If you love hockey, Martensville is the place to be later this month.
The community is hosting Hockey Day in Saskatchewan.
Actually, it should be called Hockey Week in Saskatchewan, because the organizing committee has seven days of activities starting Monday, January 16 leading up to the marquee events on Saturday, January 21; followed by a bonus day Sunday, January 22.
In addition to a full slate of minor hockey match-ups there are several feature games and special events. (For details log onto martensvillehockey.ca and check out ‘Hockey Day in Saskatchewan’.)
“Martensville Minor Hockey is honored to have been awarded the privilege to host Hockey Day in Saskatchewan 2023 as chosen by Hockey Saskatchewan,” said Martensville Minor Hockey Association President Trevor Hanley. “We are excited to be partnering with the Martensville Community Recreation Project (MCRP), the City of Martensville and the many volunteers and sponsors who have come on board to make this event a reality.”
The week-long celebration of hockey is designed to involve the whole region, according to Martensville Hockey Day In Saskatchewan Committee Co-chairs Christine Semchyshen and Kris Miazga.
“As the committee was formed, the focus and attention was on creating an event that would engage the entire community and surrounding area,” said Semchyshen. “We want to celebrate the game of hockey and showcase how this great game promotes inclusivity, supports diversity and welcomes all participants with activities for everyone.”
“The schedule is packed full of fun and excitement,” added Miaza. “We hope that everyone gets out to enjoy themselves, spend some time with neighbours and experiences what a wonderful hockey community Martensville is.”
Funds raised at the week-long event will go toward the new Martensville multi-purpose recreation facility, slated to begin construction later this year. Volunteers, including Rhea Mathies, Joel Wagner, Jillian Rowland, Joe Garchinski, Clint Dieno, Lorrie Sorowski, Dawn Wotherspoon, Kelly McClintock of Hockey Saskatchewan, and members of the MCRP, are pitching in to make the event a success. GFL Environmental is the title sponsor of the celebration.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Minor hockey games are slated throughout the week beginning Monday, January 16.
On Wednesday, January 18 at 8:00 pm there will be a PJHL game between the Delisle Chiefs and the Saskatoon Royals. There is a local flavour on both teams with the Chiefs players Mason Engele (Martensville), Morgan Glowa (Delisle), Carter Sachs (Warman), Griffin Heaney (Warman), Dylan Marshall (Warman) and the Royals Darius Sawatzky (Hague) and Brayden Schenstead (Warman).
Thursday, January 19 at 6:00 pm there is an autograph session with the Saskatoon Blades.
Friday, January 19 doors open at 5:00 pm for a banquet and cabaret at the Martensville Athletic Pavilion (MAP) with guest speaker Darren Dutchyshen of TSN.
Saturday, January 21 the U18AAA Female Saskatoon Stars featuring area players Kolbee Ashe (Warman), Jocelyn Fiala (Clavet) and Megan Hirschfeld (Beaver Creek) play the Swift Current Innovation Credit Union Wildcats at 1:00 p.m.
This is followed by the Warman U18AAA Wildcats taking on the Yorkton Maulers at 4:00 p.m. This game will see Martensville Marauders alumni Kazden Mathies (Martensville), Carsen Adair (Clavet), Jack Janzen (Martensville) and Corben Schnurr (Martensville) of the Wildcats playing their former Marauder teammate Kaden Shumay (Martensville) now playing with the Maulers.
The day of amazing hockey will culminate at 7:30 pm with a SJHL game between the Humboldt Broncos and the Battleford North Stars, that will see Martensville’s Holden Doell return to his home rink as a key member of the North Stars. The Broncos roster includes Warman’s Carsten Kayter, Daylen Weigel, and Spencer Bell adding a regional rivalry to the game.
Saturday will also see a wide variety of activities at the MAP, 3 on 3 hockey on the outside rink and a Family Fun Spiel at the Martensville Curling Rink.
On Saturday January 21 the parking lot at the arena will be unavailable with the exception of a drive through drop off lane. Attendees are asked to use the parking at the Martensville Athletic Pavilion (MAP) and the field to the east of the MAP. There will be a shuttle service between the MAP and the Martensville Arena. The games will also be streamed live for viewing at the MAP.
On Sunday there will be a Pancake Breakfast (by donation) at the MAP starting at 9:30 am followed by a Church Service from 11:30-12:00 and then a Family Skate at 12:45 pm with the Saskatoon Blades mascot Poke Check and the Saskatoon Rush’s Bruiser the Bulldog.