Northwestel and Latitude Wireless are working together with the Yukon Amateur Hockey Association to give Yukoners two nights of exciting junior hockey league play. The companies are Diamond Sponsors of the Northwestel/Latitude Wireless Yukon Hockey Challenge, which is bringing two Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Junior B games to Whitehorse this week.

“The Fernie Ghostriders and the Creston Valley Thundercats are the top two teams in the league, which will make for some exciting play,” said Walter Brennan, an organizer of the challenge. “There are also several Yukon connections that will add interest for Yukon hockey fans. The Thundercats feature three Yukon hockey players and the team’s coach lives in Whitehorse each summer and has been involved with Yukon hockey in the past. We’re all very excited to be bringing this level of high calibre hockey to Whitehorse.”

The two teams will play at Takhini Arena in Whitehorse, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.

“Northwestel and Latitude Wireless take great pride and pleasure in supporting the enjoyment and development of sports such as the great Canadian game of hockey,” said Paul Flaherty, Northwestel President and Chief Executive Officer. “Bringing two Junior B hockey games to Whitehorse is a great opportunity for Yukon hockey fans of all ages to watch excellent hockey up close. It’s also a wonderful way for our young hockey players to see the Yukon players in action and become inspired about the opportunities that could be open to them as well.”

The Yukon Amateur Hockey Association is organizing the challenge, which is also a test event for the association’s application to host the World U-17 Hockey Championships 2013 in Whitehorse.

“Northwestel and Latitude Wireless are committed to helping to make the North a better place to live, work and play,” added Flaherty. “If this week’s games can assist the Yukon Amateur Hockey Association to win its bid to host the 2013 Championships, it would bring many benefits for Yukoners. International events such as the 2013 tournament can bring many visitors to the Yukon who might not otherwise have a chance to come. It’s a great opportunity to introduce the Yukon as a travel destination to people from all around the world. We are pleased to do what we can to assist in this effort.”

Tickets for this week’s games are available at Sport Yukon, Sports North and the Takhini Arena.

Northwestel and Latitude Wireless are recognized as key contributors to the well-being of northern communities through the community investment programs and the volunteer contributions of employees.

Latitude Wireless is a partnership between Northwestel and the Dakwakada Development Corporation, the business investment arm of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations. Launched in 2006, this successful joint venture provides digital cellular service in all Yukon communities.

Northwestel provides complete telecommunications solutions and entertainment services in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Yukon, northern British Columbia and High Level, Alberta. The company’s operations span nearly 4 million square kilometres of the most remote and rugged areas of Canada.