The Yukon Rivermen will step onto the ice tonight for the first game of their inaugural season.

The new Bantam Tier 1 team consisting of 19 players born between 2003-2004 will play their first series at Takhini Arena.

Playing in a new B.C. Hockey League zone program, the team is scheduled to play a 30 game season — 18 of those at home — against six other teams.

As well as the league season, the Rivermen also plan to play in Tier 1 tournaments including a tournament in Vernon, B.C. from Nov. 24-26.

Head coach Martin Lawrie said the team will be tested right off the bat going up against the Thompson Jr. Blazers, noted as the top team heading into the season.

“We’re anticipating a fairly good crowd for Friday night’s game and then on top of it all it’s Thompson coming in which is apparently the top team in the league going into the season,” Lawrie said following a team practice Monday night.

The team will start the season at the maximum 19-player limit with two goalies, seven defencemen and 10 forwards.

Joining the players from Whitehorse, Lawrie said the team has two defencemen from B.C. with Se McMenanmin from Fort St. John and Layton Feist from Dawson Creek.

Puck drop tonight is set for 6:30 p.m. at Takhini Arena.­­

Game schedule

Friday, October 27
Rivermen vs. Thompson Jr. Blazers, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 28
Rivermen vs. Blazers, 1:15 p.m.

Sunday, October 29
Rivermen vs. Blazers, 11:00 a.m.

All games at Takhini Arena

Next home series

Dec. 1-3 vs. South Zone
Knights @ Takhini Arena