The Portage Cup is back for another year at the PCU Centre in Portage la Prairie.

Organizing Committee Member Shane Moffat says it kicks off with a home team tonight.

Moffat

"The '09, the squirt team --the Portage team -- is playing at 7 O'clock. Then all the teams will be playing on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We've got a total of 23 teams coming into town this weekend, coming as far as Thompson in Manitoba, and as far as Yorkton in Saskatchewan."

Moffat says the tournament has been growing every year, which is exciting. He adds it's even a great thing for the local economy.

"There'll be a lot of hockey, and a lot of kids around the rink and it should be good. We've been doing it for 7 years now and it just gets bigger every year. It's good for our community, it's good for the hotels, the restaurants, and it's fun putting it on. Every hotel is full, we've even got people staying out at the base. We just don't have enough hotels to accommodate, a lot of teams still have to travel."

The Portage Cup features players in the Squirt, Novice, and Atom age groups this weekend. The Championship games are Sunday.