The Whitehorse Huskies season has been salvaged, thanks to some diligent work by general manager Matt King.

The squad, sponsored by Nuway Crushing Ltd., will open play against the Whitecourt Wild Dec. 12 and 13.

The senior AA team plays in Alberta’s North Central Senior Hockey League.

The team has opened the current season on a 1-6 run.

The Saturday game will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Takhini Arena with the Sunday game going at 4:15.

King said the club is also closing in on an agreement on a second home series versus the North Island Capitals out of Port Hardy, B.C.

That two-game series is expected to take place in early January.

Further discussions are taking place with the Powell River Regals on a home-and-home series.

“It’s been a bit of a scramble, to be honest, with Fort Nelson having folded for the year,” King said of the process. “It’s been a matter of basically calling all the teams in western Canada and making some deals.”

The Fort Nelson Yeti folded for the season late last month. The B.C. club was the Huskies’ main rival last season.

Thanks to the generosity of their sponsors, the Huskies will pay travel and accommodation fees for their opponents in order to get them to and from Whitehorse.

“The teams from down south are in leagues. They’re playing games. They don’t need to come up here,” King explained. “But one of the selling features is it’s an opportunity to come see the Yukon.

“We’ve had a lot of really great support so far from local businesses, and we really appreciate everybody that’s stepped up to help with senior hockey this year.”

The Huskies originally had ice booked at Takhini Arena for Dec. 11 and 12, but had to rejig slightly in order to welcome their new opponents.

King said this would not have been possible without the help of local rec and old-timer league officials.

The Huskies need to play six sanctioned games in order to qualify for the Coy Cup playdowns.

The 2016 Coy Cup tournament will be held in Terrace, B.C., in March.

In lieu of games, members of the Huskies continue to train together once a week in the Yukon capital.

“Everyone’s working hard and the team’s looking good,” King said. “We’ll definitely be able to skate with these teams. ... We should have some entertaining games.”

The Huskies finished last season with an 8-0 record before losing to the eventual Coy Cup champion Fort St. John Flyers in the playoffs.

For team sponsorship opportunities and ticket information, visit www.whitehorsehuskies.com.