The axe has not come down for the Norman Northstars. A possible league reconstruction that would have booted them from their league will not happen and northern Manitoba's sole AAA U18 hockey team will stay on the ice.
The top representative team for under-18 players from northern Manitoba and Nunavut is staying alive after a proposed measure to change up boundaries for the Manitoba Under-18 AAA Hockey League (MBU18AAAHL) was voted down. The change would have removed the Northstars and potentially other rural teams from the league if passed.
"Last night's meeting of the U18 AAA League resulted in the rejection of a motion to change boundaries and remove the Norman Northstars from the league," reads a statement issued by the team Feb. 29.
"We would like to express our sincere appreciation to everyone for their unwavering support and enthusiasm throughout the process. We can't wait to welcome you all back for the upcoming 2024-25 season."
Last month, sources familiar with the matter shared with The Reminder that the team, along with the Dauphin-based Parkland Rangers and potentially others, could be excluded from the league for the 2024-25 season. The league itself did not publicly announce any changes in teams for next season, including whether or not the Northstars would be cut.
From there came a firestorm of local and regional resistance, including letters of support of the program from every local minor hockey association operating in the north, from municipal and Indigenous leadership and from some of the team's former players.
A public meeting held in late February before the Northstars' final homestand of the season with league commissioner Levi Taylor saw MP Niki Ashton, representatives of MLA Eric Redhead, Thompson Mayor Colleen Smook and team board members and parents demanding no changes be made that could lead to the team being contracted.
The decision was praised by regional leadership, who said the Northstars represent a chance for northern youth to find purpose and learn lessons through sport they may not otherwise get to experience.
“We believe Hockey Manitoba made the right decision. This decision means that youth from northern Manitoba and Nunavut will continue to have the opportunity to excel in sport. This allows our athletes to engage in high level sports and reap the associated benefits of physical health, social development and personal growth without having to leave their territories," said Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO) Grand Chief Garrison Settee.
"The Norman Northstars have long been a source of pride and inspiration for the children and youth in our communities and we look forward to keeping that tradition alive."
The Northstars are the only northern team in the 12-team MBU18AAAHL and one of eight teams outside Manitoba’s two largest cities. Each minor hockey region in the province operates one team, while three are based in Winnipeg and another team, the Kenora Thistles, are based out of Ontario.
According to the team’s website, this year’s Northstars roster featured players from nine different northern communities in Manitoba and Nunavut - 11 players from Thompson, four from Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, two players each from Coral Harbour, Nunavut, Flin Flon and Opaskwayak Cree Nation and one each from Arviat, Nunavut, Cross Lake, The Pas and Wanless. That includes Flin Flonners Gage Gogal and Nole Pearson, who each played their second season with the team this year.
The team also features an all-northern coaching staff, led by head coach Justin Valentino, who is originally from Thompson and a former Northstar player who went on to play four years of junior hockey, five seasons of Canadian USports hockey and professionally in Europe.
