This weekend is the 12th Annual Mushkegowuk Cup and it’s being hosted in Timmins.

The Mushkegowuk Cup is a hockey tournament that will bring 52 teams from the Mushkegowuk First Nations and Quebec Cree Communities to the city of Timmins. With those teams comes their families and plenty of fans. It’s estimated that 2,500 hockey enthusiasts will converge in Timmins this weekend.

“A lot of people travel many many kilometers to get here,” said Grand Chief Jonathan Solomon, “and kids are having fun. I saw them at the hotel this morning with their hockey bags and with their parents and their coaches. It’s a fun weekend to meet old friends and make new friends.”

The Mushkegowuk Cup event has grown over the years. It started off as a small event in Mushkegowuk communities and has since grown to the major city event it is now.

“We started off hosting it in our communities back up north,” said Solomon, “but because of the number of teams that are taking part, accommodations became an issue. So the past leaders then decided, let’s move it to Timmins where we’ll have access to all the arenas and hotels.”

The event gives families and friends of the hockey players a chance to come together and have fun in our city.

“I know they’re tubing in Kamiskotia,” Solomon said, “and bowling in the bowling alley and going to the movies. And shopping, the most important part.”

Grand Chief Solomon says he’s looking forward to playing his part this weekend as a hockey fan.

“Well, just to see kids having fun, families having fun. Just to be part of it. I got my grandchildren that are taking part. And I’m looking forward to being a fan this weekend. And also just to meet people that I haven’t seen for a while.”

Hockey is a big game in the Mushkegowuk communities and it’s something that people of all ages take part in.

“Kids of all ages,” said Solomon, “even adults, even women are into it in our communities. It’s a big part of our communities up north.”

The economic impact the Mushkegowuk Cup has on the city of Timmins is also big.

“It’s significant that the city of Timmins is hosting it. It also helps the economy of the city of Timmins. I know all the hotels are all booked. And probably the restaurants, the taxi services. Everything. It has a major impact on the city of Timmins.”

Solomon says the weekend is all about having fun and supporting the players.

“People have fun, kids have fun on the ice for the love of the game. Let’s go out there and support our young ones.”

The 12th Annual Mushkegowuk Cup runs this weekend from Feb. 22nd-24th. For more information about the event, go here. 

Filed under: Local News