The U18 AA West Central Wheat Kings, coached by Unity’s Pat Sperle, saw five members of their team selected as being among the top 80 in the north half of the province. The top 160 played in a regional camp at Aberdeen Feb. 1 to 5, after which the selection of the top 80 was made.
Goalie Jaden Blanchette and forward Kaden Sperle of Unity, defenceman Chase Weinkauf and forward Kaegen Lowe of Macklin and forward Austin Schafer of Kindersley all made the cut.
These players will be competing in a tournament in Regina, April 12-14, along with the top 80 from the south of the province. Scouts from both the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League will be in attendance at the tournament.
Unity’s Kaden Sperle, who had to adjust to playing centre this year after being a left winger for his prior years in hockey, said he enjoyed the top 160 tournament, “getting to see players I haven’t seen a while and getting to meet new people.”
Macklin’s Chase Weinkauf, who switched to defence from centre when playing at the atom level, also “enjoyed meeting all the different players.” He added, “getting used to playing with new players was the biggest challenge.”
Kaden found “getting ready and into the game” challenging as there were no warmups before games. “You had to be ready beforehand.”
Kaden was surprised, and pleased, to make it to the next level, as he was a bit hampered with an ankle injury. He said, “It means a lot to be selected to showcase my skills in front of many scouts, and added he is “looking forward to display my skills and meet more new people.”
Chase also said the opportunity to play at the top 160 tournament in April “means a lot. It is a privilege to take part in this weekend and I’m excited to be able to showcase my skills.” He is looking forward to playing other top players in his age group and is expecting a “quicker pace and higher intensity” in the games.
The HockeySask website states, the “program is intended to recognize the talent and abilities of those players playing below the U18 ‘AAA’ level” and to allow the players to showcase those talents and abilities in front of the SJHL and WHL scouts. It is for players born in 2006, ’07 and ’08.
