Steinbach is in for an economic boost this weekend as the Telus Cup West Regional Championship gets underway Thursday at the T.G. Smith Centre. Teams and fans will be here from Saskatchewan, Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba. Lyle Morin is the tournament chair and says Steinbach has really stepped up to the plate for the event.

"Sponsorship has really picked up, the community has really embraced it. The volunteers have just been flowing in."

Morin says about 100 volunteers will look after things like security, team liaison personnel and hosting the scout lounges. Their budget for the event is $55,000 and any proceeds will go back into minor hockey in the Eastman region.

Morin says scouts will be here from across North America.

"We have some of the scouts from the United States Hockey League who are going to be here as well as the B.C. Junior Hockey League, Saskatchewan junior Hockey, Manitoba Junior Hockey League and the Ontario Hockey League. We are anticipating between 45 and 60 scouts."

He notes local restaurants and hotels should see a nice spike in business.

"Just from the teams and tournament committees, we also have some people coming from Hockey Canada as well as Hockey Manitoba and different regions, we're going to be needing 50 hotel rooms just for those people. And then with all the parents and scouts we're looking at up to another 15-20 rooms for sure."

Morin says sponsor interest was slow at first but has really picked up in the last couple of weeks and they are in good shape heading into the event.