Fred Sasakmoose "Chief Thunderstick" National Hockey Championship draws Indigenous talent from across Canada
CTV
Forty hockey teams from every corner of the country are in Saskatoon. Once again competing in the Fred Sasakamoose "Chief Thunderstick" National Hockey Championship.
Forty hockey teams from every corner of the country are in Saskatoon. Once again competing in the Fred Sasakamoose "Chief Thunderstick" National Hockey Championship.
As the legend of the four-day tournament continues to grow, the event has come to symbolize major pride for its many competitors.
"This one is about bragging rights. It's everybody's pride, everybody's community," Six Nations Ironmen forward Ryan Davis said prior to taking the ice Sunday.
"We're no different."
For organizer Neil Sasakamoose, he's most proud of bringing hundreds of athletes and their fans to Saskatoon for four days of intense competition, and memories to last a lifetime, all in honour of his father, the late Fred Sasakamoose -- one of the first Indigenous men to play in the National Hockey League (NHL).
"It's all for my dad. My dad's wish was not to get forgotten, so we keep his memory alive," he said. "So people come from all over the place to play and compete, to meet each other, but lots of people come here to remember Fred."
With this year being the sixth consecutive tournament, the popularity continues to increase. Neil feels he's getting closer to accomplishing his father's wishes each spring.
