Phil Mack made history at the USA Sevens in Las Vegas last Friday.

The former Whitehorse resident became just the 29th player to record 50 HSBC Sevens Series appearances – and the first in Canadian history – when he stepped on the field in Sin City.

“Phil is synonymous with the Canada sevens team both through the number of tournaments he has played in and also through the quality of his performances over the years,” Canadian head coach Liam Middleton said in a press release.

“A genuine world class sevens player, he has contributed enormously to the team over a long period of time. It’s a significant and well-deserved milestone for him.”

Mack, who was born in Victoria, made his sevens series debut in Hong Kong more than a decade ago in 2005.

The 30-year-old has registered 956 career points and is looking to become just the 13th player in series history to score more than 1,000 points.

“Just wanted to thank everyone for the support today,” Mack tweeted following his history making feat. “Made the 50th memorable for sure. Big reason why rugby is so great.”

Mack spent six years of his childhood in Whitehorse, after his mother accepted a teaching position at École Whitehorse Elementary.

In 1994, Mack and his older brother and sister made the move to the Yukon capital, where they resided until 2000.

The family lived in Porter Creek, then Riverdale, while Mack attended Christ the King Elementary followed by Vanier Catholic Secondary School.

At that time, he hadn’t yet discovered rugby, but was a soccer standout, playing for local development teams.

River Quest field nearly full with months to go

The Yukon River Quest is on a record-setting pace.

With more than three months left before the race start in Whitehorse, the field has swelled to 98 boats.

The annual paddling race is currently capped at 100 boats.

Currently, the race roster includes four solo canoes, 19 solo kayaks, 12 stand-up paddleboarders, 33 tandem canoes, 13 tandem kayaks and 17 voyageur canoes.

The 2016 Yukon River Quest will be held June 29 to July 3.

The previous high for vessels was in 2008, when 89 teams took part.

Last year’s 715-kilometre paddling odyssey to Dawson City was won by international kayak duo David Hutchison of Montana and Bob Ross of Ontario, who took victory in just less than 45 hours.

Last summer, 57 teams from 12 countries took part in the wilderness adventure race, which sees teams paddle down the Yukon River.

Hoopsters named to all-star teams in Haines

Four Whitehorse basketball players turned in sparkling performances in Haines, Alaska, last weekend.

The Yukon Men’s Basketball League assembled two teams that participated in the Dick Hotch Memorial Men's Basketball Tournament.

While both teams came up short, four players were named to tournament all-star teams.

Big Bigness players Colin LaForme and David Stehelin were both named first-team all-stars while Whitehorse Generals player Christian Coldea and Big Bigness’s Jeremy McCullough earned second team honours.

Karl Gruber of the Generals won the tournament’s sportsmanship award.

Yukon’s Big Bigness squad earned third while the Generals took fifth.

The host Haines Merchants won gold, 98-92 over Juneau's Good Ole Boys.

Regular Whitehorse league action resumes tonight at F.H. Collins Secondary School with the Caulkners (4-12) hosting the Average Joes (7-10) and the Bulls (11-6) clashing with the first place Willey Bears (12-5).