A promise to honour Saskatchewan hockey legend has been fulfilled

As the final Jim Neilson Invitational tournament was winding down, tournament founder and organizer Milton Tootoosis expected those moments to be emotional. To his surprise, he was met with a different sort of emotion.

“I felt at ease,” said Tootoosis. “I’ve never felt that sense of calmness at the end of a tournament. It might’ve been the spirit of Jim Neilson saying, ‘calm down, Milty’.”

In that moment he had time to remember his old friend Jim Neilson.

“He used to say that to me – ‘what’s the big deal? I was just a hockey player,” said Tootoosis. “It’s just a hockey game.’ He was always so calm and nonchalant.”

For the past four years, he’s been passionately running the Jim Neilson Invitational – a high-level men’s hockey tournament – where Indigenous teams from across Saskatchewan compete for a title and a large cash prize.

This April, the puck dropped for the final JNI, bringing to a close a historic tournament and the celebration of an almost-forgotten man.

“Because of this tournament, Jim Neilson has been reclaimed. Now, hundreds if not thousands of people know who he is,” said Tootoosis. “When people learn about him, they’re still awestruck.”

Who was the man who inspired the tournament?

Neilson, from Big River First Nation, played over 1000 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1962-1979. He was one of the first, and most successful Indigenous players in the NHL.

“(His story) it’s a parallel to Jackie Robinson,” said Tooroosis. “We have no idea what he went through, in terms of racism, discrimination, and coming from extreme poverty, to do what he did in the 1960s. It’s amazing – there should be a Jackie Robinson-type film (about him).”

The final tournament was in North Battlefords with ten senior teams and five masters teams competing. At the end of it all the Red Pheasant Rebels came out on top and secured the $30,000 prize.

Additionally, the tournament gave Indigenous hockey players and fans the opportunity to experience the sport in a safe, discrimination-free space.

“There is zero racism compared to going to a senior or junior game – you always get that glare, that person looking at you, wondering what you’re doing here,” said Tootoosis.

He said it’s important to create spaces for athletes to not only excel but showcase their talents to a welcoming fanbase.

“That’s why a lot of Indigenous players who have gone on to play (in pro or semi-pro leagues) come back to play in these tournaments,” said Tootoosis. “They say it’s like family. You don’t have to deal with the racism or stress – like the Round Lake Bears did (this season).”

Looking back over the past four years, one of the most notable highlights from the four JNI editions was being able to bring the Indigenous community together to enjoy the game they love.

“We went to the Battleford area because a lot of older fans came out from the nine reserves in the hour radius, who otherwise probably wouldn’t have been able to come out,” said Tootoosis.

“To me, that was one of the highlights – people with family, speaking Cree in the foyer of the arena.”

Similarly, the historic arena itself brought a special atmosphere to the tournament.

“The arena, its almost like an old barn,” said Tootoosis. “It’s full of culture and memories. You can feel the old ghosts and spirits in there. It’s a phenomenal atmosphere.”

the last tournament didn’t run seamlessly as he would have liked.

Tootoosis’ energy and passion for hockey seems almost inexhaustible, but this year’s tournament almost didn’t happen due to overwhelming frustration in putting the tournament together. Each participating team is required to pay an entry fee – which is standard to cover the multitude costs required to assemble a large tournament. But a few too many teams shrugged off their financial obligations.

“The team managers need to hear this – it’s very frustrating. I came very close to cancelling this tournament,” he said. “Seventy per cent of teams are very slow with the team entry fee. It makes it very hard on us as organizers.”

Tootoosis said after two teams dropped, taking the tournament from 12 to 10 teams, he and his wife smudged, prayed, reflected on the tournament’s importance and impact, and decided to press on.

The result was the richest paying tournament in North Battleford history, giving out over $45,000.

“People were coming forward, telling me how grateful they are for bringing the tournament back to the Battlefords,” said Tootoosis. “It’s been an honour and pleasure to be able to do it. I think we raised the bar – we’re going out on a high note.”

Despite the JNI coming to an end, Tootoosis himself has no immediate plans to slow down.

Next month, he’ll be hosting the Keeping our Language Alive conference as part of his Cree Literacy Network. He’s also working on a tech start-up that produces digital products to promote and protect Indigenous languages.

“When I die, I don’t want people to say Milton was just a hockey guy,” said Tootoosis. “I want them to say he was also very committed to language and culture.”

However, while carving out his legacy, he can add reviving Neilson’s legacy of being one of Saskatchewan’s most prolific athletes.

“I’m sure Jim Neilson is smiling down with a big smile, watching these young whippersnappers giving it their all,” said Tootoosis. “I hope they can aspire to be like him, because not only was he a great athlete, but also a classy, humble individual.”

At the end of it all he’s happy to have completed his pledge to hold a tournament of his old friend.