SYDNEY, N.S. — The 2017 Panther Classic gets underway at the Canada Games Complex on Thursday.

The tournament was cancelled last year due to the teachers’ union job action, but this year’s 20th installment of the tournament will feature the three teams in the Cape Breton High School Hockey league as well as four other teams from mainland Nova Scotia.

The host Glace Bay Panthers, the Memorial Mauraders of Sydney Mines and the Riverview Redman from Coxheath are the cape Breton teams. The four mainland teams coming to Cape Breton for the tournament arethe Auburn Drive Eagles, Hants East Tigers, the Sackville Kingfishers and the Cobequid Education Centre Cougars.

Cameron Yates, 18, a Grade 12 Panthers player, said it means a lot to be involved with the tournament this year.

“It’s a huge honour, especially since we haven’t won it in a while and we have a team that can definitely win it. I know everyone around the school is really excited for it,” said Yates, who added that it’s also refreshing for Cape Breton teams to test their skills against teams they wouldn’t face in their own league.

“This is definitely going to be different because we’ve only been playing against two teams around here, but we’re pretty confident in our own abilities so we’re not too worried about anyone coming down in our tournament.”

Dwayne Doucet, who’s in his first year as the Panthers’ head coach, echoed Yates’ sentiments and said it will be good for everyone involved to play new teams.

“We’re pretty excited to face some new blood. A three-team league can a little stale after a while; I think so it’ll be nice to get some new challenges.

The tournament opens on Thursday at 6 p.m. when Riverview faces off against Hants East, followed by the host Glace Bay Panthers playing Memorial.

The action will continue on Saturday at 10 a.m. with the semifinals starting at 6 p.m. with the 1st-place team playing the 4th-place team. The second semifinal will, be at 8 p.m.

Sunday, the top two teams will compete for the championship at 1 p.m.

Christian.roach@cbpost.com

IF YOU GO

Tournament pass: $15 dollars for adults, $10 for students & seniors

Daily Pass: $5 for adults, 4$ for students & seniors.