By Hockey Saskatchewan

REGINA, Sask. – Hockey Saskatchewan and the Sask First high-performance program will host the annual Female Under-16 (U16) Tournament from April 5 to 7, 2024, in Regina. The second phase of the program, held at the Co-operators Centre, will feature a collection of rising hockey players showcasing their skills and competing against each other.

Players born in 2009 and 2010 were selected from Regional Camps held in Dalmeny and Pense, Sask., narrowing down a pool of 136 candidates for this tournament.

The tournament will kick off on Friday, April 5, with team practices followed by a round-robin competition involving eight teams. The finals, categorized into A, B, C, and D, will be held on Sunday, April 2, 2023.

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The Sask First program provides players with the opportunity to improve their skills and catch the eye of scouts from various leagues, including the Saskatchewan Female U18 “AAA” Hockey League (SFU18AAAHL).

After the tournament, the top 40 athletes will be selected to attend the Summer Camp in Regina in August 2024. From there, two rosters of 18 players each will be chosen to represent Team Saskatchewan on two squads at the Fall Showcase event, where they will compete against clubs from the SFU18AAAHL in the Sask First program’s final phase.

A total of 13 referees and linespersons will officiate the Sask First tournament under the supervision and evaluation of experienced officials and Saskatchewan Officiating Development Model (SODM) official coaches.

In mid-April, the Sask First program will return for the annual Female Under-18 tournament in Balgonie and Regina will host the Male Under-18 tournament.

The Minor Female Hockey Development Model ensures standardized province-wide progression for players, from grassroots to elite levels.

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.

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.