By Hockey Saskatchewan

REGINA, Sask. – The Sask First High-Performance program is excited to introduce the 2022-23 coaching staffs for Team Saskatchewan’s Female Under-18 and Male Under-16 programs.

Both benches will lead and nurture squads full of young talent to represent Saskatchewan against some of the best players the country has to offer at the Canada Winter Games from February 18th to March 5th, 2023, in Prince Edward Island.

Heading into next season, both the Female U18 and Male U16 teams will be led by Head Coaches, Robin Ulrich and Ryan McDonald, respectively.

“We are excited to announce both Team Saskatchewan staffs for the 2023 Canada Games in P.E.I. We have a mix of both returning coaches and new coaches on the staffs. Being one year out from the Canada Games gives us a lot of time for both groups to prepare the Provincial teams to compete in the Canada Games.” – Joel Houseman, Senior Coordinator of High Performance.

Hockey Saskatchewan offers its congratulations to those selected and wishes them all the best in the coming season.

Female Under-18 Program

Coaching Staff

Robin Ulrich (Lampman, SK) will serve as the Head Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female U18. Ulrich currently serves as Head Coach for the Saskatoon Stars in the Saskatchewan Female U18 “AAA” Hockey League.

Deana Gelinas (Regina, SK) will serve as the Assistant Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female U18. Gelinas currently serves as Assistant Coach for the U-11 “A” Regina Shamrocks. In addition, Gelinas is a four-time Female Team Saskatchewan coach and has been heavily involved as a Sask First program evaluator.

Alana Serhan (Porcupine Plain, SK) will serve as the Assistant Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female U18. Serhan currently serves as Assistant Coach for Female U15 “AA” Regina Rebels.

Kori Herner (Saskatoon, SK) will return to serve as the Video Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female U18. Herner currently serves as an Assistant Coach for the Saskatoon Stars of the Saskatchewan Female U18 “AAA” Hockey League. In addition, Herner served as an Assistant Coach on the Team Saskatchewan Female U16 program the past two seasons.

Male Under-16 Program

Coaching Staff

Ryan McDonald (Prince Albert, SK) will return to serve as the Head Coach for Team Saskatchewan Male U16. McDonald currently serves as Assistant Coach for the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League. In addition, McDonald served as an Assistant Coach on the Team Saskatchewan Male U16 program the past three seasons.

Darrin McKechnie (Mossbank, SK) will serve as the Assistant Coach for Team Saskatchewan Male U16. McKechnie currently serves as Head Coach for the Regina Pat Canadians of the Saskatchewan Male U18 “AAA” Hockey League (SMAAAHL). In addition, McKechnie was an Assistant Coach with the Team Saskatchewan Male U16 program last season.

Brett Pilkington (Wilcox, SK) will serve as the Assistant Coach for Team Saskatchewan Male U16. Pilkington currently serves as Head Coach and General Manager for the Notre Dame Hounds of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. In addition, Pilkington was a Video Coach with the Team Saskatchewan Male U16 program last season.

Mark Peterson (Saskatoon, SK) will serve as the Assistant Coach for Team Saskatchewan Male U16. Peterson currently serves as Assistant Coach for the U18 “AA” Saskatoon RiverKings of the GSHL. In addition, Peterson was an Assistant Coach with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Men’s Hockey team in U Sports for five seasons and has coached with the Sask First program for many years.

About SASK FIRST

The Sask First Program was introduced by Hockey Saskatchewan in 1988 and since that time the program has brought great pride and accomplishment within our province. The Sask First Program was designed to provide a better understanding of the game as well as to promote the development of quality players, coaches, trainers, officials and administrators. The participants are enriched as individuals and can achieve self-satisfaction and enjoyment as part of the hockey community.

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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 43,000 members comprised of players, coaches, and officials. For more information, please visit www.hockeysask.ca or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.