Little Native Hockey League facts for kids

The Little Native Hockey League (LNHL), also known as the Little NHL, is a huge yearly ice hockey tournament. It's for young First Nation players in Ontario, Canada. It's the biggest event of its kind!

History of the Little NHL

The Little Native Hockey League started in 1971. It was founded by Earl Abotossaway, former Chief Jim McGregor, James D. Debassiage, Reverend Leonard Self, and Norman Debassiage. They created the tournament with four main ideas in mind: education, citizenship, sportsmanship, and respect.

The very first tournament happened in Little Current on Manitoulin Island. This was during the Christmas break in 1971. It had seventeen teams and about 200 players. The tournament has grown a lot since then! The biggest Little NHL event was in 2018 in Mississauga. It brought together 209 teams and around 3,000 players.

About the Tournament

Who Runs the Little NHL?

The current acting president of the Little Native Hockey League is Patrick Wedaseh Madahbee. He is a member of the Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation. He took on this role after the previous president, Marian Jacko, stepped down for a short time. Marian Jacko is from Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory. She was chosen to join the Board of Directors for Hockey Canada in December 2022. She had been president of the Little NHL since December 2018. She is expected to return to the Little NHL after her time with Hockey Canada.

Where the Tournament is Held

First Nation communities in Ontario often host the Little NHL tournament. Many different First Nations have been hosts. Some of these include Aundeck Omni Kaning, Atikameksheng, Curve Lake, and Fort William. Other hosts have been Garden River, M'Chigeeng, Nipissing, and Sagamok. Also, Saugeen, Six Nations, Walpole Island, Wausauksing, Wiikwemkoong, and Whitefish River have hosted.

Why Big Cities Host Now

In the past, the tournament could be held in smaller towns. Places like those on Manitoulin Island or cities like Greater Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie hosted it. But the Little NHL has become so big! Now, only larger cities like Mississauga have enough ice rinks and hotels. These big cities can fit all the players, their families, and supporters. In 2018, Ontario Regional Chief Isadore Day explained this. He said that only cities the size of Mississauga or larger can handle the modern Little NHL.

How Teams Play: Divisions

Teams in the tournament are grouped by age and gender. The youngest age group is Under-7 (U7). This is for five and six-year-old players. This is the only group not separated by gender. Girls can play in boys' competitions. However, boys are not allowed to play in any girls' division.

All games are played on full ice hockey rinks. The only exception is the U7 level, which plays half-ice games. For boys, all age divisions have two levels of play: Competitive and Recreational.

Here are the age groups for boys and girls:

• U9 (ages 7 & 8)
• U11 (ages 9 & 10)
• U13 (ages 11 & 12)
• U15 (ages 13 & 14)
• U18 (ages 15–17)

Who Can Play?

To play in the tournament, every team must represent an Ontario First Nation. Players are expected to play for their own First Nation community. This is usually shown on their status card. There are a few exceptions. Players might use a residency option or get special permission from their First Nation. To be able to play, players must have one parent who is of Native birth and has a federal band number. Or, they can qualify by showing a legal paper proving their Native background.

Little NHL Hall of Fame

The Little NHL has a special Hall of Fame. It honors former players, people who helped build the tournament, and friends of the event.

Famous Players from the Little NHL

Hall of Fame Alumni

The Little NHL Hall of Fame has honored ten former players. These players went on to play hockey at a higher level. They also helped grow hockey in their communities. They continue to support the Little NHL Tournament. They are called "Alumni of the Little NHL."

• From 2006 (35th Anniversary):
  • Barry Hawk Tabobondung
  • Gerard Peltier
  • Ted Nolan

• From 2011 (40th Anniversary):
  • Kathryn Corbiere
  • Dave Avery
  • Jonathan Cheechoo

• From 2016 (45th Anniversary):
  • Maryanne Menefee
  • Kelly Babstock
  • Mervin Cheechoo
  • Chris Simon

Other Notable Players

Many other players who participated in the Little NHL have gone on to play high-level ice hockey. This includes playing in leagues like Junior B, Junior A/Tier II, and major junior leagues such as the OHL. Some have played in college leagues like NCAA and U Sports. Others have even played professionally in leagues like the AHL, NHL, and PHF.

Here are some of them:

• Reggie Leach
• Cody McCormick
• Brandon Montour
• Jordan Nolan
• Jason Simon