After taking a year-long break, the Genesis House Peace Begins at Home hockey games made a successful return.

The Carman Cougars, Pembina Valley Hawks, and Winkler Flyers are just a few of the local teams that have dedicated a game to wearing white hockey jerseys for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Genesis House Director, Ang Braun, says "The Peace Begins at Home hockey games are really about trying to engage in the community on that topic, which is a difficult one."

Over the weekend, the Pembina Valley Hawks of the Manitoba Female AAA Midget Hockey League could be seen wearing the jerseys, and those who were off the ice could participate through wearing a white ribbon on their coat.

"We want to be involved with anything supportive in the community. It's good for the girls, it's good for team morale to take part in community events," says team manager, Joleen McLaren.

McLaren says they also wore special jerseys in October to raise awareness for breast cancer, which helps break up the hockey season.

Last year there were no Peace Begins at Home hockey games, but Braun says they were pleased with people's response to their return. "We did have a number of people asking us about the hockey games, so we are really happy to bring them back this year."

The final chance for hockey-lovers to see the white jerseys in action was at the Winkler Flyers game Tuesday evening.

Braun adds, "While it is a difficult topic, this does make it a little easier to open the door to have that conversation."