There are just a few days to go before Moncton becomes a hockey mecca, and the excitement is getting to an all-time high.

That’s according to Michelle Duffie, the co-chair of the Hockey Day in Canada festivities.

“We’ve been planning since April,” she said.

While the puck officially drops on the celebration of our national sport on Thursday, Jan. 15, a last-minute announcement this week revealed a famous guest would be in the city a few days early.

Duffie said the Stanley Cup would be on display and available for photos on Saturday, Jan. 10. The toughest trophy to win in professional sports will be at Downtown Place next to the Avenir Centre from 1 to 4 p.m. The event is free, and open to the public.

The city is expecting significant economic benefits, Duffie said, as tourists come to take in all the events.

“That’s looking really good,” she said. “We’ve had lots of conversations with the hotels that are downtown and they’re getting full.”

Saturday, Jan. 17, is the big day, with hockey of all kinds being played around Moncton and Riverview, including the Eastern Regional Blind Hockey Tournament at the Coliseum, a Timbits Jamboree at the Byron Dobson Memorial Arena and the Wildcats hosting Chicoutimi.

Anyone attending the U Sports matchup between the Université de Moncton Aigles Bleues and Dalhousie University Tigers could be part of a record.

“We’re trying to break a record to have the highest-attended Atlantic University Sports game,” Duffie said.

To do that, she estimated they’ll need about 3,000 attendees.

Duffie said that game will feature a ceremonial faceoff with Hockey Hall of Famer Jennifer Botterill and longtime Team Canada player Rebecca Johnston.

“We’re really focusing on women’s hockey, girls’ hockey,” she said.

The Saturday festivities will get going with a parade from Moncton Market to Downtown Place.

Duffie said organizers want to see fans participate in the parade, wearing their favourite hockey jersey.

“They just need to go to the Moncton Market by 11 in the morning,” she said. “It will leave at 11:30 and make its way up Main Street and then arrive at the Oval where (Hockey Night in Canada host) Ron MacLean will be waiting for us.”

Of course, the day will include a live broadcast of Hockey Night in Canada starting at 6:30 p.m.

A complete schedule can be found here.