The announcement that the Whitehorse Huskies will compete on home ice at Takhini Arena is good news for the city’s hockey community, but the benefits extend far beyond that, city council heard Monday evening.

Dan Johnson, the team’s general manager, addressed council on the tournament and the arena rental cost it has asked the city to provide through its 2017 operating budget, a subsidy that would total $6,355.

“It’s a pretty important event for the Yukon,” Johnson said.

Over the course of five days, from March 28 to April 1, 2017, four teams, including the Huskies, will compete for the Coy Cup – the B.C. Senior AA Amateur Hockey Championship.

As Johnson pointed out, this will mark the first time the Coy Cup is hosted outside of B.C.

It’s an opportunity for the team to compete on home ice for a major championship.

Nearly all members of the team grew up in the territory and have returned after junior hockey and/or university careers, with only one member of the team coming in from Outside, he said.

The team has also worked to promote the sport with Yukon youth, travelling to Haines Junction for a hockey camp and working with Special Olympics and minor hockey on a number of fronts.

“... so many of the local minor hockey players look up to the Huskies as role models,” Johnson said.

“Hosting this championship will provide continued inspiration for them that they can play a high level of hockey in Whitehorse after minor hockey, and also allow them the hope that one day they can compete for a championship in their hometown.”

He noted the city’s help with renting the arena would go a long way to helping the Huskies focus on their work with local youth.

Beyond those benefits, Johnson pointed out the impact hosting the championship can have on the city, particularly in the off-season for tourism.

Along with the other four teams and coaches, there are often fans who come to take in the Coy Cup games.

It’s estimated that between the teams, officials and fans, Whitehorse will see another 100 to 120 people in the city, staying in hotels, eating at local restaurants and so on.

The entire event is expected to generate about $436,000 in the community, with $283,000 of that being “new money” coming from visitors.

The remaining $153,000 would be local spending, such as hiring local designers for marketing materials.

It’s expected the Huskies would spend about $80,000 on hosting the Coy Cup. Most of that would come from ticket and beer garden sales, though the team has also applied for funding from the territory.

While it’s not yet known whether the city will provide the rental cost, members were quick to congratulate the team on hosting the championship games and note their appreciation for what the Huskies have done.

“We appreciate the hard work you’re doing,” said Mayor Dan Curtis, echoing the sentiments of other council members who spoke after Johnson’s presentation.

The Huskies may learn next week when the 2017 operating budget is scheduled to be unveiled whether the city is likely to assist with the cost of the arena rental.

The budget will have to go through three readings before it is adopted.