By Hockey Saskatchewan

REGINA, Sask. – Twenty players from Saskatchewan have been selected to represent their province at the 2023 WHL Cup.

Team Saskatchewan Male Under-16 (U16) will have their sights set on hoisting the trophy, as the squad prepares to travel to Red Deer, Alta., to participate in the tournament from October 18 to 22, 2023.

The final roster consists of two goaltenders, six defencemen, and 12 forwards from across Saskatchewan. The full roster can be viewed HERE.

“This journey began last December, with a vision to harness and nurture the incredible talent that Saskatchewan has to offer. Through a rigorous selection process, intense training camps, and spirited tournament play, we've watched these players evolve,” said Joel Houseman, Director of Operations of Sask First. “The WHL Cup marks the culmination of our 2022-23 program, showcasing the extraordinary growth and potential of our squad. Together, we'll carry the pride of Saskatchewan onto the ice, ready to leave our mark in Red Deer.”

As is the tradition at the WHL Cup, Team Saskatchewan will be competing against provincial teams from Alberta, Manitoba and British Columbia. The teams will battle it out for the tournament’s top spot, and at the same time, 2008-born players will be looking to impress the junior-league scouts expected to be in attendance.

Established in 2009, the WHL Cup is held every season except in years when the Canada Winter Games are contested. Saskatchewan won its lone gold medal in 2019, defeating Manitoba 4-2 in the final. This year will mark the 10th WHL Cup, formerly known as the Western Canada U16 Challenge Cup.

Next month’s round-robin tournament followed by playoffs will be played exclusively at Peavey Mart Centrium. Team Saskatchewan will open their WHL Cup schedule against Team B.C. at 7 p.m. MT on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023.

Team Saskatchewan will be led by head coach Ryan McDonald. He will be joined by assistant coaches Brett Pilkington and Mark Peterson along with video coach Todd White, equipment manager Josh Brown and athletic therapist Kacey Marcinkiw.

To keep up-to-date with Team Saskatchewan and their 2023 WHL Cup quest, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).

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, X, and Instagram.