When Mike Burgoyne recently returned home from his second season with Oklahoma City Blazers of the Central Hockey League, he found himself getting a text message from hockey pal and NHL defenceman Kevin Bieksa of the Vancouver Canucks.

It was the week the Canucks were eliminated from the NHL playoffs. The message simply stated,"Sign my team up for 4 on 4 this summer."

The league of premier Hamilton and area talent is back for another season on Thursday nights at the Mohawk Quad Pad.

The Heads Up Sports Academy High Performance Robson Technologies Four on Four gets underway May 22.

The league, which mixes a who's who of local hockey, includes some familiar faces and up and coming prospects.

The likes of Josh Soares, Matt Trek, Joe Tenute, Brendon Brooks, Brian McGratton, Ryan Christie and Nick Smith lead the league's well-stocked talent pool. Rumours have been swirling that three-time defending champions New England Homes (with Soares and Tenute) have beefed up their line-up with Hamilton Bulldogs forward Corey Locke, along with veteran European and Dundas Real McCoys wizard Mark Jooris, joining another one of the league's entries.

Up-and-coming prospects such as Peter Leblanc, Drew Schesitel, Scott Timmins and Justin Wallingford will continue their off-season while playing in the fast-paced Four on Four league. Hamilton Red Wings graduate and NCAA bound Spencer Abbott and Wings teammate Anthony Ruberto will lead the league's youth movement.

Burgoyne, the former Hamilton Kilty Bee, Stoney Creek Spirit and Hamilton Reps AAA product, is coming off his second straight MVP season where he once again led his team in scoring and finished in the top three among the CHL's defenceman. He started playing in the league four years ago.

Ancaster resident Derek Myke, who played alongside Burgoyne in Junior hockey, assists with the day-to-day operations of the league.

With the success of the Pro League, the pair has added a Junior league for players aged 14-18. It will be the same style of play and will allow for any player to sharpen skills for any Junior A, B, C or Midget Training Camp. They hope to have all area up and coming players become a part of the junior league.

Myke has been coaching AAA in the Hamilton Rep system the last seven seasons and sees the Junior four on four league as a great opportunity for players ready to make the move to the next level this fall. The junior league will run on Sunday evenings at the Quad Pad. The professional players will give advice and tutelage to the up and coming area prospects.

The purpose of this ice time is to let kids have fun through the summer but still allow them to learn and develop their skills.

The big plus for playing four on four is that there is more room for skating and creative plays such as two on ones and three on ones.

As for instruction, Burgoyne will be there every week teaching the kids while they play while occasionally playing with them.

Burgoyne will also bring out other pro players, so young players can learn from them.

Burgoyne is hoping to film the games and hold video sessions for the players and parents to attend where he will go through some good and bad points from their games and correct mistakes.

For additional information, log onto www.husa.ca.