Today is officially the second day of Opaskwayak Indigenous Days, and here are some of the sporting events taking place across OCN.

Starting at 9:00 a.m. at the Veterans’ Hall, pre-elder and elder races will take place. Then, at 9:30 a.m., there will be a 50+ mountain bike race. Registration will happen on site at the Veterans’ Hall with Mariola Head.

Children’s races will be running throughout the week at various locations across OCN. This morning at around 10:00 a.m, they’ll be set up at the OID Park.

Also happening this morning are the Angel Races at the Veterans’ Hall, which will also begin at 10:00 a.m.

Lastly, the O.I.D. Ball Hockey Tournament starts up today at the Oscar Lathlin Collegiate gymnasium. Today, the youth division will be playing their games and competing for one of three cash prizes, while the adult division will begin play tomorrow.

Sunday, Aug. 9, marks the official start of Opaskwayak Indigenous Days, with a couple of sporting events set to kick off the week.

Beginning at 9 a.m., a Children's and Youth Triathlon will take place at the O.I.D. Park. Registration will be available on site. For more information, call 431-355-1756.

At 1 p.m., a Youth Fishing Derby will be held at OCN Riverside Park. The registration fee is $8 per rod.

102.9 CJAR will be covering all Opaskwayak Indigenous Days events throughout the week. Stay informed by visiting our website or tuning in to our local newscasts.

O.I.D. program booklets will be available beginning Monday at the main headquarters in Otineka Mall.

Starting next week, a wide range of sporting events will take place during Opaskwayak Indigenous Days.

The O.I.D Soccer Tournament was announced Wednesday night, and participants looking to put together a team have until Aug. 12 to register before games kick off next weekend.

There will be both men's and women's divisions, with cash prizes awarded to the teams that finish first through third.

The entry fee is $600 per team. E-transfers can be sent to accounts.recieveable@opaskwayak.ca. In the message box, include your team name. The tournament draw will also take place on Aug. 12.

The Pas Minor Hockey is currently looking for house league coaches and conveners ahead of the upcoming hockey season.

If you enjoy making a positive impact while helping young players develop their skills and build confidence, consider getting involved.

For more information or to apply, visit thepasminorhockey.ca.

On Friday, August 14th, during Opaskwayak Indigenous Days, the Nathan McGillivary Sr. Memorial Youth Relay Race will take place at Joe A. Ross School's outdoor track.

This event is open to youth ages 12–17. To compete, each team must consist of two males and two females.

Registration will take place on the morning of the race from 9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m., with the race beginning at 10:00 a.m.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the teams that place 1st through 6th. Trophies and individual awards will also be presented to the top standout racers.

For more information, please contact Jamie at 204-623-5622 or Gabby at 204-978-1204.

A few announcements were made last week surrounding your Northern Manitoba Blizzard.

First up, on Friday, the Blizz made another trade ahead of the upcoming season. Liam Carlone, a 2006-born forward formerly of the Winkler Flyers, will now be suiting up for Northern Manitoba. In return, the Flyers received a player development fee (PDF) and 2007-born defenceman Seth Quayle. Carlone is coming off two stellar seasons with Winkler and even served as the team's assistant captain during his tenure.

The Blizz continue to get better ahead of training camp, which is set to begin later this month. This past weekend, the team released its full training camp schedule and highlighted two games that will be played during this month. The camp will feature open practices as well as competitive scrimmages. More information can be found on the team's official Facebook page.

One last reminder from the Blizz: they only have a limited number of spots remaining for their upcoming hockey school, which is set to kick off on August 18. There are currently nine spots available in the U7 and U9 program and just three spots remaining in the U11 program. Participants interested in registering are encouraged to visit normanblizzard.com to sign up.

As always, the best way to stay up to date with your Northern Manitoba Blizzard is by following the team's Facebook page or visiting their website.

The Northern Way Sports Charity Golf Tournament will once again kick off Connor Dewar's Hockey Camp week on Monday, August 10.

Halcrow Lake Golf & Country Club will once again play host to the exciting event. Registration begins at 10:30 a.m., with a shotgun start scheduled for 12:00 p.m.

The tournament will also feature a delicious dinner, presentations, and great prizes. To register for this 18+ event, stop by the clubhouse or call 204-627-2300.

The OCN Storm are continuing their fundraising efforts ahead of next season by hosting another Radio Bingo on August 25.

Much of the Storm's success can be attributed to the support of the community, and these bingo events are another way to bring fans together while helping support the team as it looks to capture a historic third consecutive championship this upcoming season.

As always, bingo cards are available for purchase at the Bingo Hut in Otineka Mall. Participants can tune in at thepasonline.com or on 102.9 CJAR to join the action.

The Legion is asking everyone to save the date! This September, the branch will be hosting a fun golf day at the Halcrow Lake Golf & Country Club.

The event will also feature a putting contest and a $10,000 hole-in-one challenge. Be sure to stay tuned for more details by joining the branch's official Facebook group.

In other Legion news, the branch will be hosting a Sports Day next month at the Kinsmen Ball Diamond, located at the end of Crossley Avenue. The day will feature disc golf, cornhole, bocce ball, and much more.

