WILKIE ‑ Four years can be a long time between visits, but that ended up being the time gap for the Battlefords Sharks U18 female AAA team as they are set to host the Swift Current U18 AAA Innovation Credit Union Wildcats at the SaskCan Community Centre for an important Saskatchewan Female U18 AAA Hockey League matchup on Dec. 5.
The timing couldn’t be any better either, as Wilkie product Brooklyn Salewski gets to play in her own barn yet again. She was a member of the Northwest Sharks U15 female AA team that has held games in Wilkie over the last couple of years.
“I’m excited to be playing back in my hometown rink again and that we can host a female AAA game. Hopefully we have a good crowd with local residents and surrounding area who can enjoy coming to watch,” said Salewski
Sharks head coach Ricci Girolami offered up some insight.
“It’ll be my first-time coaching in Wilkie. It’s always important to play in these smaller centres to promote the girls’ game. It is important to grow the grassroots part of this league and give girls who may not have a chance to watch some high calibre hockey,” said Girolami.
“[This is] something we should be doing more often as a league. We hope to showcase the Sharks to the best of our ability,” he added.
The Sharks look to build off a busy and tough start to the 2021-22 season, playing 14 games in the first six weeks of the season.
On the other end, there is no shortage of west central talent on the Wildcats roster, as both Laiken Swan (Plenty) and rookie Addison Eurich (Luseland) are off to great starts in the U18 circuit. Swan and Eurich are joined by Kindersley products Caitlyn Perlinger, Shelby Rublee and Gracie Georget.
Wildcats head coach Terry Pavley echoed Girolami’s thoughts about showing off the girls' game of hockey.
“We are really excited about the opportunity to play in Wilkie. Any time we get the opportunity to showcase our league in smaller centres around Saskatchewan, it [always becomes] a great way to promote our league and both of our programs,” said Pavley in a Nov. 5 text.
The Wildcats are also no stranger to playing neutral site games, as Pavley mentioned how positive an experience it has been for both his team and the communities they have visited.
He also praised the play of both Swan and Eurich.
“Laiken has a great shot, with a quick release and has good offensive instincts around the opposing net,” said Pavley. “Addison will be a real good player in this league as she gains more game experience due to her hockey IQ, work ethic and coachability.”
