The Big Six Hockey League is getting ready to hit the ice as the first game of the season kicks off this week.
The Canrduff Red Devils will be hitting the road to face off against the Midale Mustangs, with the puck dropping at 8 p.m.
That game on Friday will be the first of a hopefully great season, with League President Craig Barber saying teams are preparing for the start of the season.
"I think everybody's just trying to get their feet going and get everybody in the lineup and, you know, cause 30 men rosters, everybody's got to get enough games in for playoffs and stay healthy."
This year eight teams will be duking it out across the southeast, including the newcomer Kipling Oil Kings.
Barber says that having eight teams does make the organizing a bit easier for the league.
"It kind of makes a little easier now because it used to be, when there was only 10 teams or nine teams, you had to get the games in for playoffs. Now they still got to get the games in, but it doesn't really affect them too much when they're all in play."
With teams looking to either reclaim or keep hold of the top title, Barber says that there'll be some good competition this year.
"I haven't seen hardly any rosters, only a couple of teams, because there's only two teams playing this weekend. But I think there's going to be a really good group of teams. Again, they're battling for the top. I think every night one team can beat the other. I think that's good for our league."
Barber is looking forward to some of the teams getting into their matches this year as teams will see quite a bit of each other.
"I think there's always some rivalry games when they get the towns that are close together. You get a little drive and the weather always is a big deal for people to come out and watch hockey. But I think there's lots of rivalries from team to team."
Barber encourages local residents to head out and watch some of the Big Six games this year.