The Sports Day is open to both members and non-members ages 18 and older. Entry fees vary depending on which event you choose to participate in. To sign up or learn more, contact Comrade Mark A. at 1-204-679-8192.

The 61st Opaskwayak Indigenous Days is adding to their event list with a 3-on-3 basketball tournament held from August 13th to 15th. Several age groups can play, with a 10 and under division, 11 to 13 division, 14 to 17 division, a competitive men’s division, and a competitive women’s division as well.

Entry fees vary from free to $100 up to $150 per team. There will be prizes for teams that place, with up to $1000 to be won.

A skill competition is set to take place on Friday, August 14th. All basketball teams must register for the tournament at the OCN Payment Center in the Otineka Mall. The deadline to register is August 12th.

Opaskwayak Indigenous Days is holding a bike race on Tuesday, August 11th, at the Jake Constant Bus Garage. The race is open to children, youth, and adults, with cash prizes for male and female racers placing 1st-5th in each category. Registration begins at 8:30, and race start times are 9:30 AM for adults, 9:35 AM for youth, and 9:40 AM for children.

All racers must wear a helmet. An adult-only entry fee of $20.00 is payable at the OCN Payment Center in the Otineka Mall. 

The event is one of many planned for the 2026 Opaskwayak Indigenous Days festival in August, celebrating Cree culture, traditions and community.

The Northern Manitoba Blizzard are calling for potential billets to sign up and help out during training camp and the regular season. This very rewarding opportunity also comes with its own unique perks. Billet families will receive $600 per month, one season ticket, and, of course, the chance to show players what northern hospitality is all about. More information on how to inquire can be found on their official website and Facebook page.

In other Blizz news, another trade occurred last week between the Northern Manitoba Blizzard and the Winnipeg Blues. The Blizz traded forward Kayne Pawlick and a Player Development Fee to the Blues in exchange for netminder Kannen Kirkwood, a 2007-born goaltender from Calgary, AB. This marks yet another move by Northern Manitoba as they continue to bolster their roster ahead of the upcoming season.

The Northern Manitoba Blizzard wants hockey families to know there are still spots available in its U7/U9 Hockey School.

The camp will take place late next month and offers a fun opportunity for young players to get a head start on the upcoming hockey season while developing their skills on the ice.

For more information or to register, visit normanblizzard.com.

The Pas Minor Hockey is offering a great incentive for hockey families across the tri-community.

Parents who register their players between now and August 1 will save $100 on player registration fees. The organization is encouraging anyone planning to register one or more players to sign up as soon as possible to take advantage of the discount.

For more information, visit thepasminorhockey.ca or the organization's official Facebook page.

A co-ed 6-and-4 slo-pitch tournament will once again be held during this year's Opaskwayak Indigenous Days.

The tournament begins on August 14, with games being played at one of the three main ball diamonds throughout the tri-community.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top teams in both the A-side and B-side championship finals. The $500 entry fee must be paid at the OCN Payment Centre by Wednesday, August 5, for teams to be eligible to participate. All teams must also register through slo-pitch.com and submit a signed waiver.

All prizes are guaranteed, and individual awards will also be presented to the tournament's standout players.

For more information or to register, contact Cheryll Cook at 431-355-3722 or Jill Cook at 204-978-0299.

It's another busy week in The Pas Slo-Pitch League, with a full slate of games on tap.

Tonight, the Agents will play back-to-back games against the Fireballz and Tugeyes at the Arena 1 baseball diamond.

Meanwhile, Centennial Field will host a doubleheader. At 6:30 p.m., the Big Ol' Hitties will take on the Digmor Crushers, followed by the Mall Rats facing team Balls Deep.

The lone game at Kinsmen Field will feature the Young Guns going head-to-head with Pitch Slap.

A reminder for spectators: games are played every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at one of the league's three fields. The full schedule can be found on the league's official Facebook page.

With the Josh Gratton era officially set to begin in September, plenty of work is being done behind the scenes to strengthen the Blizzard roster for the upcoming season.

The club's most recent trades saw the Blizzard acquire defenceman Odile Grenier and forward Matthew O'Sullivan.

O'Sullivan split last season between the Kings and the Blues, recording a combined 47 points during his time with the two clubs.

Grenier also suited up for two different teams last season. The defenceman played just two games with the MJAHL's Amherst Ramblers before joining the QJHL's Gatineau Flames, where he appeared in 41 games and finished with 20 points.

Back in June, the Blizzard also acquired forward Brady Green and defenceman Leathen Bent, two players Gratton coached during his time with the Winnipeg Blues.

The Blizzard did not trade away any returning players in any of the four deals, adding experience and depth to the roster ahead of the 2026-27 season.

Former Blizzard player Jordin Tootoo is returning to The Tri Community for an autograph and book signing this Saturday at Twin Motors.

Jordin played a full season for the Blizzard from 1998-1999, leaving a lasting impact both on and off the ice. He then played for the Brandon Wheat Kings in the Western Hockey League (WHL) from 1999 to 2003. He was then drafted by the Nashville Predators in the NHL, where he played 723 games across a 13-season career.

