The Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA) in partnership with the University of Regina Cougars Women’s Hockey Team held the Eighth Annual Mandi Schwartz Challenge September 21 to 24 at the Cooperators Centre in Regina.
The event is held in memory of the granddaughter of Marge and the late Paul Wonitowy of Kamsack and the late Willie and Emma Schwartz of Runnymede. Mandi died in 2011 of cancer.
The tournament-style event also worked as the final selection phase for U18 Female Team Saskatchewan that will represent this province at the National Women’s U18 Championship which will take place in Quebec City in November.
The top 27 players chosen from the summer camp were to attend this tournament for Team Saskatchewan, said information from the organizers. Each player was to be evaluated during practices, games, fitness and other intangibles and the top 20 will make up Team Saskatchewan and that roster was to be announced on September 26.
Among the top 27 players was Hannah Pennell of Kamsack, who plays defense.
At the Mandi Schwartz Challenge, the Team Saskatchewan hopefuls were to face-off against the Regina Cougars to kick off the event. Other teams participating included the University of Manitoba, SAIT, Regina Bantam AA Monarchs and Lady Cougars Alumni.
This is a unique event as few provincial branches within Canada partner with CIS teams for a competitive tournament such as the Mandi Schwartz Challenge, the information said.
The Female SaskFirst High Performance Program begins every February with regional camps held across the province and is open to all players in the U16 and U18 categories. From there, the top players are invited to take plart in the SaskFirst Tournament held in April at which time the top 42 are chosen to attend the upcoming summer camp. The process ensures all players not only have the opportunity to compete with their peers, but receive significant exposure as all SaskFirst events are highly attended by scouts from a variety of elite leagues.
In addition, the SaskFirst Program is a gateway to Hockey Canada’s Female High Performance Program which includes their National Teams.
The SaskFirst Program is unique as no other provincial branches offer such in-depth developmental program for athletes, coaches and officials. It remains the mission of the SHA to lead, promote and develop positive hockey experiences across the entire Province of Saskatchewan.
