The ice is in the rinks around the Northwest and the Saskatchewan Prairie Hockey League is set to start its second season.
This year the number of teams has double from the inaugural year, as Cut Knife, Perdue, Hafford and Glaslyn have joined Battleford, Maymont, Radisson and Saulteaux.
Some of the teams started the regular season this weekend, but one special game many should attended is on the schedule for Dec. 2 at Battleford Arena.
The Battleford Beaver Blues and Cut Knife Colts will face off in the Beaver Blues' home opener. Both are teams Mike Whitwell played senior hockey with - the Beaver Blues last season and years ago he was in Cut Knife when they played in the North Saskatchewan River Hockey League. After Whitwell's tragic passing this summer, Whitewell's teammates decided they should honour him as a teammate and a friend once the hockey season gets started.
The Beaver Blues will honour his memory by retiring his number 36 in a presentation before the game.