Jordin was the first player of Inuit descent to play in the NHL. He has authored two books and has become an advocate for mental health and Indigenous youth.

Fans are encouraged to bring their copy of one of his books, their favourite jersey, puck, or memorabilia to be autographed by Jordin.

The Big Eddy Sports Days weekend just keeps getting bigger.

The Big Eddy Sports Days Facebook group announced the addition of a 35-and-over men's soccer tournament to the already busy slate of events. Games will be played on OCN and Fisher Island.

There is no entry fee to register a team, but all participants must wear a Big Eddy Sports Days bracelet to be eligible to play. Cash prizes will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place teams.

More tournaments are being added to the already jam-packed Big Eddy Sports Days weekend.

A seven-on-seven youth soccer tournament has now been added to the lineup for kids and teens across the tri-community. The tournament will feature four divisions: U9, U11, U13 and U15.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first-, second- and third-place teams in each division. The entry fee is $200 per team.

For more information, contact Kristen Young at 204-620-3114 or join the tournament's official Facebook group.

The Big Eddy Sports Days Committee is back at it with not one, not two, but three 3-on-3 basketball tournaments.

Games will tip off on July 24 and run through July 27. They will be played at either Oscar Lathlin Collegiate or Joe A. Ross School.

The deadline to register a team is July 17. Entry fees can be paid at the Otineka Mall Payment Center.

There are two important rules for this year's tournaments. First, teams competing in the coed youth tournament must have a five-player roster that includes at least two girls. Second, all participants in the women's and men's tournaments must wear their $5 tournament bracelet throughout the duration of the tournament.

Registration is still open for several Northern Manitoba hockey teams, including the U13 AA Norman Northstars, U15 Norman Northstars, and U18 Norman Northstars.

Registration links can be found on the The Pas Huskies Facebook page or by visiting thepasminorhockey.ca.

Parents interested in registering their players should note that tryouts for all three teams will take place in August and early September. Additional information, including tryout details, is available through the registration forms.

The Northern Manitoba Blizzard ran their two-day July development camp recently in Winnipeg. The camp included some returning players and several new players joining the lineup for this year's team. After seeing the talent at the camp, head coach Josh Gratton says the Blizzard will be a “competitive, heavy, and physical” team this upcoming season.  

Here, Josh talks about the skill level at the camp and the players' performance.

He also notes, It’s going to be a very entertaining brand of hockey for the fans.

The Blizzard has a six-game exhibition schedule in August, where they will face the Flin Flon Bombers three times. The exhibition games will give fans a taste of the season to come.

Big news out of the BCHL, former Alberni Bulldogs broadcaster and former Flin Flonner Evan " the Hammer" Hammond has unanimously been named the BCHL Broadcaster of the Year for 2026.

Evan had been the voice of the Bulldogs since the 2003-04 season and was one of the most recognizable and popular broadcasters in Western Canada, sadly passing away in January.

This is the fourth time that Evan has been recognized for his broadcast talents as the BCHL'S Broadcaster Of The Year, The Jim Hughson Award.

He also won the award in 2009, 2013 and 2022.

Prior to moving out West, Hammond started his broadcast career at 102.9 CFAR in Flin Flon in the late 90s, working part-time while still in high school.

Hammond had a great passion for sports,  in particular hockey and got a chance to get his first play-by-play job for the OCN Blizzard of the MJHL, moving to The Pas in 1999.

This was the glory days of the Blizzard, who won 5 straight MJHL Championships with Hammond on the mic for 4 of their league titles and a trip to Halifax in 2002 for the National Championship.

The Blizzard lost to the host team in the final, but were definitely one of the top teams in the country, and Hammond was starting to establish himself as an elite broadcaster in the country as well.

After broadcasting the Blizzard's fifth straight League Championship in 2003, Evan made his way to the island to broadcast in the BCHL with the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, where he remained for over 20 years.

Evan is survived by his mother Heather, his sister Erin, his daughter Cally and his sons Griffin and Foster and is predeceased by his father Cal.

Evan's mother, Heather, who still resides in Flin Flon,  had this to say on the BCHL Hockey website about her son being recognized for this award. “It is heartwarming that he has not been forgotten, and we appreciate it very much. We know ‘Hammer’ would be so pleased and very grateful and hope his legacy lives on.”

Besides being the play-by-play broadcaster of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, Evan was the morning announcer of the Pattison radio station The Peak 93.3 FM, an active member of the community and a great father and family man.

He was a larger-than-life character that made everyone smile that knew him and he will certainly be missed. RIP

On July 21, the The Pas Friendship Centre is inviting four participants to learn the great sport of golf.

The lesson is open to young adults between the ages of 17 and 21, and no previous golf experience is required. Golf is a great way to stay active, enjoy the outdoors, and make the most of the summer.

Transportation is available, and lunch will be provided.

To register or for more information, contact Carson at 204-627-7500 or email caoassistant@thepasfc.ca.