The 44th annual Kilrich Yukon Native Hockey Tournament in 2024. Photo Courtesy of Tom Patrick, Star Flower Photography.
Whitehorse, YT – This year’s Kilrich Native Hockey Tournament marks the first one under a new set of rules aimed at boosting the competition.
The biggest change is in the A division, which was opened earlier this year to allow more high-level players, including former professionals. In a previous interview with CKRW, tournament coordinator Karee Vallevand, says the changes are meant to attract more teams while still giving local athletes a chance to compete.
“The main goal of this was just to open up the A division and get a higher caliber of player only, because we’ve only been getting, like three or four teams in the last two years,” said Vallevand.
There are 59 teams in all divisions at this year’s tournament from across Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and British Columbia. They will be competing over four days at the Canada Games Centre and the Takhini Arena.
The tournament also includes cultural ceremonies led by Yukon First Nations and a public display of the Stanley Cup at the CGC on Saturday.
