By Hockey Saskatchewan

REGINA, Sask. – The coaching staff for Hockey Saskatchewan's 2024 Sask First high-performance programs has been selected to guide teams through player selection, team preparation, and championship events.

The Female Under-18 Team Saskatchewan is gearing up for the National Women's U18 Championship, with the location and date yet to be announced. Meanwhile, the Male Under-16 Team Saskatchewan is preparing for the 2024 WHL Cup in Red Deer, Alta., scheduled for October.

Head coaches Alana Serhan and Brett Pilkington will lead the Female U18 and Male U16 teams, respectively, in the upcoming season.

“We're thrilled to unveil the lineup for both Team Saskatchewan staffs! With a dynamic mix of new and returning coaches, these passionate individuals will proudly represent the province, with an infusion of fresh energy and tactics. Get ready for an electrifying fall in 2024. Congratulations to the selected coaches!” said Joel Houseman, Director of Operations of Sask First.

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

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

Female U18 Program

Coaching Staff

Alana Serhan (Regina, SK) will return to serve as Head Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female U18. Serhan played five seasons with U Sports’ Manitoba Bisons and won a national championship with the women’s hockey team in 2018. In addition, Serhan has been heavily involved with the Sask First program.

Paige Sandvold (Lumsden, SK) will serve as Assistant Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female U18. Sandvold previously played for Team Saskatchewan and graduated from the Notre Dame Hounds program in the Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL). She attended Brown University on a Division 1 hockey scholarship for four seasons and became captain her final season.

Laurie Alexander (Pense, SK) will serve as Assistant Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female Under-18. She is a two-time NCAA Women’s Hockey champion with the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. Alexander also serves as Head Coach for the Female Under-13 AA Lumsden/Bethune Lynx.

Courtney Mish (Regina) will serve as the Video Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female Under-18. She spent two seasons with the University of Regina Cougars (U Sports) and played for Team Saskatchewan at the 2011 National Women's Under-18 Championship in Quebec.

Angela Mallory (Regina, SK) will return as the Goaltending Coach for Team Saskatchewan Female U18. Mallory has coached the SFU18AAAHL’s Notre Dame Hounds and U Sports’ Regina Cougars. In addition, Mallory was a two-time consecutive champion in Saskatchewan’s Female Senior A division.

Male U16 Program

Coaching Staff

Brett Pilkington (Wilcox, SK) will return to serve as Head Coach for Team Saskatchewan Male U16. Pilkington serves as Head Coach/General Manager for the Notre Dame Hounds of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). In addition, Pilkington has worked with the Team Saskatchewan Male U16 program for multiple seasons.

Mark Peterson (Saskatoon, SK) will return to serve as Assistant Coach for Team Saskatchewan Male U16. Peterson serves as Head Coach for the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League’s Saskatoon Contacts. In addition, Peterson has been involved with the Sask First program for many years.

Mitch Topinka (Regina, SK) will serve as Assistant Coach for Team Saskatchewan Male U16. Topinka also serves as Assistant Coach for the SJHL’s Notre Dame Hounds. Before coaching, he played Junior B and Senior A hockey in the province.

Kyle Schneider (La Ronge, SK) will serve as the Video Coach for Team Saskatchewan Male U16. Schneider has spent the past seasons as an Assistant Coach for the La Ronge Ice Wolves of the SJHL. Before coaching, he played in the SMAAAHL and SJHL.

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.