in Thunder Bay, Ontario on July 2 through 8 of 2002. We all look forward to next year's tournament, as it will be bigger and better.