Tonight's opening game of the MJHL's Turnbull Cup final in Portage la Prairie will see the return of Braden Pettinger to the PCU Centre.

He was seriously injured in a game late last year, and has been recovering in hospital ever since, and will be part of the opening faceoff ceremony.

His uncle Larry Pettinger says it's something Braden's wanted to do for some time.

"Braden seems to be very, very eager. He's been through a long battle in recovery here, but he's very eager to get out of that darned hospital, and get seeing some people again, and moving."

Pettinger adds the family knows people will want to speak to Braden tonight, and urges you to do that.

"A touch, a word of encouragement, I think these things will all go to help Braden in his recovery, and his understanding the depth of feeling in the Portage area. So, in a nutshell, yes, I think it would be most appropriate, rather than hanging back, or wondering."

Tonight's game starts at 7:30.