Running Around
with Allan Beaver
Allan Beaver is a member of the Bigstone Cree Nation in Desmarais, AB. A former athlete, Allan has competed in volleyball, basketball, fastball, and long-distance running before starting his writing career fifteen years ago.
LEGENDS AND THE BEST OF THE CANADA
Winnipeg, MB – It was a great weekend for the best fastball action Canada has to offer. The 2007 Canadian Native Fastball Championships were held in Winnipeg, with all teams vying for the top prize in four divisions.
The Men’s A Division saw the Horse Lake Thunder (Alberta) defeat another Alberta team, the Siksika Rebels, in the championship game. Third place went to the Prince George River Kings (BC) while The Tribe from Saskatchewan came in fourth place.
The Most Valuable Player in the A Division went to none other than the legend of Native fastball, Darren Zack, who also claimed the Top Pitcher Award for the Horse Lake Thunder. Calvin McNabb of the Siksika Rebels won the Top Hitter Award.
The Men’s B Division was claimed by the Goodfish Lake Keyano Pimee (Alberta) while Cross Lake (Manitoba) took second. The Alexis Jets (Alberta) snuck in for the bronze while Canoe Lake Cree (Saskatchewan) came in fourth place.
Louis Redmen of Goodfish Lake claimed the Most Valuable Player Award and also the Top Pitcher. Top Hitter went to Virden McKay of Cross Lake.
The Women’s Division was won by the Winnipeg Northern Lights (Manitoba) as they defeated the Alexi Jets (Alberta) in the final. The Little Child Ladies (Saskatchewan) took third and The Pride (Saskatchewan) snuck for fourth place.
The Most Valuable Player went to Deena Caplette of the Northern Lights while the Top Pitcher went to Nicole Anneck also of the Northern Lights. Leila Crier of the Alexis Jets took the Top Hitter and the special MASRC Top Pitcher went to Holly Denny of the Alexi Jets.
A new category this year was the Master Division as all the players must be 40 years and older. The McKay United (Manitoba) claimed the championship as the Sioux Valley Dakotas (Manitoba) took second. In third place was the Buffalo Lake Thunder (Alberta).
Most Valuable Player went to Darrell McKay of McKay United while Terry Bone also of the United took home the Top Pitcher Award.
A special presentation for Top Pitcher for the 2007 Canadian Native Fastball Championship was named the Edgar Stevenson Jr. Memorial Trophy and again, Darren Zack of the Horse Lake Thunder was selected as the recipient of the prestigious award.
ASHAM SIGNS WITH NEW JERSEY DEVILS
New Jersey, U.S.A. – The Devils announced that they have signed forward Arron Asham to a new contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Asham, 29, is entering his ninth NHL season, having spent the last four with the New York Islanders. The 5-11, 210-lb. wing recorded 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points in a career-high 80 games in 2006-07.
"Arron Asham is a veteran forward who brings a level of toughness, intensity, and feistiness to our lineup," said Devils' CEO/President/General Manager Lou Lamoriello.
Originally taken with Montreal's third-round pick, 71st overall, in the 1996 Entry Draft, Asham and a fifth-round selection were sent to New York in a 2002 trade for Mariusz Czerkawski.
The Portage La Prairie, Manitoba native went on to post career highs in 2002-03, with 15 goals and 19 assists for 34 points. In 421 career games with the Canadiens and Islanders, Asham has collected 58 goals and 67 assists for 125 points.
Asham played his junior hockey with the Red Deer (Alberta) Rebels of the Western Hockey League.
BEAVER BITS
Eddie and the Cruisers, the Fort Chipewyan powerhouse for Slo-pitch claimed another title under their belt (or cleats). Cruisers have been dominant in numerous tournaments in the community.
“The Cruisers would like to thank Sonny Flett and Willis Flett who sponsored the team for the tournament,” says team captain Eddie Courtoreille.
The Sturgeon Valley Slo-pitch League in St. Albert has come to a close for this season but I can’t go on without mentioning the Tazmanian Devils season. I had the opportunity to watch a few of their games as my wife, Eunice, plays for the team and I had a blast especially when they were knocking off teams like dominoes. The Devils, with majority of the team being Aboriginal, closed off the season with eight straight wins to claim the division championship.
Next season, the Tazmanian Devils will move a division as they are considered too tough for this season’s division. Congratulations, Tazmanian Devils!
BEGAY MOVES TO DALLAS, TEXAS
SAN DIEGO, California U.S.A. - While he was busy catching flights and crisscrossing the country this week, Notah Begay III took some time to update the fans on his whereabouts and what's going on with the only full-blooded Native American on the PGA Tour.
"This week I headed east to the Turning Stone Resort - site of the PGA Tour's Turning Stone Resort Championship - to play in a fundraiser sponsored by the Oneida Nation New York," Notah said. "I conducted a short junior clinic on Wednesday (August 15) followed by a fundrasing dinner and a golf tournament on Thursday (August 16). It was a great event for a good cause."
On August 16, Notah flew back across the states to San Diego for the wedding of one of his wife Apryl's best friends.
"Of course, I will also spend at least one day 'where the surf meets the turf' admiring the fantastic horse racing at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club," Notah said. "That's not all! After the wedding on Saturday (August 18), I will catch the red eye to Minneapolis to participate in the Adam Beach Golf Classic fundraising tournament held just outside of Duluth, Minn. That event will take place on Sunday and Monday (August 19 & 20) with a much-needed flight home on Monday night (August 20)."
Notah also had an update on his new area code.
"Oh yah! By the way, home base is now Dallas, Texas, where my wife and I are in the process of moving," he said. "We live in the downtown area with most of my practice time taking place at the No. 1 golf club in Texas - Dallas National. Apryl and I are enjoying our new home, which is significantly smaller than our place in New Mexico but just as comfortable.
"I don't know what I will miss more, the fresh green chili or the amazing New Mexico sunsets. Tex-Mex just doesn't cut it for this New Mexico boy!"
The next event on Notah's schedule is the Turning Stone Resort Championship, Sept. 17-23.