Over a decade of Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations hockey championships have taken place and since the inaugural year in 1999, the number of teams at the tournament has nearly doubled 12 years later.
The competitive hockey tournament had 78 registered teams, with 12 senior division teams, 32 recreational teams, 16 legends teams, eight masters and 10 ladies teams.
The Northwest was well represented in four of the five divisions and one team did capture a championship to bring home. The Red Pheasant senior team won the first place trophy. After an exciting opening game, which was played in front of a packed arena Friday evening against the defending champion Canoe Lake Young Guns, the Rebels met up with Beardy's in the championship game Sunday evening. Another full rink and exciting hockey game saw the Rebels skated to a 2-0 win. The depth of the Rebels and solid goaltending from Jordan Nighttraveller were keys to winning the championship.
Nighttraveller was named the senior division's all-star goalie while teammates Tyson Wuttunnee and Billy Cameron were named all-star forwards, Drew Rose was an all-star defenceman and Ryan Baptiste was the senior division MVP.
Red Pheasant also had a team competing in the recreation division along with other local reserves: Saulteaux, Sweet Grass, Mosquito, Thunderchild and Moosomin.
Mistawasis Warriors won the recreation championship over Muskeg while Onion Lake was third. The tournament rules implemented last season force the top two recreation teams to move up to the senior division next season to try and balance out the number of teams in each draw so once again the recreation division will be up for grabs next season.
In the Legend's division of 35 and over Little Pine, Mosquito and Poundmaker entered teams, but it was Sandy Lake taking first place. Standing Buffalo was second and La Ronge finished third.
The Master's division for players 45 and over was new to the FSIN championships this year and Battlefords Tribal Council entered a team, but fell short, as Badgerville/Cote, English River and ACTC were the top three teams.
The Ladies' division was won by Muskeg Lake over Sandy Lake. Beardy's finished third. The ladies' division MVP was Naomi Albert, a former Battlefords AAA Shark, who played with Muskeg.
