INUVIK - Mickey Ipana will be playing for his late father Roy during this weekend's Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) Cup.

"We were best buds," said Mickey, who will be suiting up for team Northwind, along with his brother. "He watched me play every game so me and my brother will be playing for him and my mom, for sure."

Mickey won't be the only one playing in the hockey tournament with his dad on his mind.

Roy Ipana, the larger-than-life, devoted community man will be front and centre on Friday evening at 7 p.m., when a commemorative ceremony will be held at the Midnight Sun Complex rink. The arena will be officially renamed in his honour. Ipana died suddenly last December.

Tournament organizer Donald Hendrick said it's a fitting tribute for one of the founding members of the annual tournament, who dedicated much of his life to promoting recreation and Inuvik's athletes.

"He just wanted to show off the town and what we have in the Inuvik region," said Hendrick. "He always wanted people from the region to show their hockey talent."

The ceremony is expected to draw a full house and will feature plenty of guest speakers, including Mickey himself, as well as IRC chair and CEO Nellie Cournoyea and Gwich'in Tribal Council president Richard Nerysoo. Mickey hopes many people will come ready to celebrate his father's life.

"I know he would love to see everyone there," he said. "Hopefully everyone will be in a joyful mood."

The family is just so happy that the place will be named after him through his love of recreation, whether it was the Muskrat Jamboree or the Northern Games."

The ceremony will unveil a sign that will be placed in front of the complex, dedicating the arena in Roy's name. The town, GTC, and IRC will also unveil plaques in tribute of Roy's service to Inuvik.

Not only was Roy largely responsible for convincing communities to sign up for the tournament, which this year will include two divisions and 12 teams coming from Aklavik, Fort McPherson Paulatuk and Tuktoyaktuk. He also played a major role in developing the tournament's disciplinary policy. Hendrick said his priority was always on bringing people together to have fun.

This year's tournament will run from this evening until Sunday afternoon. Hendrick said like last year, he expects it will boast plenty of exciting games.

There will be a small admission fee to attend the ceremony. A complimentary meal of hamburgers, pop and chips will be available, as well as lots of memorabilia for the celebration. Mickey said he hopes the event will remind everyone of his father's generosity of spirit.

"Remember all the people that he touched," said Mickey, "and hopefully he made them better."