A banner year for the U18 Kivalliq Jr. Canucks was recognized by Nunavut's territorial sporting organization when Sport Nunavut named the squad its Team of the Year on Wednesday, Aug. 6.
The award will be officially presented to the team during an awards ceremony and banquet in Iqaluit on Oct. 4.
Troy Aksalnik, of Rankin Inlet, was head coach of the Jr. Canucks when they advanced all the way to the final of the Oskana Cup in Regina, Sask, in a highly-competitive tourney that ran from May 2 to 5, 2024, in Saskatchewan's capital.
Aksalnik said he was a little bit surprised to hear the news about the award.
He said the players deserve most of the credit for the distinction due to their outstanding play at the event.
"Gleason (Uppahuak) made the team and he asked me to coach," said Aksalnik. "I just stood behind the bench and did the best I could. It was quite the experience."
Aksalnik hasn't coached since the Oskana Cup, but is eyeing a possible return during the upcoming hockey season.
He said he recently joined the local minor hockey board and wouldn't be surprised if that led him back into coaching.
"The quality of play at the Oskana Cup was, probably, the best in the Western area. There were a lot of big kids in that tournament.
"I'll remember that tournament for a long time. Every time I see one of the kids who was on our team, I think of that tournament with a little smile.
"We had to play five games on the final day of the tournament and, to play that many games on one day, I was really surprised at how well the kids continued to play. You're going out there and people are trying to crush you every game; that took a lot of guts and determination by our kids to keep playing that well."
Aksalnik said the only time the games weren't stop clock was when one team was more than five goals ahead. He said the only time during the entire tournament the clock ran continuously against the Canucks was in the final when they just ran out of gas.
"I think you could say we won just by being in the final. I'll go to the banquet if I can, but I've already requested for two people to attend; Darren Ikakhik Jr. and his dad. I'm sure you're aware that Darren Jr. was diagnosed with cancer and he'll be up there to accept the award on our behalf, if he's able to go.
"We'll either have two or four seats at the banquet. So, if it's two, it's going to be the father and son and, if it's four, it will either be me or Gleason (Uppahuak) and we'll pick another player to go.
"Without Gleason making this team, we would never have went and it was a great experience for everyone, especially our players who played their hearts out. He (Uppahuak) really pays attention and knows the right players to pick for certain tournaments.
"He picks the team and then gives the coaches the rest of the responsibilities, but he shows up at all the events and goes to all the managers' meetings so we don't have to worry about stuff like that."
