Whitehorse Huskies take on Powell River Regals tonight

The Whitehorse Huskies are lacing up their skates once again tonight and Saturday for a two-game exhibition series against the Powell River Regals.

The Whitehorse Huskies are lacing up their skates once again tonight and Saturday for a two-game exhibition series against the Powell River Regals.

The Regals have once again made the trip up to the Yukon to take on the Huskies.

The difference this time is both teams have developed into what they will take to the Allan Cup playoffs.

The carding deadline for AAA hockey teams is Feb. 10, which means coach Randy Merkel will have to make his final decisions after this weekend’s series.

Merkel said that practice has been going great, even though the attendance is at about half with a few players out of town at the moment.

“The guys that have been coming out (to practice), we’ve been working hard,” he said.

This weekend’s game will feature all of Merkel’s imported players, who have joined the remaining local talent.

Merkel said the 25 cards that will make up the final Huskies team after Feb. 10 is half local, and half Outside players.

Another exciting aspect to the games that start tonight, is the Huskies will finally be hitting the ice with their brand new team uniforms.

“The Huskies will have their uniforms, thanks to the Roadhouse Grill,” Merkel said.

Other supporters of the team include Northern Vission Development, Air North, Cardinal Contracting, Super A and Tuya Construction.

“We’re still trying to get some more people to come forward,” Merkel said.

Since the club has moved from a private ownership situation to a non-profit organization, they will be relying on fans to come out and support the team.

“The Huskies really need the local support this time around,” Merkel said. “We really need to have fan support.”

The coach said the continuation of the team in Whitehorse is great for local businesses.

“This type of program is really good for the economy,” he said. “I think it’s something that would be really valuable to the community.”

Merkel added that this is the highest level of hockey that can be played in Whitehorse.

“People love good hockey,” he said.

Merkel is hoping the program will continue past this season.

The two games this weekend will help Merkel see exactly what the team will facing for the Allan Cup.

“This will give us a good measuring stick for what we’re going to have to do,” he said.

Both games start at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $12. Any Whitehorse Minor Hockey players who wear their jerseys to the games will get in for half price.

In March the Huskies will be hosting the Fort St. John Flyers, and a hockey legend may be making the trip with the team.

Theo Fleury has signed with the team for this season, and Merkel said he may be joining his teammates in time for the Whitehorse games.

“He’s probably going to be out for that,” Merkel said.