It won't be long before some of the Yukon's finest hockey stars are re-lacing their skates and back on the ice.

Players who were born in 1994 or later will have the opportunity to participate in the second season of the Whitehorse Summer Hockey League.

This year's league is made up of four teams: Cinderwood Kitchens, EBA Engineering, Casa Loma and Ketza Construction, which all are returning sponsors. Casa Loma won the title in 2008.

"There's no way it would run without those guys agreeing to sponsor each team," said said league organizer and former Whitehorse Mustangs coach Joe Martin.

"Not only are they supplying jerseys for the team, but they are also coming up with some cash to cut the overhead costs down. That it makes it affordable for younger players, which is what this is designed for, to keep their hockey skills up."

The league starts up in the first week of July and will run for at the least one month.

Martin said the number of participants will determine whether it attempts to extend the season into August.

Two game nights will be offered each week on Monday and Wednesday evenings. All games are going to be played at the Canada Games Centre.

In 2008, almost 70 per cent of league was made up of minor hockey, junior hockey and post-secondary hockey players. The remaining players were adults that were just in it for fun, Martin said.

"Some of them are dads of these guys and it's a chance for them to skate with their sons," he said. "It's not as competitive as winter hockey, but it's something that keeps guys in shape and it's just a lot of fun."

The rules used are similar to the ones in the Whitehorse Recreational Hockey League. Game's feature two periods of play each at 25 minutes. There is also no body checking allowed.

Martin, who is the head coach of the Creston Valley Thunder Cats, said shootouts will also be used to avoid ties.

All of the teams qualify for the playoffs, with the top squad taking on the fourth and second meeting third. The two winners then meet up in the final, Martin said.

Registration is going to be held mid -to late June. Martin said a maximum of 70 people can register, however if there is a enough interest he hasn't ruled out increasing the number of teams to five.

The purpose of the 70 player cap is to ensure all participants get enough playing time, Martin said.

"We don't want to fill up the teams maximum rosters and nobody gets enough ice time to develop, he said. "We want to make sure we get the appropriate people the right ice time to have a good summer and go out and hopefully make a junior hockey team, unless they are there for the fun.

It's kind of whatever you desire, that's what we are trying to hit."

Former players in the league include Ted Stephens, Jared Tuton, Rob Warner, Kane Dawe, Robbie Stuckey, Joe Densmore, Evan Campbell and Adam Henderson.

Interested players can contact Martin at joecjmartin@hotmail.com.