KERROBERT, MACKIN, UNITY, WILKIE — Small town Saskatchewan usually celebrates three big holidays over the winter months; Christmas, Ukrainian Christmas and the day the Hockey Saskatchewan provincial draws are released.
This year, that day was Jan. 11, with roughly 250 teams entering male and female brackets from across the province, including Kerrobert, Macklin, Unity and Wilkie teams
Wilkie
The home of the Outlaws will have two teams in different brackets this year.
The U15 team fell into the ‘B’ category and will be making a big hike north as they pulled La Ronge in the opening round. The senior team entered ‘B’ as well and landed the Willow Cree Chiefs, who play their games out of the Beardy’s Memorial Arena in the Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation.
Unity
The lovingly named Shingledome will host provincial games in two brackets this year
Both the U13 and U15 squads entered the ‘B’ bracket and drew Meadow Lake in their opening matchups.
The U13 Western Prairie female team entered as well and sit in the north final. They await the winner of Delisle and the Western Prairie Klippers squad.
Kerrobert
The old airplane hangar turned hockey rink will see three of their teams compete.
The U15 team dropped into the ‘D’ category and pulled the Lashburn straw in the opening round, while the U18 group entered ‘B’ and will match up against Hillmond in their opening draw. The senior Tigers also entered ‘D’ and were drawn against the Delisle Bruins.
Macklin
The home of Cole Reschny will enjoy seeing three of their teams attempt a long provincial run this year.
The U15 team landed in the ‘D’ bracket and will play Maidstone in their opening round matchup, while the U18 squad aligned in the ‘B’ bracket and will see Paradise Hill. The senior Mohawks filed their papers for ‘D’ and drew the Craik Warriors in the opening round.
Look for posters and social media posts to see when your favourite team plays.