By Jonathan Huntington via Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League

Emilee Klapak is not going to forget Saturday, October 25, 2026. The 15-year-old Regina native became the first female to dress in a SMAAAHL regular-season game for the Swift Current Legionnaires when she became their emergency back-up goalie today.

“It’s probably one of the coolest experiences I have ever had,” said Klapak, just 40 minutes after Swift Current defeated the visiting Estevan Innovex Bears. “I’m so honoured.”

Legionnaires Head Coach Todd Hornung needed an emergency back-up today due to regular goalie Josh Benjamin being with Team Saskatchewan at the WHL Cup and other options not available. Hornung approached the U18AAA Female Swift Current Innovation Federal Credit Union Wildcats to ask for a netminder.

Klapak immediately agreed to the request – pending her parents were OK with the decision. It’s a decision that leaves her with many memories for years to come – including a rookie lap surprise from her new Legionnaire teammates. “They (the Legionnaire teammates) were really nice and fun,” remarked Klapak.

While Klapak didn’t see the ice after warm-ups, Hornung had quietly admitted a few hours before the game that if Swift Current had a comfortable lead in the third period, he would have considered giving her a few minutes between the pipes.

Klapak becomes the second-ever female to dress for a game in the league’s 40-plus year history. Ava Drabyk dressed as a back-up goalie on December 5, 2021 for the Saskatoon Blazers.