'This is the time to mark the final countdown.'

OK, so this isn't the 1980s and Piers McDonald isn't the lead singer of Europe, thankfully, but that annoyingly chipper song 'The Final Countdown' has been ringing in my head for the past 24 hours.

Besides, it has some truth to it. On Thursday, McDonald, the president of the Canada Winter Games host society, joined Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie, Northwest Territories Premier Joe Handley and Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik to celebrate 99 days out from the start of the Games.

It's a tradition, said McDonald, to make 99 days out a milestone and start the official countdown with several festivities.

'It's a chance to celebrate where we've come and prepare for where we're going,' he said.

'At times it seems as though the opening ceremony is only a few moments away. So many people have been working very hard for several years to makes these Games a success. I'm sure these final 99 days before the Games will pass quickly.'

In Whitehorse, the celebration began with the premiers' speeches from their respective legislatures Handley and Okalik by satellite hosted by Hockey Night in Canada analyst and former NHLer Kelly Hrudey.

Local athletes Alex McDougall (hockey), Emily Nishikawa (cross-country skiing), Edward Kaye (Special Olympics) and Sean Sheardown (Canada Games alumni) were also present in the legislature.

'You can feel the excitement for the Games growing across the Yukon,' said Fentie. 'The energy that is building for this event is inspiring. All three territories are gearing up to host this major national event.'

One of the more entertaining moments during the event at the legislature occurred when Fentie thanked Hrudey for visiting the Yukon, referring to him as a tremendous goaltender.

'With all due respect mister premier, for your own credibility, you probably don't want to call me a tremendous goaltender anymore,' Hrudey said when he stepped up to the podium, causing laughter throughout the crowd.

It seemed many Yukon residents were inclined to disagree, as dozens turned out for the road hockey game and autograph session with Hrudey and women's hockey sensation Hayley Wickenheiser later in the day.

The two officially opened the Canada Games Volunteer Centre on First Avenue, pointing out the importance of volunteers and amateur sport to those in the crowd.

'I'm a big fan of amateur sports and obviously all of us who ended up becoming professionals were at one time amateurs,' said Hrudey, in an interview earlier this week, pointing out many amateur coaches are volunteers. 'So I fully respect their efforts.'

Hrudey talked about the community he grew up in, a suburb of Edmonton called Elmwood, and how much the dedication of volunteers and parents there helped him in his career.

As a young athlete who dreamed of being a goaltender quite possibly the most expensive position in sports he had most of his equipment donated to him by the community, since his parents didn't have a lot of extra money.

Wickenheiser recalled a volunteer she met at the Games when she was just 12 years old, a man named Tom who she still keeps in touch with to this day.

After the speeches, both athletes donned their winter gear and headed outdoors for a road hockey game with players from the Whitehorse Minor Hockey Association. It was Team Hrudey versus Team Wickenheiser, with locals George Maratos and Serge Michaud providing the commentary.

Fire pits and hot chocolate were provided for spectators of the matchup, as temperatures dipped below - 20 C not including the wind chill.

After three periods of play, the score was tied 2-2 and the game went into a shootout. Both goalies were stellar, making a few big saves, but in the end it was Team Wickenheiser that came out on top.

The autograph session inside the volunteer centre afterward provided Wickenheiser and Hrudey a chance to warm their fingers and toes after the outdoor action, although both insisted they weren't bothered by the cold and could have stayed out on the makeshift rink longer.

'I was really happy actually when I saw the weather like this, cold and snowy,' said Hrudey. 'This is how I grew up in Edmonton playing road hockey. It was meant to be cold and my toes were always frozen and my fingers were always frozen.'

Not quite done with their whirlwind Whitehorse tour, Hrudey and Wickenheiser were whisked up to the Canada Games Centre after dinner to meet with the Yukon's male and female hockey teams for the Games. Wickenheiser drew a crowd when she stepped out on the ice with the female team, skating fast and dropping impressive passes.

On their way out, the hockey stars stopped in both the male and female dressing rooms to offer words of encouragement and emphasize the importance of the Games.

'I owe a lot to the Canada Games because of the experiences I have received over the years through it,' stated Wickenheiser. 'It's a stepping stone, a mini-Olympic environment.

'I didn't know there was women's hockey until the Canada Games. I was just playing with boys. The Games launched my career. It was a huge moment in my life. It was almost like it was meant to be.'

She also recalled the excitement of the event and how much fun it was just to be around the other athletes and soak up the atmosphere.

'Mike Rathje, he's a defenceman in the NHL (Philadelphia). I remember at the opening ceremonies, he carried me in on his shoulders. I was only 12 so I was one of the smallest athletes there and I couldn't see anything. So he carried me. I just remember how excited I was to be there.'

After the Games, Wickenheiser returned to playing boys hockey, but it was just a couple of years later, at the age of 15, that she was named to the women's national team.

'I'm a Canada Games success story, all around.'

While Hrudey never competed at the Canada Games, he said there's a big part of him that wishes he would have had the opportunity at some point.

'Games like this are a real unifying factor, bringing a lot of different regions of the country together. And although you're competing, you're also sharing and learning about new people and new experiences.'

Before retreating to her hotel room for the night to get some much-need rest, Wickenheiser offered parting advice for Yukon athlete competing in next February's Games.

'Enjoy the experience, take a lot of photos. And be proud of the opportunity you've been able to accomplish.'

Having just competed at the Four Nations Cup in Kitchener, Ontario, where Canada took the gold, Wickenheiser was on a flight to Vancouver early this morning for a Western Women's Hockey League game in Abbotsford.

Hrudey will leave Whitehorse for Calgary later this afternoon, so he can get back in time to prepare for Saturday's edition of Hockey Night in Canada.