Local businesses in Dryden say they're getting a boost from this week's Little Bands Native Youth Hockey Tournament.

Hundreds of children, teens and chaperones have come from First Nation communities across the Northwest for the week-long event.

"It feels a little bit like Christmas right now," said Tracey Draper, owner of the Downtown Dollar store. "We've never had any events that have created this kind of traffic before."

Draper said the tournament presents a "tremendous" opportunity for Dryden.

"It's been gradually getting busier all week long. We have big spurts of people coming in," she said. "I think we all need to ... be very welcoming so that people will come back year after year."

Hotels and restaurants are reaping the economic benefits too. Server Mindy Hutchison said about 40 people from the tournament came into Ristorante on Tuesday night -- the first evening the restaurant was open this week.

"We love all the new people in town," said Hutchison. "The more business the better. And the more friendly faces we get to meet always the better."

Tournament expected to generate $1.2 million

Dryden resident Corina McNickle said even though she hasn't lived on reserve for years, she knows first-hand that people coming from remote communities will stock up on supplies.

"I know that ... they spend quite a bit of money in town [on] clothing and shoes," McNickle said.

The Dryden Development Corporation estimates the tournament will generate about $1.2 million in revenue for the city by the time it wraps up on Sunday.