By TERRY PUGH
Forty of the best young hockey players in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, including two from Warman, are lacing up their skates for the Western All-Star Challenge in Martensville November 2-4.
The event pits 16 and 17-year-old (born in 2008 or later) Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) players against their colleagues from the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) in two exhibition games at the Martensville Recreation Centre (MRC).
This marks the the third year for the event and the second time the hockey showcase has been held at the MRC.
Last year the teams split the two games, with Saskatchewan winning the opening contest 3-2 and Manitoba returning the favour by winning the second tilt 5-4.
The teams held practices on Monday, November 2 and Tuesday, November 3.
The first game in the series is set for Tuesday, November 3 at 7:45 at the MRC. The second game goes at 11:30 on Wednesday, November 4, also at the MRC.
The SJHL roster includes forward Sawyer Scheidt and defenseman Tatum Fouquette, both from Warman.
Scheidt was in the Warman Wildcats AA program before joining the U18AAA Saskatoon Contacts. He is now in the lineup with the Warman Wolverines and is making a mark as one of the top scorers in the SJHL. In 14 games so far with the Wolverines, he’s scored five goals and added five assists.
Tatum Fouquette also played in the Warman AA program before moving on to the U18AAA Blazers hockey club. He’s played five games and notched one assist so far with the Humboldt Broncos.
The SJHL roster also includes:
* forwards Carson Park of Pilot Butte, Austin Mori-Goodman of Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Parker Salisbury of Nipawin, Ryan Gibbs of Moose Jaw, Tyson Medernach of Saskatoon, Hayden Iron Shirt of Lethbridge, Charlie Kay of Saskatoon, Aidan Mohan of Weyburn, Aedan McCarry of Calgary, Jaggar John of Fort McMurray, Owen Chapman of Saskatoon,
* defensemen Jake Hargrave of Lucky Lake, Theron Bensler of Medicine Hat, Eric Grandberg of Saskatoon, Xavier Doane of Regina, Cooper Perrin of Saskatoon,
* goaltenders Finn Werner of St. Albert, Alberta, and Kaleb Page of Whitewood.
The SJHL team is coached by Weyburn Red Wings Head Coach Cody Mapes. The SJHL Assistant Coach is Carter Hansen of the Humboldt Broncos.
SJHL and MJHL officials say one of the goals of the Western All-Star Challenge is to showcase the high level of skill on the ice in both leagues.
“Last season, the SJHL and MJHL saw some of their highest numbers of players sucessfully transition to post-secondary hockey opportunities,” according to league officials in the event program. “It is our hope that, as the two prairie leagues involved with the Western Canadian Development Model, we are providing dynamic and creative oppoortunities that will assist both of our leagues’ players in making successful transition to post-secondary hockey, including at the USPORTS, ACAC, and NCAA levels, and more successful transitions from hockey to the world of work and life.”