'Words can't even explain': What the Yukon Native Hockey Tournament meant to one young athlete

Hundreds of players, dozens of teams, three days of action.

And for Gavin Olito, this year's Yukon Native Hockey Tournament in Whitehorse was an unforgettable experience.

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"Words can't even explain how honoured I am just to be on this team to be able to come up here and be with family," he saidbetween games with his team, the Lower Post Eagles.

The 18-year-old laced up for the Eagles for the first time this year, and he wore a special number.

Gavin'sbrother, Johnny, was still a teenager when he diedin 1994. Johnnyhad wornnumber 10 with the Eagles.

The teamretired the jersey after Johnny died, but brought itout of retirement this year, forGavinto wear.

"It just means a lot that they're letting me have this opportunity to wear the number, wear it with pride. And that's all I can do, wear it with pride and give it everything I've got out there", he said.

Olito'sfamily moved from Watson Lake to GrandPrairie, Alta.,to provide him with a better lifestyle, and a hockey-rich environment.

Olitosays he used hockey as a positive outlet.

"I just feel like when I'm on the ice that nothing else matters ... It clears my mind," he said.

Olitosays the tournament gave him a chance to compete against cousins he had yet to face off with. It was also a platform for players to show off their skills, he said.

"It's definitely an opportunity for Aboriginals in the Yukon, and all over Canada, that come to play in this tournament to showcase their talent in front of other First Nations."

'Young team of warriors'

The tournament which marked its40thanniversary this yearhas grown from agrassroots, community-based gathering into what isundoubtedlyone of the largest Indigenous sporting events in the North.

Teams represent communities in Northwest Territories, northern British Columbia, and Yukon. But the event itself brings in fans and players from all over the country.

For tournament founder Doug Jim, it'sweekend like no other. He says the original idea was simply to give young First Nations hockey players an outlet to compete, in a fun and friendly environment.

"I never thought for one minute that it was going to grow as big as it did, or a good as it did," he said."I feel great that I've helped put this tournament together.

"What I'd love to see is, I'd love to see a young kid come out of here and play in the NHL. That would make my day," he said.

Joe "Copper"Jackis one of the first Indigenous players to represent Yukon in varsity level (college)hockey down south.
He says for many involved, the sport is used as a tool to address their own personal struggles.

"I would say it's probably the biggest positive effect for Yukon First Nations, in regard to their healing journey. Trying to reconcile what has happened to them in a positive way, and to feel good about themselves,"Jack said.

"We're being very careful in trying to form again this young team of warriors that's going to be addressing other obstacles that they're going to be facing in their life."