Fourth annual Pavelich Invitational returns to Big Sky

BIG SKY – Sharpen your skates! The puck drops at 4 p.m. on New Years Day, when players in the fourth annual Pavelich Invitational take the ice.

Named for Detroit Red Wings’ great Marty Pavelich and organized by the Big Sky Skating and Hockey Association, the game brings hockey fans – both local and visiting – to the ice rink in Big Sky’s Town Center where Pavelich himself will drop the ceremonial first puck.

A four-time Stanley Cup winner for the Red Wings, Pavelich, 84, moved to Big Sky 20 years ago and was instrumental in getting the local ice rink off the ground. – J.T.O.