By Hockey Saskatchewan

REGINA, Sask. – Hockey Saskatchewan is excited to be hosting the annual Sask First Female Under-18 Top 80 Tournament, taking place from April 14-16, 2023, at the Co-operators Centre in Regina.

Evaluations during the Provincial Camp in Southey, Sask., held last February were used to narrow down a player pool of 118 for this upcoming tournament.

For the Top 80 Tournament, 2006- and 2007-born athletes will hit the ice first thing in the morning on Friday, April 14, for team practices. Athletes will then compete on four (4) teams in a round-robin competition under the direction of skilled coaches. Tournament action begins on Friday afternoon and concludes with the A and B Finals on Sunday, April 16.

TOURNAMENT HUB - Click Here For Rosters/Schedule

The tournament marks the second installment in the selection phase for next season's Team Saskatchewan. At the conclusion of the Top 80 Tournament, the top 25-32 players will be chosen to attend Orientation/Summer/Fall camps before the final 20 athletes get the nod to represent their province at the National Women’s U18 Championship in September 2023.

This event not only provides an opportunity for athletes to be seen by scouts, but it also includes a crucial aspect of training officials. Referees and linespersons selected for the tournament will receive supervision and evaluation from experienced SODM official coaches and officials to enhance their skills and ensure that they provide the highest quality officiating.

Next week, the Sask First program will return to the Co-operators Centre for the Male U18 Top 160 Tournament from April 21-23, 2023.

The Minor Female Hockey Development Model provides knowledge of a standardized province-wide system for all players to progress from the grassroots levels through to elite play, and is available for download HERE.

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

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, and officials. The participants are enriched as individuals and can achieve self-satisfaction and enjoyment as part of 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 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.