For ex-NHLer John Chabot, there's nothing like a trip to the North to make you appreciate the game of hockey, and how much it means to Canadians.

'It kind of hits home how big hockey is,' smiled Chabot, who was visiting Whitehorse this past weekend for the annual Yukon native hockey tournament. 'Hockey is everywhere. It's amazing how big it is. Especially in Canada and especially in the North.'

Chabot made the trip north along with former NHLers Gino Odjick and Victor Mercredi. And while their playing styles may be different, their messages for the youth are very similar.

'It's just talking to the kids about the importance of decision making, and how decisions can affect the rest of your life,' said Chabot, who spends a lot of his time travelling to communities across Canada when he's not working as an assistant coach for the Gatineau (Hull) Olympiques of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The message from Odjick is simple.

'Do something you like to do, pursue your dreams and make sure to work hard at it,' he said. 'I wanted to prove people wrong. First Nations aren't lazy, and if you give them a chance they can be just as good.'

The three ex-NHLers were in Fort McPherson, N.W.T., last week where they hooked up with the Gwitchin Nation hockey team for the Yukon trip.

Odjick, who owns a golf course in Vancouver, made his first trip to the Yukon. The former Canuck didn't have much time to see the territory his team, the Old Crow/Air North Jets, played three games a day starting at 8 a.m. He hopes to return sometime in a more relaxed atmosphere, where he can actually get out and see the land.

'It's been fun,' he said, though admitting he was a little bit tired and quite sore. 'The hockey's been really good. It's been nice to get out and see some new country.'

'It' really nice,' said Chabot, who played for the Fort McPherson team, about his first time in the territory. 'I'm really enjoying my time up here.

'It's beautiful country, different than anywhere else in Canada. The people are friendly. I've had nothing but good experiences here.'

While Odjick was busy winning hockey games, Chabot and Mercredi held a hockey clinic for 32 kids playing in the youth division of the native hockey team at Takhini Arena on Saturday, followed by a meet and greet.

Chabot said the most important thing to teach the youth is to really enjoy the game. He said too many players aren't enjoying themselves on the ice, and pointed out it can be the parents who make it that way.

'Why go out there and chastise a child who's out there doing what he loves and trying his best?' he asked. 'Instead of the traditional coaching methods of yelling and discipline, we (Chabot and Mercredi) are always positive. We try to get back to a pat on the back instead of a kick in the behind.'

While Chabot puts in a lot of hours running clinics and speaking to youth, he said it's all worth it.

'It's very rewarding,' he said. 'Sometimes you go on the ice for four to six hours, but it's all worth it. Even if it's just one child that you change his outlook, that's great. In a small community, they really need that.

'We're looking for that one child or group of kids who are going to make that change, start making good decisions.'

Mercredi, who has been to the Yukon for previous native hockey tournaments, said he takes part in the clinics because it's a lot of fun.

'There was always someone there for me when I was a kid,' he said. 'I do it because I love hockey. It's great.'

Odjick said he was influenced by Chabot and Ted Nolan when he was a young child in Maniwaki, Que., and they spoke at his school, and he hopes to have the same influence.

'The northern communities are isolated, so it makes it tough for kids to play high calibre hockey,' he said. 'I tell them be prepared and get the right amount of sleep. Drugs and alcohol are not going to help them do anything. They just cause problems.'

Chabot said the youth need to know there are avenues they can take.

'They don't realize, I've done it, Gino's done it, we all came from small communities in the middle of nowhere. It's just that perseverance. Never give up on yourself. If you give up on it, it's never going to help.

'The biggest thing is the belief in oneself.'

The reality is kids who want to pursue hockey professionally will have to leave home sooner or later, no matter where they live. Chabot said it's just a matter of realizing what works best for you.

'Sometimes, their best interest is to stay home,' he said. 'Other times, it's to go and play, and hopefully realize a dream.'

And in his talks with youth, Chabot, who finished off his professional hockey career in Europe, likes to stress leaving home can give you chances you may never have otherwise.

'I've seen the world because of hockey,' he said appreciatively. 'I tell the kids, I was the luckiest guy. I got paid to see the world.'