By WAYNE SHIELS
Our region was well represented as the top Saskatchewan U16 female hockey players were divided into eight teams for a weekend of intense competition in Regina April 4-6. The action kicked off on Friday, April 4, with team practices before the exciting round-robin competition. The event wrapped up on Sunday, April 6, with final matchups divided into A, B, C, and D categories.
Team Grey had defense Reese Doig (Delisle), forwards Sloan Hanson (Warman) and Andie Marshall ( Martensville).
Team White had goalie Sydney Lundquist (Clavet), forwards Layla Harms (Warman) and Ella Wagner (Martensville).
Team Red had goalie Avery Brunen (Warman), defense Kiersten Buniak (Rosthern), and forward Ellie Graham-Wuttunee (Martensville).
Team Navy had goalie Whitney Gaudreau (Martensville), defense Surrie Pietersma (Osler), and forwards Brianne Cripps (Warman), Riley Merz (Warman) and Hannah Weseen (Warman).
Round-round play began Friday evening.
Team Navy defeated Team Green 6-3. Riley Merz had a pair of goals, while Hannah Weseen and Brianne Cripps chipped in with assists. Whitney Gaudreau was solid in net in her 30 minutes of play.
Team Red defeated Team White 4-1. Avery Brunen got the win, not allowing a goal in the first 30 minutes for Team Red. Sydney Lundquist was in net for the final 30 minutes for Team White allowing only one goal.
Team Grey defeated Team Yellow 4-2. Andie Marshall had a goal and an assist in the win.
Saturday’s games completed the round robin.
Team Navy defeated Team Gray 7-4. Surrie Pietersma and Brianne Cripps scored for Team Navy. Cripps and Hannah Weseen added assists. Andie Marshall, Sloan Hanson and Reise Doig found the twine for Team Grey.
Team Yellow defeated Team White 4-2. Sydney Lundquist came in for the last 30 minutes and did not allow a goal.
Team Red defeated Team Black 2-0. Avery Brunen preserved the shutout coming in for the last half of the game.
Team Navy defeated Team Yellow 6-2. Whitney Gaudreau did not allow any goals in her half of the game. Brianne Cripps and Riley Merz each had a goal, while Hannah Weseen added an assist.
Team White defeated Team Black 4-3. Sydney Lundquist earned the win, shutting down her opponents in the last half of the game.
Sunday wrapped up the weekend.
Team Yellow 1 vs Team Black 7 in D final.
Team Green 3 vs Team White 0 in C final.
Team Grey 4 vs Team Red 2 in B final. Andie Marshall scored a goal in the win.
Team Navy 6 vs Team Orange 3 in A final. Whitney Gaudreau was solid in net for the win. Brianne Cripps scored a goal, and Riley Merz and Hannah Weseen contributed with assists in the Team Navy win.
For the female athletes, the Sask First high-performance program began in February with Under-16 regional camps held across the province with Dalmeny hosting players from the North region. From there, the top players were invited to participate in this tournament.
Following the event, 40 standout athletes will be invited to the Sask First summer camp in August 2025. From there, two teams of 20 players will be selected to represent Team Saskatchewan at the Female U16 AAA Showcase Tournament in the fall, where they will compete against SFU18AAAHL teams.
This process provides athletes with the opportunity to compete best on best and offers significant exposure, as Sask First events are highly attended by scouts from various elite leagues including the Saskatchewan Female U18 “AAA” Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL).
Additionally, the Sask First Program serves as a pathway to the Sask First Under-18 Program and Hockey Canada’s female high-performance program, including its national teams. Team Canada and Ottawa Charge star forward Emily Clark is an alumni of the Sask First program (2012).