The time has arrived as Dryden is now ready to host the Dudley Hewitt Cup.
Four teams will be in competition, with 500-people expected to converge on the City for the week-long Central Canadian Junior Hockey championship.
Ice Dogs President Mike Sveinson says they are proud to host the event.
Sveinson says they want to showcase Dryden as a central City in northwestern Ontario to successfully host a major event.
He says they want to show that this is a destination community and a tournament centre.
Sveinson says this event is all about Dryden and they have an obligation to do it right.
Calder Cup winner and Dryden native Kevin Raine kicked things off Monday night welcoming all of the teams at an opening banquet at the Centre.
Raine says it’s important for teams to not change things and keep moving forward with the same work ethic and attitude.
He stresses the successful team will “keep their foot on the gas pedal”.
Raine adds he was proud to open the tournament, noting he played with the Ice Dogs as an AP as a 16-year-old.
He says that experience propelled him to the Ontario Hockey League and the London Knights and then on to the pro level.
Raine also made an emotional tribute to fallen friend Pierre Paquin of Dryden.
The first game is 2:30 Tuesday between Cochrane and Thunder Bay.
There will be a tail-gate party outside as well as activities in Rink #2.
