The Warman U18AAA Wildcats have proven to be one of the elite programs in the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL).
Established in 2020, their inaugural season was cut short due to Covid-19.
In 2021-22 the Wildcats had a banner season, winning the Northern Division of the SMAAAHL and taking eventual provincial champion Notre Dame Hounds to two double overtime games in the first two games of the final.
In 2022-23 they hosted the U18AAA Western Regionals where they defeated the best teams from Manitoba and Northern Ontario to advance to the championship game where they lost to the eventual national bronze medalists, the Saskatoon Blazers, in an epic overtime thriller.
Being so close to achieving their goals has been a great incentive for coaches, players and management preparing for the 2023-24 season.
This year’s squad is a great mixture of returning players and very talented rookies. Their efforts have resulted in a successful start to the season and they are being recognized for their performance.
The Wildcats were one of two Saskatchewan teams in the Canadian Elite Hockey League Top 20 rankings listed on November 28. Warman was 15th while the Prince Albert Mintos were ranked 18th.
The Mintos have five players from our area on their rosters; Owen Dyck (Borden), Teigan Semchyshen (Warman), Abinet Klassen (Neuanlage), Simon Garchinski (Martensville) and Carter Bergen (Hague).
Both the Wildcats and Mintos have been selected to play in the prestigious Circle K Classic Tournament from December 27-January 1. This tournament features 32 of the best U18AAA teams from Canada, USA and Europe. The Wildcats earned the invitation thanks to their strong play at the start of the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League where they currently sit near the top of the standings with 12 wins and two overtime losses for 26 points against only four losses in the highly competitive league.
In pool play Warman will play a Calgary area team, the Airdrie CFR Bisons, the Shawigan Lake School from Vancouver Island and the Bishop Kearney Selects from Rochester, New York.
Playing in the tournament against the best U18 players means the athletes will be given exposure to scouts at higher levels of hockey.
The team continues to work hard as they compete in league games leading up to the December tournament.
On Thursday, November 29 they hosted the Tisdale Trojans. The Wildcats came out strong and fast, jumping to an early 3-0 lead on goals by Cade Hynd, Jack Janzen and Beckett Hamilton. Tisdale battled back and won 4-3 in shootouts.
On the weekend they came away with a pair of wins over the Saskatoon Contacts.
On Friday they downed the Contacts 4-1 on goals by Bronson Parker, Carsen Adair, Liam Bursaw and Jaxon Herchak in the game played in Warman.
On Sunday they defeated the Contacts 5-1 at Merlis Belsher Place. Ty Dauvin led the way with a pair of goals, while Connor Bear, Jack Janzen and Carsen Adair netted singles.
In December the Wildcats will be on the road during the next two weeks, taking on the Regina Pat Canadians, Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors and the Prince Albert Mintos.
The Wildcats’ next home game will be against the Prince Albert Mintos on Sunday, December 17 . The puck drop will be 2:00 p.m. at the Warman Home Centre Communiplex.