By Hockey Saskatchewan

REGINA, Sask. – The Sask First High-Performance Program is excited to welcome players back for the 2023 Male Under-18 Top 160 Tournament held at the Co-operators Centre in Regina, Sask., from April 21-23.

Evaluations during the Regional Camps in Aberdeen and Lumsden, Sask., held last February were used to narrow down a player pool of 320 for this upcoming tournament.

These male athletes born in 2005, 2006, and 2007 will hit the ice on Friday, April 21, for team practices. Players will then compete on eight (8) teams in a round-robin competition throughout the weekend before concluding with the A, B, C, and D finals on Sunday, April 23.

TOURNAMENT HUB - Click Here For Rosters/Schedule

Working in partnership with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), Sask First offers this tournament to give players an opportunity to take their careers to the next level, and potentially be selected to play at higher levels of competitive hockey with scholarship possibilities.

The Saskatchewan Development Model (SDM) provides aspiring players with a guide of pathways available to them within Western Canada for their career to progress and is available for download HERE.

This event would not be possible without the referees and linespersons selected to officiate the Sask First tournament. They will be officiating games while being supervised and evaluated with the aid of SODM official coaches and experienced officials.

Due to inclement weather currently affecting areas of the province, Hockey Saskatchewan wants to remind all participants to exercise caution while travelling to the event. Please check the Highway Hotline (https://hotline.gov.sk.ca/) and weather updates (https://weather.gc.ca/) for the latest information on road conditions and plan your route accordingly. Be mindful of potential hazards that may arise due to bad weather conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure your safety.

 

At this time, Hockey Saskatchewan wants to emphasize that the safety of our participants is our top priority. Please allow for extra time to reach the venue, in case of any delays or detours.

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.

The Sask First Program is a gateway to Hockey Canada’s High-Performance Program which includes National Teams such as the World Juniors. There is a long list of notable players who have gone through the Sask First Program which includes NHL players Chandler Stephenson, Brayden Schenn, and Damon Severson, just to name a few. Up-and-coming players such as Nolan Allan, Kevin Korchinski, and Connor Zary also went through the Sask First Program.

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.