By Hockey Saskatchewan

REGINA, Sask. – The Sask First high-performance program proudly presents its all-female coaching staff for the 2024 Team Saskatchewan Female Under-16 (U16) program.

The two teams will be led by Samantha Ridgewell and Cassie Schlamp, both of whom are experienced coaches from the Sask First program.

Forty of the province’s top players selected from the April tournament will be coached and nurtured by the staffs during the next phase of the program. The chosen 2009/2010-born athletes will attend a Summer Camp in Regina from Aug. 4-5, 2024, followed by a Female U16 AAA Showcase Tournament in Swift Current, Sask., from Sept. 5-8, 2024.

During the Showcase Tournament, the prospects will be divided into Team White and Team Green and will compete against each other as well as clubs from the Saskatchewan Female Under-18 AAA Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL).

"We are incredibly proud to have an all-female coaching staff for the final phase of the Sask First Female U16 program. This talented and dedicated group of coaches, led by Samantha Ridgewell and Cassie Schlamp, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the development of our young athletes. All these coaches’ dedication to player development, coupled with their extensive experience within the Sask First program, underscores our commitment to fostering the growth of female athletes in hockey. As these young players transition to the Female Under-18 program, we have full confidence that they will be equipped with the skills and mentorship necessary to succeed, thanks to the guidance of this exceptional coaching staff," said Joel Houseman, Director of Operations of Sask First.

Hockey Saskatchewan congratulates those selected and wishes them all the best in the upcoming months.

For more information on Hockey Saskatchewan and the Sask First program, please visit www.hockeysask.ca, or follow through social media on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Female U16 Program – Team White

Coaching Staff

Samantha Ridgewell (Delisle, SK) has been promoted from last year’s bench and will serve as the Head Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female Under-16 (White). She spent four seasons as a goaltender with Merrick College (NCAA). Ridgewell is highly involved with Sask First programming and is an Assistant Coach with the Saskatoon Starts in the SFU18AAAHL.

Emily Perehudoff (Saskatoon, SK) will serve as an Assistant Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female U-16 (White). She has played for the Battleford Sharks in the SFU18AAAHL. Perehudoff served as Assistant Coach with the Female Under-15 AA Northwest Sharks during the 2023-24 season.

Kianna Dietz (Hanley, SK) will serve as an Assistant Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female U-16 (White). She has played for the Saskatoon Stars in the SFU18AAAHL as well as U Sports’ women’s hockey with the University of Lethbridge. Dietz served as Assistant Coach with the Saskatchewan Junior Female Hockey League’s Saskatoon Prairie Blaze during the 2023-24 season.

Female U16 Program – Team Green

Coaching Staff

Cassie Schlamp (McLean, SK) will return to serve as the Head Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female Under-16 (Green). She served as Head Coach for the Saskatchewan Female Hockey League’s Under-15 AA Lumsden/Bethune Lynx during the 2023-24 season. In addition, Schlamp has been heavily involved as a Sask First program coach.

Jordan Szczecinski (Weyburn, SK) will return to serve as an Assistant Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female U-16 (Green). She served as Head Coach for the Saskatchewan Female Hockey League’s Under-15 AA South East Whitecap Goldwings during the 2023-24 season.

Jessica Warren (Saskatoon, SK) will return to serve as an Assistant Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female Under-16 (Green). She played two seasons with the Saskatoon Stars of the SFU18AAAHL. Warren served as an Assistant Coach for the Female Under-18 A Saskatoon Comet Predators during the 2022-23 season.

Payton Schlamp (McLean, SK) will serve as an Assistant Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female U-16 (Green). She has played goalie for the Regina Rebels in the SFU18AAAHL as well as the Saskatchewan Junior Female Hockey League’s Lumsden Lynx. In addition, Schlamp has been previously involved as a Sask First program coach.

Team Saskatchewan Female U16 Program

Coach Mentor

Robin Ulrich (Saskatoon, SK) will return as the coach mentor for the Team Saskatchewan Female U16 Program. Ulrich spent last season as Head Coach for the Saskatoon Stars in the SFU18AAAHL and is now with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Hockey Program as an Assistant Coach. In addition, Ulrich has been heavily involved with the Sask First Female program for many years, including being the Head Coach of Team Saskatchewan at the Canada Winter Games and National Women's U18 Championship.

About SASK FIRST

The Sask First program, introduced by Hockey Saskatchewan in 1988, has been a source of immense pride and achievement in our province. This high-performance initiative was crafted with the dual goal of enhancing the game's comprehension and nurturing the growth of exceptional players, coaches, trainers, officials, and administrators. It empowers participants, enriching them as individuals, fostering self-satisfaction, and enhancing their enjoyment within the hockey community.

About HOCKEY SASKATCHEWAN

Hockey Saskatchewan was established in 1912 and is the governing body for organized hockey in the province of Saskatchewan. With a mission to lead, develop and promote positive hockey experiences, Hockey Saskatchewan encourages competition at all levels – from recreational to high performance. Hockey Saskatchewan has grown through the years and is Saskatchewan’s largest sports organization with over 40,000 members comprised of players, coaches, and officials. For more information, please visit www.hockeysask.ca or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X.