PREECEVILLE — The senior Preeceville Pats hockey team, after a 20-year absence, has announced its return and schedule for the 2023/24 season.
The team has joined the Sask. East Hockey League, preparing to battle the other projected teams in the 10-team league: Theodore Buffalos, Canora Cobras, Swan Valley Axe Men, Cote Selects, Wapella Hawks, Ituna Avalanche, Rocanville Tigers and the Churchbridge Imperials. Preeceville’s first game will be a road matchup against the Cote Selects in Kamsack on Nov. 4.
Home games will begin on Nov. 11 against Canora. Other home games scheduled are, Nov. 17 against Theodore, Nov. 25, against Wapella, Dec. 2 against the Imperials, Dec. 16 against Cote, Jan. 20 against Wapella and Feb. 3 versus Swan Valley.
Away games will include: Dec. 9 at Theodore, Dec. 22 against Canora, Dec. 29 against Swan Valley, Jan. 5 at Rocanville, Jan. 12 against Ituna and Jan. 27 at Churchbridge.
The Pats current executive and staff will see:
- Jesse Nelson as coach and president;
- Dreyton Paul, vice-president;
- Jamie Leason, secretary and marketing, social media co-ordinator.
Members-at-large are:
- Eric Drader,
- Greg Olson,
- James Bodnar,
- Lindsey Bashforth and
- Reece Gulka.
Corianne Metherell is the trainer and Tracy Karcha serves as volunteer co-ordinator.
The Sask East Hockey League will begin its fourth season the weekend of Nov. 3-4 with 10 teams participating and five teams in each division, according to a release from the league.
At a league meeting held in Theodore, it was determined that teams will play a 14-game schedule (home and home against teams within the division as well as a home and home against one team outside of the division and then one game only against the other four teams in the opposite division).
The North Division features the expansion Preeceville Pats, the Canora Cobras, Cote Selects (who are also building a new facility and hopeful to be playing in it by the end of November), Swan Valley Axemen, and defending champion Theodore Buffalos.
The South Division will consist of the expansion Churchbridge Imperials, Ituna Avalanche (who are in the process of building a new arena with a hopeful opening in December), Langenburg Warriors, Rocanville Tigers, and Wapella Blackhawks.
