This is a weekend during which Marquette can show why it was chosen Kraft Hockeyville USA in 2016.

Not only will the Northern Michigan University Wildcats be facing off against WCHA foe Bowling Green both Friday and Saturday nights at the Berry Events Center in Marquette, there will be Michigan Amateur Hockey Association District 8 playoffs this weekend at Lakeview Arena in Marquette, bringing in teams from around the state.

We hope the venues are packed full of enthusiastic fans. The young people who are out there on skates will be giving their all. We hope the same can be said of their fans.

Dr. Fritz Hoenke, who nominated Marquette for Hockeyville back in 2016, pointed out to our readers in a letter to the editor Thursday that this has been a strong season for local junior hockey teams.

Hoenke wrote: “The Squirt AA (ages 9,10 travel team ) is 27-5-3, the Peewee AA (ages 11,12 travel team) is 39-2-3 and in MHR is ranked No. 15 in the country. The Marquette American Legion Bantam AA (ages 13,14 travel team) is 43-2-2 and last week before their last three victories was ranked by MHR No. 6 in the United States.

“A combined 109-9-8 for our Marquette teams is truly remarkable, and a tribute to the coaches and the kids. In addition, Marquette Senior High School is 14-3-1 with 12 straight wins, the last five by shutout and eight total shutouts on the season.”

We join Dr. Hoenke in encouraging people to get out to watch some great hockey this weekend. For more information on local teams’ schedules, visit mqthockey.org.

We also urge people to step up to support a local hockey family going through a terribly difficult time. As many know, the Johnson family lost two members in a traffic accident in St. Ignace last weekend while on the way to a downstate hockey tournament.

One was hockey player Jacob Johnson, age 18, and the other was his uncle, Will Johnson, 22.

A third member of the family, Jake’s brother Kyle Johnson, age 16, was severely injured but is making strides in recovery.

The Johnson brothers currently played for the Negaunee-based Iron Range Hockey 18U Bjork & Zhulkie team and were past participants in junior hockey in Marquette.

A GoFundMe page has been established to aid the family: https://dm2.gofund.me/6pf8qj-johnson-family-expenses

Fundraisers are in the works for them as well.

We hope everyone says a prayer for the Johnson family and supports them as they are able.

Good luck to all the teams hitting the ice this weekend.