WEYBURN - Hockey Saskatchewan has announced the restructuring of the Under-18 AA league in order to make room for the newly formed AA 15-year-old league. The shift aims to promote the Under-18 age group while providing an alternate option for 15-year-olds that are entering the Under-18 division.
The Under-18 AA league, currently comprising of 25 teams, will now consist of a 22-team league for the upcoming season.
The teams that will participate in next season’s AA league Weyburn, along with Balgonie (Prairie Storm), Battlefords (Northwest), Estevan, Humboldt, Martensville, Moose Jaw, Tisdale (Northeast), Notre Dame, Shellbrook (Parkland), Prince Albert, Regina – 3 teams, Saskatoon – 4 teams, Swift Current, Warman, Kerrobert (West Central) and Yorkton.
The newly formed AA 15-year-old league is the first of its kind in Saskatchewan. A total of eight teams will participate in the inaugural season, including Weyburn, along with Battlefords, Moose Jaw, Martensville, Melville, Prince Albert, Regina, and Saskatoon.
“The launch of the AA 15-year-old League for next season provides another pathway for graduating U15 players into the three-year U18 age division. It allows these players another opportunity to continue the development of their skills with hope of playing U18 AA and U18 AAA in the following years,” said Kelly McClintock, General Manager of Hockey Saskatchewan.
“We’re committed to growing and improving hockey in Saskatchewan, and we believe these changes will help us achieve that goal. Another complete review of the Male AAA/AA structure in the province will be completed next year and biannually every odd year from this point forward.”
In posting the news about Weyburn’s inclusion in the two leagues, Hockey Weyburn said, “Exciting times ahead as we begin the plans for a new team!”
The review of the U18 AA hockey league along with the addition of the AA 15-year-old league aligns with objectives outlined in Hockey Saskatchewan’s 2022-25 Strategic Plan.
