Randy Merkel’s memories of the Whitehorse Huskies’ 1993 Allan Cup win are crystal clear.

The gritty forward – now 53 – said the Huskies never deserved to win that year, but the stars aligned with a favourable schedule and just the right mix of character players to give the team a shot at glory.

The Huskies upset the host Quesnel Kangaroos with a 7-4 victory in 1993, and their winning banner still hangs in Takhini Arena.

“I never even realized what it meant to win the Allan Cup,” Merkel said of the only Yukon club to win Canada’s highest honour for AAA senior hockey. “It’s the highest amateur cup out there. It’s our Stanley Cup.”

Merkel, who coached the Huskies during their last Allan Cup attempt in 2010, says he fully supports the Huskies taking a run at the Coy Cup this winter – awarded annually to B.C.’s senior AA champs.

“AA allows for local content,” Merkel said. “It’s going to take work, it doesn’t just happen, but I hope we do great.

“We’ve never been here before,” Merkel said of the current roster of players. “Lots of local players have returned.

We’ve never had that in my entire hockey life.

“It’s the best opportunity I’ve ever seen. And it ripples down through the whole system and gives everyone something to strive for. I’d love to see senior hockey take a foothold here. This town has the potential to really get behind it.”

While Whitehorse’s 1993 Allan Cup-winning roster was made up of mostly Yukon players, many were transplanted from other areas of the country.

Alongside Merkle, only Jay Glass, Darryl Sturko, Gord Peterson and Ron Servatius still remain in the territory, Merkel said.

The Allan Cup win will always be the highlight of their careers, he added.

“It was as big as it gets,” said Merkle. “It’s so hard to win. ... So many things need to line up and you have to be lucky.”

Current Huskies head coach Mike Tuton said while team strategy will be left to the club’s leadership core, his job will be to manage ice time and dressing room dynamics.

“These guys have all played high-level hockey,” Tuton said in a sit-down interview with the Star yesterday afternoon.

“My job is to keep their eyes on the prize.”

The 38-year-old has familiarity with a number of the Huskies players (see roster, inset) after coaching the Champagne and Aishihik Storm at recent native hockey tournaments.

“This town is hungry for a team like this,” Tuton said. “Everybody I’ve talked to thinks it’s a great idea. They all want to get tickets.

“On paper, this team is the best I’ve seen,” he added. “As a community, we’ve been proud of all of these guys’ careers. People love watching a local team, as long as we put out a good product.”

Tuton fondly remembers senior hockey’s heyday in Whitehorse. He and his family would spend weekends at the rink watching the Kopper King Canadians and Whitehorse Huskies.

“It was a big deal then,” Tuton recalled. “There was always a packed house to watch the team. I remember being a Pat McInroy fan of all people. and there was the (Jr. B) Claim Jumpers, too.”

Tuton said one of his hopes is to establish the Huskies program for multiple years. Not only will the Huskies provide weekend entertainment for local fans, but youngsters currently playing minor hockey will have something to look up to, he said.

“The ball is starting to roll and they’re wanting to practice more now,” Tuton said of his players. “Once they get in front of the home crowd, it’s going to spark something.

“Going forward, guys will want to be a part of this. It’s a win-win for everybody.”

Tuton’s younger brother, Jared, will serve as the team’s captain, while team organizer Clayton Thomas is expected to wear an A on his sweater.

The Huskies will host each of the Fort Nelson Yeti and Powell River Regals for two-game series next month (see schedule, inset).

Regardless of the results, the Huskies will need to face off with the Fort St. John Flyers in early March, with the winner going on to represent B.C. North in the Coy Cup tournament.

That four-team event will take place in Fort Nelson in late March.

NOTES: Tuton said ticket prices for home games are expected to be around $10, with incentives planned for minor hockey players wearing local jerseys. ... Tyke hockey teams are slated to be part of the entertainment during intermissions. ... Both Air North and the Casa Loma Hotel have reportedly agreed to support the team.

TEAM SCHEDULE

Jan. 9: Fort Nelson Yeti @ Whitehorse Huskies, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 10: Fort Nelson Yeti @ Whitehorse Huskies, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 30: Powell River Regals @ Whitehorse Huskies, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 31: Powell River Regals @ Whitehorse Huskies, 7:15 p.m.

*All games will be held at Takhini Arena

TEAM ROSTER (PRELIMINARY)

Forwards: Evan Campbell, Kane Dawe, Ryan Gleason, Adam Henderson, Derek Klassen, Gibson Pearson, Aaron Pettitt, Drew Pettitt, Robbie Stuckey, Clayton Thomas, Rob Warner.

Defence: Chuck Hombert, Tim MacIntosh, Simon Nugent, Jon Rudolph, Jared Tuton (captain).

Goalies: Brian Power, Rob Young.

Coach: Mike Tuton.