Wildcats chasing U16 SaskFirst spots

Julianne Girardin FILE PHOTO BY STEVEN MAH

Three members of the Swift Current Graphic Edge Bantam AA Wildcats are looking to win spots in the U16 Female SaskFirst program.

The U16 evaluation tournament on April 10-12 was cancelled due to COVID-19, but the program has expanded its player opportunities this season and will be sending two teams to the Swift Current U18 AAA Wildcats Preseason Showcase scheduled for September 10-13.

The Top 34 players include 17 players from the north region and 17 players from the south region of the province. This format allows for more players to progress in the provincial program and develop their skill in a provincial setting. Ahead of the tournament, the Under-16 program will conduct their Summer camp this August alongside the Under-18 program.

Julianne Girardin (Meyronne) will be one of the six defenseman on the Team South blueline. She registered two goals, four assists, and 35 penalty minutes in 23 regular season games.

Team South will feature nine forwards where two Wildcats will continue to try and earn a spot on Team Sask. Sadie Keller (Gull Lake) placed third in league scoring with 33 points in 24 games. She added four points in two playoff wins. Jerzey Watteyne (Lafleche) was seventh in league scoring with 23 points in 24 games. She added three assists during two playoff victories.

The Bantam AA Wildcats placed first in the Saskatchewan Bantam AA Hockey League regular season with a 15-4-5 record. They had advanced to the provincial final series before the season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.