The ‘Price of Gold’ is getting higher these days especially after the World Junior Champion-ships in Sweden. It was a moment to be very proud of as Carey Price of the Ulkatcho First Nation put pure gold around his neck as he lead Canada to it’s third straight championship.

CAREY PRICE BACKSTOPS CANADA TO GOLD

Leksand, SWEDEN - The world junior hockey championship has made another hero out of a Canadian goaltender, and he is an aboriginal from British Columbia. Carey’s mom, Lydia, is the Chief of the Ulkatcho First Nation.

Carey Price hoists the World Junior Championship trophy after Canada claimed gold.

Carey Price was voted the tournament MVP and chosen the top goaltender by the International Ice Hockey Federation after the 19-year-old from Anahim, Lake, BC, backstopped Canada to a gold medal in a 4-2 win over Russia in the championship game. He was also selected to the All-star team.

Price faced more shots and was challenged more, however, and was rewarded for his efforts in a third straight gold for his country. ''It's not just me,'' Price said. ''I had a lot of help.''

The Tri-City Americans (WHL) goaltender helped Canada build a 4-0 lead by early in the second period and held off the surging Russians when they scored two power-play goals to halve Canada's lead.

Price made game-saving saves in each period of the final and the most important one was early in the third period when he dropped to his knees to stone an Anton Krysanov breaking in alone on a short-handed chance.

''The guy that was our most important player the whole tournament came through for us,'' Canadian head coach Craig Hartsburg said.

Price also made a toe save off Andrei Kiryukhin during a Russian power-play in the second period that had teammate Ryan O'Marra in awe. ''Wow. Unbelievable,'' O'Marra. ''I had my head in my hands already because I thought it was in the net.

''He's a big-time player. He came up in the clutch for us in every single game and he not only allowed us to win games. He won us some games.''

In a previous rivalry showdown, Price stole a win for his team in the semifinal against the United States. He stopped all 12 shots he faced in overtime, during which Canada was a man down for two minutes, and ended a seven-round shootout by stopping Peter Mueller in a 2-1 win.

Hartsburg wanted a goaltender who would instill the players in front of him with confidence and make them play better because of it, and Price did that. He played big in the net with his six-foot-two, 217-pound frame, cutting off shooter's angles and helping his defence with his puckhandling and passing.

Price will look to crack the NHL after this season, something his gold-medal predecessors haven't been able to do just yet.

EDMONTON NATIVE
BASKETBALL MAKING A MARK

Edmonton, ALBERTA – The Edmonton Native Basketball Association (ENBA) began as an idea in 1999. That is when Allan Ross, an Aboriginal teacher moved into the city of Edmonton. Allan is a former college basketball player of early 1980's, has organized and coached many teams since the age of 19. He noticed very quickly that Edmonton had relatively few Aboriginal basketball players in local gymnasiums or on minor community basketball teams. He did notice many playing streetball on outdoor courts. He then began the initial formation of an organization that would later be known as Edmonton Native Basketball Association. Allan organized an all Native tournament in May of 2000 at St Joe high school for men under 21 years of age. That was a very successful tournament with 8 teams participating. A single local team from Abbotsfield Rec Center represented Edmonton at that time. To this day several of those young men have continued playing this game. They formed their own team called Arc Angels and now are being sponsored by ENBA.

“As an Aboriginal organization, we plan to provide affordable organized basketball experiences to economically disadvantaged youth. We will incorporate values of education, facilitate awareness of Aboriginal culture, motivate positive youth leadership and empower Aboriginal youth to emotionally unshackle the grip of poverty, alcohol, drugs and gangs. ENBA will infuse the "Circle of Courage" philosophy by Dr. Martin Brokenleg & Dr. Larry Bentro into all its programs, events and activities.

Allan has personally experienced and witnessed how the game of basketball can dramatically change many youth from being rebellious or withdrawn into positive youth with caring attitudes. He has seen many of his athletes graduate from high school and from university. Today many are leaders in their own communities and schools. Since 1976 when he first put together his first team Allan has always found a way to give opportunity to countless Aboriginal youth to play the organized game.

NEAJBHL ALL-STARS
OUTSHINE THE CJHL All-STARS

Saddle Lake, ALBERTA – The stars from two leagues came all out anxious to showcase their skills against each other as the North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League (NEAJBHL) faced off against the Capital Junior Hockey League All-Stars (CJHL) on January 13 hosted by the Saddle Lake Warriors.

Members of the Saddle Lake Warriors (NEAJBHL)
pose after their win over CJHL All-stars.

With the Manitou Kihew Arena filled to it’s capacity, the crowd rocked the roof cheering on their favorite players. The CJHL All-stars took advantage of the sluggish start of the NEAJBHL All-stars and jumped to 3-1 lead after the opening frame.

The second period saw the energized NEAJBHL All-stars come to life as they simply outplayed the much bigger CJHL All-stars. After two periods, the score was tied at 4 apiece.

The NEAJBHL All-stars led by five host team players jumped to an early lead as Gerald Desjarlais scored two minutes into the third period and they never looked back. The NEAJBHL All-stars scored three more unanswered goals and went on to win with an 8-4 final score.

Brett Topola spearheaded the offensive attack by scoring a hat-trick for NEAJBHL All-stars.

CANADA GAMES ATCO PLACE OFFICIALLY OPEN

Whitehorse, YUKON - The 2007 Canada Winter Games held a ribbon cutting ceremony recently to officially open ATCO Place. The impressive tent on the Whitehorse waterfront, ATCO Place, is aptly named for its sponsor, ATCO Group. It will be home to the Opening and Closing Ceremonies and the Cultural Festival, all of which are proudly sponsored by Northwestel.

"ATCO Place will be a great hosting venue for the Canada Games. We are pleased to have the opportunity to engage the people of our companies in the North to celebrate in this great sporting event." Nancy Southern, President & Chief Executive Officer, ATCO Group

The Cultural Festival, which takes place from Feb. 28 to Mar. 6, will be offered to the public free of charge. Artists from the three northern territories will provide a mixture of music, dance and drumming, art demonstrations, workshops, artist talks and gallery exhibits in an impressive array of visual and performing acts.

“Northwestel is very pleased to be part of the outstanding group of companies, governments and volunteers who are all working together to make the 2007 Games the best Games ever,” said Paul Flaherty, Northwestel President and Chief Executive Officer. “When the many exciting Games events begin to unfold at ATCO Place and all the other venues, no doubt all Northerners, along with Northwestel and its employees, will feel truly proud.”

The Canada Games take place from February 23 until March 10, 2007. Be there!

BEAVER BITS

In the next issue, Running Around will have a profile a rising hockey star from the Onion Lake First Nation, 10 year-old Quinlin Littlewolfe who plays in the Atom Tier Division for the Lloydminster Blazers. He may be the next Cheechoo!

And well on his way to a black belt in Karate, we will also introduce you to 8 year-old Mason Scarthe who is having a lot of success in his chosen sport.

Two young athletes on the rise.

Who is going to Canada Games 2007? Let us know and we’ll ensure they get proper media coverage.

Running Around will bring all the news from the Derek Kakegamic Hockey Tournament in Ontario and the Mistahl Sakahikan Hockey Tournament taking place in La Ronge, Saskatchewan.  

Cree Singer Performs on
Hockey Night in Canada

Thirteen year old Akina Shirt sang the National Anthem in Cree prior to the Calgary Flames games against the Vancouver Canucks on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada on February 3rd. Congratulations on a job well done, Akina!

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