Two students from Carman Collegiate returned home with gold medals after helping Team Manitoba sweep both the male and female divisions at the 2025 National Aboriginal Hockey Championship (NAHC) in Kamloops, B.C.
Jessica Anderson of Myrtle, recorded two goals and two assists in the tournament. The forward, who plays for the Pembina Valley Hawks during the regular season, was part of the dominant Manitoba squad that shut out Team B.C. 2–0 in the women’s final.
On the boys’ side, defenceman Cade McCallum of Carman, contributed an assist during the week-long tournament, helping Team Manitoba to a 4–2 win over Team Alberta in the championship game. McCallum also plays for the Pembina Valley Hawks.
Team Manitoba’s gold-medal victories capped off a strong showing from both squads at this year’s tournament. In the male division, Manitoba advanced to the final after defeating Saskatchewan 5–4 in a thrilling semi-final matchup. During round-robin play, the team beat Saskatchewan 5–3, British Columbia 4–2, and Eastern Door and the North 8–1, tied Ontario 1–1, and suffered a 3–0 loss to Alberta.
In the final, Manitoba clinched gold with a 4–2 win over Alberta.
On the female side, Team Manitoba went undefeated en route to a 2–0 win over Team British Columbia in the gold medal game, securing the tournament sweep.
Hosted by Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc and the City of Kamloops, the NAHC brought together over 500 participants from across Canada. The event is the country’s premier showcase of Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) U18 hockey talent, celebrating athletic excellence and cultural pride.
This year’s edition featured six male and six female teams competing for national titles and the Turtle Island Cup. The tournament opened May 11 with a cultural ceremony and wrapped up May 17 at the Sandman Centre.
The NAHC also offers opportunities for cultural exchange, with athletes, coaches, and fans sharing traditions and building community throughout the week.
Team Manitoba’s dual gold medal victories highlight the province’s strong Indigenous hockey development programs and the dedication of its athletes and coaching staff — and mark a proud achievement for the Carman community.
