Players on the PeeWee Mustangs are hoping to continue what has been a blazing start to the season at this year's Silvertips hockey tournament in Salmon Arm, B.C.

The tournament in Salmon Arm will be the first Outside competition for the Mustangs squad, which currently is undefeated in the Whitehorse Minor Hockey League's bantam division with five wins and one tie.

"(The tournament) it's kind of like an ice breaker, just gets the kids used to the full body contact," said PeeWee Mustangs coach Kerry Pettitt.

"They get to know what to expect. We'll make mistakes, we'll learn from them and we'll be better for the next tournament."

The tier two competition kicks off on Friday and features 12 teams in total, which will be divided up into three divisions. The Mustangs are in division two along with Chilliwack, Quesnel and Burnaby.

The PeeWee Mustangs will play in a round robin format on Friday and Saturday and are guaranteed at least one additional contest on Sunday.

Pettitt said the team's great start in the bantam league is reassuring heading into the competition in Salmon Arm.

With eight returning players on the PeeWee Mustangs roster this season, the team has benefitted from some additional experience.

Pettitt said the team has added depth up front this season with all three lines.

"Our first line for sure I would say is easily AAA calibre and then it slowly filters down, but the other two lines are improving every game."

This season, the team has been focusing more attention on individual skill development, which includes skating with and without the puck, as well as passing, shooting and defensive play.

Pettitt said this year's team isn't quite as strong in the defensive end as the one in 2007-08, adding last year's squad had a total of four returning players on the blueline. The current PeeWee Mustangs team has only one second-year blueliner.

Pettitt said the squad recognizes the importance of playing sound defence.

"It makes the game a lot easier if you can play a tight defence and keep the other team away," he said. "It's just the nature of the game that we hope to instill in these guys."

The PeeWee Mustangs also have two new goaltenders, who Pettitt said, are both working out really well so far this season.

"They are both are real competitors and want to win every game that they are in, so it's good," he said. "They are working hard at their game."

Pettitt said the team will use the Salmon Arm tournament as a measuring stick for the rest of the season and hopes to win a couple of games in the process.