Tyler Walshe grew up playing hockey with his friends in St. John’s.

He shared some highs and lows just like any other budding minor hockey player. He formed a bond with them and the friendship grew beyond the confines of a cold hockey rink. Those friendships, however, have been put on hold. At least for a couple of days.

The St. John’s native will have a chance to play against most his former teammates this weekend at the Bruce II Sports Centre.

Walshe will be one of the offensive leaders of the Port aux Basques Mariners when the gateway town rolls out the welcome mat for the 2011 Veitch Memorial Championship. The Veitch brings together the top Junior B teams throughout Newfoundland and Labrador to vie for the provincial crown.

The Mariners, Central West Junior Hockey League champions Central Junior Cataracts and the St. John’s Celtics — champions of the St. John’s Junior Hockey League — will battle for bragging rights in a single round-robin affair that gets underway in Port aux Basques Friday night. Walshe has been talking to a few of his buddies about the tournament. He admits there has been some friendly trashtalking being exchanged.

“Typical, keep your head up kind of thing,” Walshe said of the exchanges with his former teammates.

Walshe can’t wait for the tournament to kick into high gear and expects the fans to be treated to a great brand of hockey.

“It will be a great time. I will enjoy it,” he said.

While he dug in the trenches with Danny Caddigan and the boys from the Celtics in the past, he is confident the Mariners can give the townies a run for their money.

“I think we just have to play solid defensive hockey against the Celtics,” he said.

“You just got to shut down their first line and Danny Caddigan. If you can shut them down then I can’t really see why we wouldn’t be able to beat them.”

Playing in his first season with the Mariners, Walshe has been totally impressed with how things are ran by the executive. He called Port aux Basques the best spot in the province to play junior hockey.

“The fans are great and everything is looked after by (coach) Bruce (Billard) and the executive,” he said.

Oh yes, the fans in Port aux Basques. They have rallied behind the team since becoming an expansion franchise two years ago and Walshe expects the same this weekend with the Veitch up for grabs.

“There should be a lot of people there I am thinking. It’s been the talk of the town for a while,” he said.

So, will Walshe be showcasing his skillset in the championship game Sunday?

“Not a doubt in my mind,” he said.

The Mariners tangle with the Central Cataracts in the tournament opener Friday 7:30 p.m. at the Bruce II Sports Centre. The championship game is slated for Sunday 1 p.m. at the Bruce II Sports Centre.

Saturday’s action will see the Central Cataracts tangle with the Celtics 1 p.m. and the Mariners battle the Celtics 7:30 p.m. before what is expected to be a capacity crowd.