Hockey fans are snapping up tickets to catch the stars of the future in action at the U18AAA West Regionals this weekend.
After a year of planning, Warman is ready to host the top U18 AAA teams from Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. The winner of this tournament goes on to compete in the national championships later this month in Quebec.
Tickets are going fast, but there are still some choice seats available. Log onto the Warman Minor Hockey Association website to scoop yours soon.
Action will begin at the Warman Home Centre Communiplex on Thursday, April 6. In game one at 5:00 p.m. the Saskatchewan champion Saskatoon Blazers play the Thunder Bay Kings.
Chief Robert Merasty will give an Opening Invocation.
On Thursday evening the Manitoba champions, the Winnipeg Wild and the host Warman Wildcats play after the Opening Ceremonies. These ceremonies are at 8:00 p.m. and will take place on the ice, with all four teams in attendance.
Star Blankets created by Jessica Moore will be presented to each team captain by Lillian Denton and Carlin Nordstrom.
Day Two, Friday, April 7, is designated as Indigenous Celebration, Reconciliation and Inclusion Day.
At 4 p.m. there will a ‘Meet & Greet’ Reggie Leach event exclusive to Premium VIPticket packages, dignitaries, and West Regional Committee Members.
The 5 p.m. game on April 7 will feature Mark Okihcihtaw as Drummer/Anthemsinger. The Winnipeg Wild will play the Saskatoon Blazers
Warman plays Thunder Bay in the 8 p.m. game. It will feature a puck drop with Chief Mark Arcand and Reggie Leach. Falynn Baptiste will perform the National Anthem in Cree.
There will be an introduction of players with Indigenous ancestry who have played in the Warman Wildcats AA and AAA programs over the past several decades.
The introduction starts in the 1980s with Carlin Nordstrom and Duane VanDale; followed by Lawrence Gardipy, Brent Gardipy and Bill Cameron in the 1990s; Milton Greyeyes and Riley Gardypie in the 2000s; Ryan Pilon and Josh Pillar in the 2010 to 2020 decade; and then 2020 onward an invitation has been extended to players from last year’s and current AAA U18 Wildcats, Mason Bueckert, Rhett Dekowny, Caden Johns, Deegan Wapass, Jaxon Herchak and Coach Courage Bear.
Reggie Leach will be available to sign autographs during both games on April 7.
Look for a tipi (compliments of SIGA and Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation) set up on the south concourse level as Leach will be at a table next to the tipi.
Day Three, Saturday, April 8 will feature the completion of the round robin games. The Thunder Bay Kings play the Winnipeg Wild at 12:00 p.m. At 3:00 the Saskatoon Blazers and Warman Wildcats square off .
This will be followed by the
banquet at the Brian King Centre at 7 p.m.
Banquet guest speaker Carlin Nordstrom, who grew up in Warman and played for the Wildcats before going on to a sucessful hockey career in the SJHL, NCAA Division 1 college hockey and professional ranks.
Nordstrom will have a short power point presentation as part of his speech.
After Nordstrom’s presentation awards will be presented to the top goalie, top forward, top defenseman, most gentlemanly player and MVP based on round robin performances.
Sunday April 9th will be the championship game at 2 p.m. with the winner earning the right to advance to the national championship in Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec on April 24-30.
Closing ceremonies will be at 4:30pm.