The AA NorthWest Stars and AAA Battlefords Sharks will be among the first teams in the community to kick off their preseason schedules this weekend. (Left: submitted photo/Boyd Wakelin; Right: File photo/battlefordsNOW)

By Martin Martinson

Hockey Returns

Opening weekend lies ahead for Battlefords Minor Hockey

Oct 15, 2020 | 2:30 PM

Following an – at times – tumultuous offseason, filled with question marks and uncertainty, hockey will return to the Battlefords this weekend.

The Battlefords Minor Hockey Association (BMHA) will see at least two local teams take to the ice to kick off their exhibition season this weekend, as both the AAA Sharks, and the AA U15 NorthWest Stars will play Sunday.

The Sharks will play host to the Prince Albert Bears with a 1 p.m. puck drop at Battleford Arena. The Stars meanwhile, will travel to Kindersley to play the West Central Wheat Kings, for an evening start at 7 p.m.

Head coach of the U15s, Boyd Wakelin, said there’s an anticipation in the air at the local rink, just to know the fall season now sits right around the corner.

“It’s definitely exciting, everything’s kind of starting to come together pretty quick,” he said. “Once the Sask. Hockey Association and Sask. Health announced we could go ahead with scheduling, we got on the phone right away. We’re just excited the kids will get to play some games, and we have a pretty good group of young men this year, so it’s going to be fun to get things going this weekend.”

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The U15 NorthWest Stars solidified their team late last month, and have been practicing since.

The Stars will play West Central twice in exhibition play, prior to the start of the regular season, Nov. 1. The Sharks will also play a total of two exhibition games, with their second coming against Saskatoon on Oct. 31.

Wakelin said more than anything, he’s just happy to see the youth have a chance to get back on the ice and playing the game they enjoy.

“I just think it’s really important, especially with how everything was shutdown, for the kids to be able to get back to doing something they love,” he said. “It’s important not only for their physical wellbeing, but I think even their mental health as well. Just to be back out and with their friends socializing, it’s going to be great to see.”

While this weekend marks the start of the preseason for some in the minor hockey community, others will kick off their schedule next weekend. Both the AAA Stars and U13 NorthWest Stars, are among those who will open their preseason the weekend of Oct. 24.

For more on the Return to Play Guidelines and timelines on when specific age groups are eligible to begin play, click here.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1