Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize the current minor hockey program in Fort Providence, after being inactive for quite a number of years. It had its humble beginnings back in 2012, when a local hockey coach, Edward Landry, and the manager of the Northern Store, Tim Cragg, decided to start up the minor hockey program. They began with three to four players. Eventually, more kids wanted to join, but there was a lack of hockey equipment to outfit them. With the assistance of the Canadian Tire program Jumpstart, the minor hockey program received 20 bags of hockey equipment. This led to more kids wanting to play hockey.

They attended their first hockey tournament in 2017 at Fort Smith. This was in the initiation division. After more fundraising and finding sponsors, they were able to purchase their first set of hockey jerseys with the team name and logo, Fort Providence Ice Ducks. The jerseys are a nice colour of orange. The team eventually attended tournaments in Hay River, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife. The kids attended hockey camps and other development camps such as the Reggie Leach Shoot to Score hockey camps held in Fort Smith and Hay River.

Just as recently as this past weekend, the team entered the Atom Tournament in Hay River. I was there to watch the tournament, and you could see the huge smiles on the faces of the kids. They belong to a sports team, and the camaraderie with kids their own age is an experience they will have for quite some time. Team coach Edward Landry, along with his wife, Bertha, and the kids' parents are making this a worthwhile experience for the kids in Fort Providence and deserve the recognition and praise from the community. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.