The Jim Neilson Invitational Tournament gets underway this weekend in North Battleford (Jim Neilson Invitational/Facebook).

By Austin Mattes

Jim Neilson Invitational Tournament

‘Almost forgotten and has now been reclaimed’: Tournament honouring Jim Neilson gets underway this weekend

Apr 11, 2025 | 1:48 PM

One of the biggest Indigenous hockey tournaments in Western Canada is back in North Battleford this weekend, the Jim Neilson Invitational (JNI) Tournament gets underway tonight at the Access Communications Centre and will see 14 teams from across Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta faceoff and compete against each other all while honouring hockey legend, Jim Neilson.

Neilson, who passed away in 2020, was from Big River Cree First Nation and played 16 seasons in the NHL. He was inducted into the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame, the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame, and the Prince Albert Sports Hall of Fame and is listed as one the top 100 Defencemen of All-Time by the Hockey News. Neilson was also a runner-up for the Norris Trophy during the 1967-68 season to Bobby Orr.

The JNI has been around since the 1960s but was originally known as the North Battleford Indian Metis Friendship Centre tournament and then was rebranded to the Lawrence Weenie Cup during the 2000s.

Then, during COVID, the tournament went on hiatus and upon its return in 2022, was named after Neilson, said JNI Organizer Milton Tootoosis

“We created the JNI shortly after COVID, three years ago, to honour the legacy he left. We want to acknowledge Jim Neilson and his incredible achievements coming from an orphanage in the Big River Indian reserve to making a debut with the New York Rangers and playing in over 1000 games…he was once almost forgotten and has now been reclaimed,” said Tootoosis.

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The tournament will have 10 teams in the Senior Men’s Contact Division and then four teams in the Masters (45+) Non-Contact Division. The Senior Men’s will play all games throughout the weekend at the Access Communications Centre, while the Masters Division will only play games on Saturday at the Don Ross Centre.

Tootoosis said he expects a big turnout for the tournament with people coming from all over to support their family.

“Our tournaments are like family. These are community-based teams and it’s like a big family reunion and relatives from all over Western Canada will be coming. There’s a lot of visiting in between games and it’s just good to see each other, it’s part of Indigenous culture. Plus, people also like to see their own people competing and playing at a high level,” he said.

The competition level will be set high for the tournament with former and current Junior A, Junior B, Major Junior, and Professional players all suiting up to represent their communities throughout the weekend.

The first game of the tournament is today at 4:30 p.m. at the Access Communications Centre between the Beardy’s Blackhawks and Saulteaux 3 Stars.

Ticket prices are $10.00 a day for Youth and Elders (65+).

$15.00 on Friday and $20.00 on Saturday/Sunday for Adults. Children get in for free.

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Austin.mattes@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @AustinMattes