The Arviat youth hockey team won the gold medal at the 2026 Polar Bear Plate tournament in Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, on March 22, 2026. The team secured a 3-0 victory against the hometown Rankin Rock at the Agnico Eagle Arena.
Dexter Kalluak scored the first goal for Arviat in the second period, and Cam Kaludjak followed with two goals in the third period. Goaltender Tucker St. John kept the opposing team from scoring to earn a shutout in the championship game.
Coach Gleason Uppahuak said the players earned the win by skating and practising every day to prepare for the event. He noted that the team focused on a strong defence as their top priority during the tournament.
The Polar Bear Plate is an annual event for players aged 15 to 21 that was first established in 1999. This year, eight teams competed for the trophy, with Salliq taking the bronze medal after a 2-1 win over Naujaat in overtime.
The tournament is named after the famous bear-shaped license plates that were once part of a territorial debate. Local fans celebrated the victory with loud cheering and bells, showing their support for the young athletes from across the region.
