Teams in the Tiger Hills Hockey League have decided to get back on the ice.

The decision to go ahead with a 2021-22 season was finalized during the league's Fall meeting Monday night in Wawanesa.

"Everybody just wants to get out, get going and get something going on in our communities," said league Vice President Rodney White.

The THHL will operate with 15 teams this season and they include the Boissevain Border Kings, Killarney Shamrocks, Hartney Blues, Deloraine Royals, Melita Bisons, Souris Elks and Virden Oil Kings who will play in the West Division. The Minnedosa Bombers, Cartwright Clippers, Gladstone Lakers, MacGregor Wild, Neepawa Farmers, Pilot Mound Pilots, Wawanesa Jets and Carberry Plainsmen make up the East Division.

Teams will only play regular season games against teams in their own division. The West Division teams will play an 18-game schedule and the East Division teams will play a 17-game schedule.

The Plainsmen are back after taking a leave of abscence.

The Oil Kings joined the league last fall and played two games before the 2020-21 season was suspended and eventually cancelled due to COVID-19.

The 2021-22 season is expected to begin in late October and teams will have to adhere to the current public health orders and COVID-19 safety protocols.

"Everybody in the facility will have to be double vaccinated and show proof of vaccination and identification upon entering the building," noted White. "That's not different for players, or management or coaches. On the ice players do not need to wear a mask. Coaches on the bench will have to wear a mask. Fans will have to wear a mask and be double vaccinated."

Boissevain and Neepawa were set to begin their best-of-five final just over 18 months ago when Hockey Canada cancelled the 2019-2020 season due to the coronavirus.