Hockey Manitoba's Peewee Rising Stars Tournament is at the PCU Centre in Portage la Prairie this year. The friendly tournament starts tonight, and Co-Coordinator Rod Sveistrup explains who's coming, and what it's all about.

"So we have Eastman, Interlake, Pembina Valley, Brandon, Yellowhead, and two teams from Central Plains. Again, the idea is just to have the kids come out and have an opportunity to have some good competition with no finals."

The tournament is for second year PeeWee players, which helps kids bridge into regional hockey programs next season. Sveistrup explains.

"During the year (the kids) play strictly within PMHA or Oakville, or wherever. Now they get to play as Central Plains."

Each team will have a chance to play 3 games over the weekend, with no championship being awarded. Sveistrup adds it's an important weekend for the players' development.

"It's the real beginning of regional hockey, along with an opportunity for the kids to work on skill development."

The first game is at 6:30 tonight at the PCU Centre.