Fort Providence, N.W.T., minor hockey team make finals of national 'Good Deeds' competition

Fort Providence's minor hockey team has put the N.W.T. community on the hockey map as it was named one of 12 regional finalists in the national "Good Deeds" competition organized by a major automotive company. 

The Ice Ducks won $2,000, which they donated to the local Meals on Wheels program, and a spot in the finals for Chevrolet's Good Deeds Cup. The competition rewards local hockey teams that get more people from all backgrounds and abilities into hockey.

"We were in shock," said coach and team founder Edward Landry, about making the cut. 

Making the finals means the Ice Ducks also get a shot at a $100,000 prize for the charity of their choice.

The Fort Providence Ice Ducks got their start about a decade ago with 20 bags of donated hockey gear, and an inclusive approach to building a minor league hockey team.

"We started with the three kids wanting to skate," said Landry. 

With support from the manager of the Northern store, Tim Craig, the little team received donated gear from Canadian Tire's Jumpstart charity.  

They went to the local school, Deh Gáh Elementary and Secondary School, to recruit players. 

"Anybody that wanted to play hockey, male or female was invited," he said. "Overnight we got 35 players." 

Even with the kids kitted out, Landry said, in a small community like Fort Providence, getting them to tournaments and hockey camps was a challenge. 

He said that's because there's "hardly any income" to allow families to pay for the costs. 

"The community companies and organizations were really helping out, dishing out some money for us to go." 

COVID-19 has hit the team hard, Landry said.  It's affected turnout and because the pandemic has dragged on for two years, they're working to find gear that fits