Memorial hockey tournament in Fort Smith, N.W.T., to honour Joel Tetso

The first-ever Joel Tetso Memorial Hockey Tournament will be held in Fort Smith, N.W.T., next month as part of the 2025 Wood Buffalo Frolics Festival. It will bring together teams from across the region, including two from Tetso's home community of Délı̨nę, N.W.T.

The tournament, which is set to happen March 14 to 16, was created to honour Tetso, who died in a plane crash in January 2024. He was a longtime hockey player, and a devoted father, husband and friend who left a lasting impact on those around him.

Tetso's wife, Bev Chepelsky, says hockey was a huge part of his life, so the tournament is a perfect tribute, as his love for the sport shaped his friendships, family, and community.

If he wasn't playing hockey, Chepelsky said, Tetso was watching hockey or playing mini-stick with his kids, whom he tried to take to as many NHL games as possible.

"If you didn't play hockey with him, you spoke hockey," she said. 

The tournament will feature two divisions: Old Timers for players 35 and older, and a rec division for those 16 and older. It costs $700 for a team to register. Chepelsky says youth prospect games for U11 and U13 players will run between tournament matchups.

"Hockey was always a family thing for Joel," said Chepelsky. "Having the younger kids play in the prospect games was so important. It keeps that spirit alive."

Tetso's three children will also play in the tournament. His oldest son will play in the Rec division and youngest son and daughter in the prospect games.

Chepelsky said her husband's love for hockey started early. He grew up playing in Délı̨nę, known as the "birthplace of hockey," and was a proud original member of the Délı̨nę Braves. He encouraged his children to play early on and even built a backyard rink he was always ready to play on.

When COVID-19 shut down access to the local arena, Tetso built a bigger backyard rink so his kids and their friends could still play. When NHL games were shut down, he found old playoff games from the '90s on YouTube to watch instead.

"Joel's enthusiasm for hockey touched everybody that knew him," Chepelsky said. "Throughout my entire knowing of Joel, hockey was a very common theme."

Tetso didn't just pass down his love of hockey to his children. He also encouraged Chepelsky to join the local women's league and gave her the confidence to get on the ice.

"I had zero ice hockey experience," she said. "But he set me up with gear and encouraged me to join, and so I did."

It's now that team — the Fort Smith Fury — that has been a vital support system for Chepelsky as she's navigated her grief over the last year. The team continues to step up, she said, when it comes to organizing the upcoming tournament.

"A huge shout out to [the team]," she said. "These ladies have really committed to helping make my kids' and my vision come to life, and I am very privileged to share ice with these ladies."

A significant highlight of the tournament for Chepelsky is the participation of two teams from Tetso's hometown. The Délı̨nę Braves and the Délı̨nę Chiefs will make the journey to Fort Smith to compete.

"That was part of our vision, and my heart is full knowing that they are going to make the trek and come and honour Joel this way," she said.

Longtime friend Aaron Mackeinzo said the connection is particularly meaningful for the Braves. The Braves started when he and Tetso were Bantam-age players, with Tetso's father as their coach.

"As soon as we heard about it [the memorial tournament], we said, 'we're going.' No questions asked," Mackeinzo said.

He said this tournament is about more than just hockey. It's a chance to honour a lifelong friend. He and Tetso grew up together in Délı̨nę and later moved to Fort Smith to attend the Western Arctic Leadership Program.

Even when life took them in different directions, Mackeinzo said, Tetso was always someone he could count on.

"I'm just gonna miss the memories we had together, the hockey, the laughs, especially the outdoor stuff," he said. "He's gonna be truly missed.

"We'll be there for Joel. And hopefully, we bring home a 'W' for him, too."