INUVIK - Even though the holiday is long gone, the cold weather and hockey memories live on with the Williams' and Kuptana families.

Every year both families get together on Christmas Day and call some friends for a game of hockey.

Tom Williams faces off against Donald Kuptana Jr. while Mario Lemieux drops the puck during the seventh annual Christmas hockey game between the Williams and Kuptana family. - photo courtesy of Tom Williams

Tom Williams said the tradition started seven years ago, with only a few members of the two clans.

"It was the first time we held the Kuptana-Williams Challenge on Christmas Day," he said.

The first game took place at the rink outside Ingamo Hall.

Williams said the venue changes but the game stays the same.

"We've held them at other places, like the ice road," he said."It was about three years ago and it was so warm we had to stop the game to clear the ice."

This year's game was held at the Road's End Golf Course rink and the Kuptanas prevailed 15-13.

"It's a new rink and it's really nice there," said Williams.

"We had lots of fun."

Donald Kuptana said the teams are made up of the immediate family members, with others rounding out the teams.

"At first, it was the four from my family against the three from Tom's," said Kuptana.

"As the years went on, we got more and more players."

Finding players is easy for the two teams because they know so many people who play the sport recreationally.

"We get players from the old-timers league in town," said Kuptana. Once the game is over, the teams shake hands and prepare for dinner, which is shared by both families.

"Our two families enjoy the big dinner together," said Williams.

Some of the other hockey families in town have been involved with the game as well.

"We've had the Wenghofers, the Lemieuxs and Les Skinner and his kids play as well," said Williams.

Williams, who is known for his coaching skills and love for the sport, said the game is all about coming together to have a good time.

"The more players we get out there the better the game is," said Williams.

Because the annual game started off so low-key, Williams said it took a few years to get word around of the growing tradition.

"Every year we get more people playing, I think we had eight families in the last one," said Williams.

Kuptana said the event is gaining momentum and it doesn't look like an end is in sight for the holiday game.

"We want to see more kids out and being active," he said.