It’s that time of year again hockey fans. The Yukon Native Hockey Tournament begins Friday bringing 43 teams and their contingent of fans to Whitehorse. The three-day tournament will take over the Canada Game Centre rinks and Takhini Arena.

Yukon First Nations Hockey Association president Michelle Dawson-Beattie said people can expect some intense hockey.

“The competition level is really high,” said Dawson-Beattie. “There are rivalries that happen all year and as soon as January comes around the rivalry gets bigger. If you win the tournament you get bragging rights all year until the next one. The stakes are pretty high for all the teams.”

Dawson-Beattie said the six divisions, A, B, C, youth, old-timers, and jamboree filled up the day the registration opened.

“We have players from across Canada coming,” said Dawson-Beattie. “It is really great to see how this tournament has grown in the 42 years it’s been going.”

The A division will feature five teams this year growing from the three or four the tournament usually sees.

“That is probably the highest caliber hockey we have in the tournament,” said Dawson-Beattie. “It’s great hockey, it’s fast hockey.”

The B division will have seven teams and Dawson-Beattie said the division is getting really competitive. The C division will feature a first for the tournament.

“We have an all girls, all women’s team,” said Dawson-Beattie.

“This is a first ever for this tournament. We have had it in the youth or the jamboree, the younger kids, but this is an all ladies team. That is super exciting four our tournament it is a huge milestone for us.”

Dawson-Beattie said the tournament is about much more than hockey.

“Hockey is just something that brings everyone together, it is much more than hockey,” said Dawson-Beattie. “You get to see your family and friends from far and wide. It is a gathering of nations and a great excuse for everyone to get together. In my opinion, everyone is very proud of it.”

Dawson-Beattie watched her dad and brother play in the tournament.

She got involved to be able to see the joy the hockey brings to the youth players.

“For some of the kids who are maybe from the communities this is the highest level they may play in their hockey career or any sport career,” said Dawson-Beattie. “When their face lights up because they are playing in front of their friends, their mom, dad, aunties, uncles, it makes it all worth it.”

The tournament website says it is the largest annual sporting event North of 60 and is one of the most anticipated social events hosted in Whitehorse. Dawson-Beattie said there is nothing else like it.

If you want to be a part of the action the opening ceremonies are Friday at Takhini Arena.

The tournament packs the action into three days. The C division kicks off the tournament Friday with the Slyck Stars taking on the Ice Devils at 7 a.m. Day passes are $15 and a tournament pass is $30.