Canadian and Design Construction writer
IQALUIT, Nunavut — Hockey Helps the Homeless’ (HHTH) Northern Alumni Classic made history March 19 to 22 as the first NHL Alumni game ever played in Nunavut and the northernmost alumni hockey event in Canada.
Presented by EllisDon, the tournament brought together the Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni and HHTH All Stars, with proceeds supporting organizations addressing homelessness, food insecurity, and holistic wellbeing across the territory. The event raised $300,000 for Inuit-led initiatives focused on combating homelessness and food insecurity in Nunavut.
For EllisDon, the sponsorship reflected a long-term commitment to working in the North and contributing to solutions for Canada’s housing and homelessness challenges.
“EllisDon showed up because addressing homelessness, especially in the often overlooked North, is deeply important to us, and this event offered a unique opportunity to support a meaningful cause,” said Shaun Stiles, senior vice president and area manager, Atlantic Region at EllisDon.
Hockey Helps the Homeless has raised more than $35 million since 1996, supporting over 65 agencies nationwide. However, Nunavut had previously remained outside the organization’s reach due to the logistical complexity and high cost of hosting large-scale events in remote communities.
Stiles said the response from the community underscored the importance of bringing the event north.
“It was very apparent how connected the community is,” he said. “Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces at the rink and around the city showed just how much this event meant. We were welcomed with open arms; not just at the event, but by the community as a whole.”
Another key sponsor of the event was the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 793, which highlighted its deep ties to the North and its commitment to supporting local communities.
“As a Union representing workers in Nunavut, our connection to the community runs deep, with some of our Brothers and Sisters calling it home. It was truly an honour to give back by helping bring this momentous opportunity to the community,” the union said in a statement.
Funds raised will support Inuit-led organizations including the Annauma Community Foundation, Nunavut’s first community foundation, which connects donors, partners and governments with Inuit-led initiatives focused on community priorities. Funding will support its Community Health and Wellbeing stream, with programming aimed at learning, connection and long-term resilience.
Another beneficiary is the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre in Iqaluit, an Inuit-led hub addressing food insecurity through food access, skills training and advocacy. Support from HHTH will help expand access to healthy food and strengthen culturally grounded approaches to food sovereignty.
A central focus of the Northern Alumni Classic was youth engagement. Local youth registered with the Iqaluit Amateur Hockey Association took part in on-ice sessions led by NHL alumni and Olympians, while local coaches participated in mentorship and skills development.
“From an EllisDon perspective, this was far more than an event; it was a meaningful demonstration of what can be achieved when purpose, community, and partnership truly align,” said Mike Armstrong, senior vice president and area manager, Ottawa at EllisDon.
“What made this experience so special was the energy around it; the people, the place, and the shared commitment to a great cause.”
Armstrong added that time spent in Iqaluit left a lasting impression on participants, particularly the connection with residents and youth.
Players also visited local schools, where they emphasized teamwork, resilience and perseverance. A screening of the Jordin Tootoo: The Documentary was highlighted as a powerful moment for participants, prompting reflection on identity, adversity and the strength of northern communities.
Organizers say the success of the inaugural Northern Alumni Classic demonstrates both the appetite for major sporting events in the North and the potential for sport-driven fundraising to support long-term community wellbeing initiatives across Nunavut.
