Korey Diehl of the PAGC Senator’s Cup organizing committee. Photo courtesy of Dean Bear.
The 3rd Annual PAGC Senators Cup Hockey Tournament goes this weekend at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert.
Twelve teams are confirmed for the all-First Nation event that kicks off Friday afternoon, which includes last year’s champions, the Red Pheasant Rebels.
Korey Diehl is one of the tournament organizers, and says there will be some high-calibre talent on display during the tournament.
He says some players have played in the WHL and SJHL before like Colton YellowHorn and Wacey Rabbit. Some have been playing in the minor leagues in the US and over in Europe.
He says that players must play for their own First Nation or Metis community, but there is a three-player import rule per team.
Diehl says the tournament organizers went that route after the first year when a few teams stacked their talent, which left a number of teams on a less competitive playing field.
The top prize to the winners is $20,000, and the coveted Senators Cup, which resembles the Stanley Cup.
“A lot of guys growing up had dreams of hoisting the real Stanley Cup, but the Senator’s Cup has special meaning for the teams coming in to play for it,” Diehl said.
There will also be all-star awards, which will he handed out at the end of the tournament on Sunday.