The Yukon male hockey team wrapped up a record-setting 2023 Canada Games tourney yesterday.

Their number one goalie, Ashton Fummerton, who had a great tournament, was asked about their 7-2 loss to Newfoundland and Labrador yesterday.

“It was a tough game. I thought we could have played better but it was still nice to finish on at least a good effort for our team and with all the stuff that happened this weekend, with all the records that we’ve broken, it’s been pretty cool.”

“If we came out really fresh and we came out sharp I think we could definitely beat those guys. I definitely think that the last games have been harder.”

Fummerton, 14, agreed that the tough schedule may have affected their play the last few games.

However, he also thought it was pretty special to make some Yukon hockey history.

“We had a lot of fans; we had the entire provinces and territories. And we all had people at the rink coming up to us and saying how they all were cheering for us, like people from all over. And it was such a cool experience and even just playing with a group of boys it was such a fun, unforgettable thing.”

When asked about how he thought he played, Fummerton replied, “I thought it was pretty good. You can always get better, right? And it’s obviously a big change from playing in Whitehorse. These people are from all over the country playing at all sorts of different levels. So it was pretty cool.”

As for the overall experience, Fummerton said, “A few of us were at the Arctic Winter Games, so it’s kind of just like that, only 10 times bigger. We saw a whole bunch of different events, different people, different provinces.”

Fummerton added playing against players from all over the country was a “surreal experience”.

Up next for the young goalie are the B.C. Provincials in Victoria in a few weeks.

While the Yukon team was setting team records for wins (three) and best ever finish (10th) at the 2023 CWG, Captain Gavin McKenna was setting a record of his own with 29 points (14G, 15A) in six games during the tourney, the most ever.

The Star spoke with McKenna after the showdown with N.L.

“Obviously, Newfoundland’s a good team. We played hard. Obviously some of the boys are tired, well, all of the boys. Six games in four days or whatever it was can catch up to you. I thought we played well all tournament.”

He said setting the record was amazing.

“There has been a lot of amazing hockey players come through this tournament so knowing that is pretty awesome.”

Chayce Tuton became the highest scoring defenceman in men’s hockey at a Games, and Jase Johnstone surpassed Sidney Crosby’s point total at the Games.

As for making Yukon hockey history, McKenna said, “It’s an amazing feeling. I’ve been getting quite a few texts and they’ve all been great texts; support from everywhere. The support from even the families coming down to watch has been unbelievable. And it’s an unbelievable feeling having that title. And especially being from Yukon, coming from such a great place, beautiful territory, it feels amazing to have the Yukon behind you.”

McKenna added the best-ever finish was “a cool thing for Yukon, hopefully inspiring for sure.”

As for his own play, McKenna said, “I thought I played well. I was getting the bounces. I was able to score. My line-mates played really well all week. Our power play was amazing too. So yeah, I can’t give my team enough credit.”

McKenna said compared to the Western Hockey League, which is quite a bit harder to play in, the CWG tourney had “definitely more room, more time with the puck, a bit easier to make plays out here, for sure.”

McKenna said the overall experience of being at the Games has been “amazing” and that Charlottetown is a “cool town.”

“The people are so nice and just to get back with some of my Yukon buddies that I haven’t seen for a while, it’s awesome to reunite with them. I would say the coaches as well, getting to reunite with them. And it’s amazing to be here right now. Obviously it was lucky to have it be our year. So yeah, definitely grateful for this.”

Next up for McKenna is playoffs for his South Alberta Hockey Academy team.

“After that is over, I’ll be up with the (Medicine Hat) Tigers the rest of the year.”

McKenna is expecting to play five games with the Tigers before the playoffs.

“If they make it, I’ll be able to play all of the playoffs.”

McKenna added a thank you to “all the fans for coming out and all the people supporting at home and the whole Yukon. I can’t be more grateful to come from such a nice place and have all these people supporting us – me and the team.”