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Batchewana hosts meet-and-greet for Little NHL teams

Six teams from Batchewana First Nation will take to the ice as the Batchewana Thunderbirds — with brand-new 'old school' jerseys — for this year's Little Native Hockey League tournament

The excitement at Rankin Arena was palpable Thursday as players, coaches and parents got together during an informal meet-and-greet event for the six Batchewana Thunderbirds teams that will take to the ice in the 49th annual Little Native Hockey League tournament. 

Widely known as the Little NHL, the largest Indigenous hockey tournament in Ontario will see 184 teams and over 2,400 Indigenous youth representing more than 40 First Nations compete in Mississauga March 12-16. 

“We’re just having a little meet-and-greet — get everyone together, meet your players, your coaching staff — so everyone’s not strangers when we get down there. We’re all staying in the same hotel, so we gotta get used to everybody,” said Batchewana Thunderbirds coordinator Joe Sewell. 

Tables were set up for all six Batchewana Thunderbirds squads so parents could grab their children's hockey jerseys and some Batchewana swag.

Sewell credits the efforts of community members who help keep things running smoothly in preparation for a week of hockey down in southern Ontario. 

“I got a great coaching staff on each team we have here that help out too, so they participate — getting the names of the kids, the rosters ready,” he said. “It’s a team effort at Batchewana.”

This year's tournament is the first to be held since 2020 due to public health measures arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s pretty exciting for the kids, because it’s the first time in three years they’re gathering for Little NHL,” said Sewell. “The excitement’s back, I can just feel it already.”



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James Hopkin

About the Author: James Hopkin

James Hopkin is a reporter for SooToday in Sault Ste. Marie
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