Today's the big day.

The NHL players currently on tour in the Arctic arrived at Erik Nielsen Whitehorse International Airport today at noon, in preparation of their much-hyped charity game scheduled for tonight at Takhini Arena. Game time is 6:30 p.m.

The four-day tour began with a game Sunday night in Yellowknife, N.W.T, and ends tonight here in the Yukon capital.

Ten NHL players – the majority Ottawa Senators – spent Monday enjoying a cultural day in the remote community of Deline, the birthplace of hockey. There they experienced a variety of Northern activities including hunting, dancing and dogsledding. Players were also given the chance to skate on the historic outdoor ice in Deline, where skating with sticks was first recorded in 1825.

Last night, the players faced off in Inuvik, a town located 200 km north of the Arctic Circle for the second of three games scheduled on the tour. The Roy Sugloo Ipana Memorial Arena, which seats approximately 350 people, quickly sold out.

"Thank you Inuvik NWT for a great night of hockey. Much appreciated by all of us NHLers,” tweeted Jordin Tootoo following the match.

Tootoo, of Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, is the pride of the north, and the headliner of the current charity tour.

The 29-year-old forward is a fearsome bodychecker who signed with the Detroit Red Wings this summer.

He scored a hat trick in front of a sold-out Yellowknife crowd in his first game back in the territorial capital in 17 years.

Tonight, he leads a group cobbled together by tour organizer John Chabot into Whitehorse. While the group does not represent the star power organizers had originally hoped for, the players on tour still represent the top level of professional hockey in the world.

Senators players Chris Neil, Chris Phillips, Craig Anderson and Guillaume Latendresse are well-known entities in hockey circles.

Originally, Chabot had hoped players such as Daniel Alfredsson, Brian Gionta and Mike Fisher would also be on tour.

"The citizens of Whitehorse and its surrounding communities will truly enjoy the rare opportunity to see a collection of NHL players up close in their local arena,” Chabot said last week.

Minor hockey president Carl Burgess worked hard to bring the tour to the Yukon, and encouraged residents to make it out to the big game.

"Everyone wants a show,” he told the Star. "We're going to give them a show. We're really going to ham it up.”

Due to the low number of NHL players on tour, the format of tonight's game has changed to feature local hockey stars alongside the professionals.

In order to allow the NHL players a chance to rest between shifts, members of the Whitehorse Mustangs rep teams and local recreation league will have an opportunity to spell them off.

"Fans will get a chance to see local athletes play in front of a packed house while the marquee thoroughbreds are given a break,” Burgess said.

"Everyone is completely excited. We're encouraging everyone to come out and be the hosts we know we can be.”

The festivities will get underway tonight at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for general seating.

Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item for the Whitehorse Food Bank.

The game will feature a pre-game ceremony including mayor Dan Curtis and Minister of Community Services and deputy premier Elaine Taylor.

Various contests and activities will be held between periods, food will be available on the upper mezzanine, and the beer gardens will be open.

Tickets have not yet sold out and organizers are estimating there will be 150 still available at the door.

"We don't recommend that option, however,” Burgess stressed.

Tickets are still available at Sport Yukon and Sportslife until 4 p.m.

Burgess said that while there are a variety of fantastic professionals helping this event run smoothly, it has largely been a volunteer-run event.

"I'm so proud of this WMHA board right now,” he said.

Burgess hopes the game will act as a precursor to another large-scale event approaching on the local hockey calendar – Hockey Day in Whitehorse.

The Whitehorse Mustangs will be the feature attraction at Takhini Arena Dec. 1, when they host the Aldergrove Bruins.

"Hockey's here for those that want to watch it,” Burgess said.

The NHL players will be back at the Whitehorse airport tomorrow morning, heading home following a tour full of memories and unique experiences.

The Whitehorse game will benefit the local food bank and minor hockey association, as well as Chabot's First Assist charity.