The Kivalliq Jr. Canucks program has come a long way since its beginnings in 2016 behind the efforts of Gleason Uppahuak of Arviat and David Clark of Rankin Inlet.

The Kivalliq Jr. Canucks midget squad (Under 18) will be travelling to Regina, Sask., to compete in the Oskana Cup from May 2-5.

The roster for the squad is comprised of Kadin Eetuk, Gregory Wiseman, Liam Tattuinee, Prime Paniyuk, Russell Matoo, Mark Kalluak, William Uppahuak, Darren Ikakhik Jr., Cam Kaludjak,

Ben Kusugak, Dexter Kalluak, Ryley Komakjuak, Keenan Uluqsi, Justin Eetuk and goalies Jimmy Ollie and Blake Kusugak. Gleason Uppahuak is the team manager, while Troy Aksalnik is head coach. Kevin Kalluak assistant coach and Wayne Kusugak is the assistant coach/trainer.

Uppahuak said the idea behind the Jr. Canucks program was to provide high-calibre players in the region with the opportunity to compete in major tournaments across the south.

He said the tournaments allow the Kivalliq players to experience good hockey at their level.

鈥淲ith the Jr. Canucks program, I was planning to manage Team Nunavut for the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship but it did not go as planned,鈥� said Uppahuak.

鈥淪o, my Plan B was to go to the Oskana Cup.

鈥淲e sent a team to this tournament a few years ago and we finished fifth out of 17 teams.鈥�

Uppahuak said the players on the midget squad have all played either AA or AAA hockey in the south this year.

He said going with these players made it a lot easier for him to quickly finalize his roster.

鈥淲e have high hopes for this team. About 80 per cent of the players on the team are returning to this tournament for at least the second time.

鈥淭o be honest, I鈥檓 expecting us to be at least in the top three at this year鈥檚 tournament.鈥�

Uppahuak said the team will have one chance to practice together on their way to the tournament.

The players will gather in Winnipeg on the Wednesday before the tournament for the practice, he said.

鈥淲ith David Clark out of town, we decided Troy (Aksalnik) was the best choice to lead this squad as coach. He鈥檚 been familiar with our program almost since day one.

鈥淭roy is highly respected by the players on the team and is a good choice to lead them in the Regina tournament.

鈥淥ne practice and we鈥檙e off, but these boys have been playing together for the past seven or eight years, so I鈥檓 not too worried about a bad start. They know what each other brings to the table.

鈥淲e鈥檙e really looking forward to competing in this tournament.鈥