Picture via Facebook.
Picture via Mushkegowuk Cup Facebook page.

Over 1,000 players are converging on Timmins this weekend for a First Nation hockey tradition.

The 9th Annual Mushkegowuk Cup will pit 51 teams against each other in several divisions based on age and skill level.  Coordinator Todd Reuben says there will be a recreational and competitive divisions for atom to midget aged players.

He says this will help cut down the amount of blowout games, as they’ve had several in previous years.

“Nobody enjoys a 10-1 game, especially spectators.  There’s no fun there,” Reuben says, “Especially if your kid scores his first goal ever, and that happens to be the 10th goal in the game, it looks kind of silly on the parents part to cheer hard.”

There’s so many people, Reuben says all the hotels in town are pretty well booked up.

With the Timmins Rock on the road this weekend, the McIntyre Arena will play host to the tournament, as well as the Archie Dillon Sportsplex and Mountjoy Arena.

Reuben says people who come to the games will be really impressed with their sportsmanship and their skill.

The Timmins Kiwanis Falcons midget “A” girls team will also be holding a hockey school for those in the tyke, novice, atom and peewee divisions on the Sunday at the Mountjoy Arena and is free to attend.

Reuben says to check out their FACEBOOK PAGE, as it will have updated scores throughout the weekend.

Day passes are $10 and weekend passes are $25.  Those ages 6 to 15 can buy a weekend pass for $15, while those 5 and under and 65 or older get in free.