The gallery at the Yukon Legislature was filled with pee wee boys and girls hockey players clad in their jersey’s as they were given tribute before the question period Tuesday.

The Whitehorse Peewee Mustangs were paid tribute for their successful season. The team struck gold early in their season winning in Coquitlam. Most recently, the team won the gold medal in the B.C. Championships peewee tier three division on Vancouver Island.

The Mustangs defeated Powell River 9-2 to win the third medal ever for a Yukon team at the B.C. Championships. It was the first medal ever by a pee wee team.

The North Stars were a team of pee wee girls that was put together to compete in two tournaments. The team featured players from Whitehorse and the communities.

In November, the North Stars got their first win taking gold in the Wickfest tournament in Calgary. Their last win was at the 22nd Annual Ice Hockey Classic Female Hockey Tournament in Richmond. The North Stars downed Juan de Fuca 4-3 in overtime to win their second gold of the season.

The Yukon was well represented in Richmond as the Female Mustangs earned silver and the atom team made it to the semifinal - it was the first time a female atom team had travelled to the tournament.

The first to pay tribute to the two teams was the MLA Ranj Pillai on behalf of the Yukon Liberal government.

“Mr. Speaker, the young people in the gallery today make us all proud as Yukoners. They play hockey for fun, for recreation, and to spend time with their friends. Some of them may go on and continue to play and represent the Yukon,” said Pillai in his tribute speech. “Both this men’s team and women’s team have done a phenomenal job in how they placed in BC…”

He continued with a message to the players.

“What I would say to the children is: Dream big, and remember that, with hard work and dedication, absolutely so many things are possible. But I guess the most important thing to remember is that all of those people who are sitting with you today — the ones who get up an hour before you each morning and drive from Watson Lake and Carmacks — they play such an important role in making all this happen for you — so as much congratulations to the parents as to the coaches and to the players.”

Wade Istchenko on behalf of the Yukon Party Official Opposition and the Third Party also paid tribute to the players.

“Hockey continues to grow here in the Yukon. There are so many opportunities to play competitive hockey, both in the Yukon and Outside,” said Istchenko in his speech. “We continue to see our home-grown talent, and we look forward to seeing just how far our players can go.”

Mustangs’ coach Derek Johnstone said this is something the kids can look back on fondly.

“I think this is the first time for this young group that’s been involved or been invited to the legislature,” said Johnstone.

“It’s a tribute to the handwork the parents, coaches, players have put it.

“Just sitting there thinking about it the kids will look back and remember this, that it is something special that isn’t done every day. It is something they will hang onto.”

The Mustangs, with their winter season over, are now transitioning to their spring season. Johnstone said this was a nice way to cap it off the winter.

Both Pillai and Istchenko recognized in their speeches the growth of female hockey in the territory.

“It is definitely nice to hear,” said Tobler. “I think over the last couple of years Hockey Yukon and Whitehorse Minor has made a lot of strides in developing female programming and growing the female game. Across Canada, it is the biggest development for growth in hockey.”

Tobler said since the season is over communication has been via email but the girls seemed too be excited to get the invite to the legislature.

“They seemed to be excited to be here and the experience was very new,” said Tobler. “I think they were glad to be included, especially with a boys team that did tremendously this year. To be included with them is quite special to them.”

This year, Tobler said, was probably the most successful year the team has had. He said that getting the tribute was a nice way to cap the season and continue to motivate the girls.

“It definitely was a cherry on top,” said Tobler. “All these girls are planning on playing hockey next year. I think a lot has to do with the experience they had in the last couple of years being able to play as a group and do well and succeed, I think has helped them for hockey.”