Dawson City resident John Flynn is one of two new directors named to the Arctic Winter Games International Committee on Monday.

The Arctic Winter Games is the largest multisport cultural event in the circumpolar North.

Flynn, 59, replaces the recently-retired committee president, Gerry Thick of Whitehorse.

Joining Flynn on the board will be Jeff Jacobson of Fairbanks, who replaces Wendell Shiffler as an Alaska director.

Flynn participated in seven Arctic Winter Games as an athlete and coach, beginning with the 1974 event in Anchorage, Alaska.

He currently manages a successful mining business in the Klondike, and is a member of the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation.

“John will be a great resource to the committee because of his experience as a participant and the volunteer roles he has played in rural Yukon,” said Shiffler, the committee’s outgoing nominations chair.

Flynn is well known as a hockey player, and was inducted into the Yukon Sport Hall of Fame in 2012.

The long-time minor hockey coach helped organize the 1997 Dawson City Nuggets re-enactment of the original 1905 challenge for the Stanley Cup.

Prior to that, he was known as a star snowshoe biathlon athlete, winning 13 Arctic Winter Games medals over a 15-year span. Nine were golds.

In an interview today, Flynn said he is hoping to use his position to inspire youth from rural Yukon to pursue their dreams.

“Being from a small community, I understand the hardships of the young people trying to get onto teams coming from, as we call, the big city of Whitehorse,” he said.

“I always loved the Arctic Winter Games, and just want all of the young people to be involved in any way possible. I will try my best to promote that.”

Thick, 70, retired last month after spending 30 years on the committee – including 20 as president.

Jacobson was born and raised in Alaska, and most recently served as president of the 2014 Fairbanks Arctic Winter Games Host Society.

A teacher for more than 30 years, Jacobson is currently the chief of staff for Fairbanks’ North Star Borough.

“Jeff’s exceptional understanding of the goals of the Arctic Winter Games and his positive leadership style helped Fairbanks host one of the most successful Games in recent memory,” said Shiffler. “His experience and enthusiasm will be a great asset to the committee.”

The next Arctic Winter Games will take place in Nuuk, Greenland, March 6 to 12, 2016, but will feature a smaller athlete contingent than usual, as six sports cannot be hosted due to a lack of ice facilities.

The Games include participation from Alaska, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Northern Alberta, Nunavut, Greenland, Nunavik (Quebec), Yamal (Russia) and Sápmi.