The sticks are taped, the skates are laced and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association provincial draws are out.
For many hockey players and fans this is the most exciting time of the season. The games really start to matter despite what level of hockey it is.
The Northwest is represented in nearly every provincial bracket.
Senior D
Starting at the senior level, the Edam 3 Stars entered provincials for the first time in a long time and will face the Dundurn Wheat Kings. This round needs to be completed by Feb. 11. Further down Highway 26, the Turtleford Tigers will face Kerrobert. This series needs to be completed by Jan. 29. Another team from the area, the Luseland Mallards, face the Elrose Aces, as there are 22 teams fighting for the provincial title.
Senior C
Another team from the North Saskatchewan River Hockey League, the Wilkie Outlaws, will face the Allan Flames. The deadline to finish the round is Feb. 11 The winner will face the winner between Macklin and Lake Lenore, as 20 teams are entered at this level.
Senior B
The Unity Minors, who are 4-12-0 in the Sask. West Hockey League will face the Perdue Pirates, who are 1-9-0-0 in the Saskatchewan Prairie Hockey League. That matchup will be completed by Feb. 25. There are nine teams entered in B provincials.
Senior A
Some of the best hockey this season is expected to be played between the 19 teams in senior A provincials. The St. Walburg Eagles face the Rosthern Wheat Kings with a series deadline of Feb. 11.
Senior AAA
Four teams will playoff for a chance to advance to the Allan Cup. Lloydminster plays Shellbrook and Rosetown faces Balgonie.
Midget D
A perfect bracket with 16 teams features the Macklin Mohawks against the Goodsoil Flyers. Another local matchup has Wilkie against the Kenaston Blizzards and the Edam 3 Stars face the Lake Lenore Hawks. The first round will be completed by Feb. 4
Midget C
In midget C provincials, the Maidstone Jets go up against the Shellbrook Elks, as one of eight first round matchups. The deadline for the first round is Feb. 4.
Midget B
There are 19 teams competing including St. Walburg, who will face Rosetown with a series deadline of Jan. 28.
Midget A
The Battlefords Midget Barons will likely fall into this category, but the draw wasn't posted on the SHA website at press time.
Midget AA
The Battlefords Barons fell 3-1 at home to North East and 7-1 on the road to be eliminated from the Centre Four Hockey League bracket of provincials. Midwest also dropped out in the first round, as they put up a good fight against Humboldt, but lost 3-2 and 4-1.
Bantam C
There are 15 teams in the draw including the St. Walburg Eagles who face the Dundurn Wolfpack with a series deadline of Feb. 18.
Bantam B
The Biggar Nationals are one of 21 teams in the draw and they will face the St. Louis Blues before Feb. 4. The winner of that series will move on to face the Spiritwood Timberwolves. Meadow Lake faces the Unity Lazers, as well, with a series deadline of Feb. 18.
Bantam A
The Battlefords Barons are one of seven teams in the draw and the only team to have a bye in the first round. The Barons will face the winner of Warman and Martensville in the northern final, which will be finished by Jan. 12.
Bantam AA
The Battlefords Barons will play out the regular season and from there, the playoffs will also be their provincial playoffs. The Barons are fifth in the North Division in the Saskatchewan Bantam AA Hockey League.
Peewee D
With 19 teams entered, Wilkie faces Lashburn in the first round and will be finished by Feb. 18
Peewee C
Biggar Nationals face Delisle before Feb. 4 while Unity faces Turtleford with a deadline of Feb. 18. Beardy's faces Spiritwood.
Peewee A
It is an eight-team bracket with the Battlefords facing Martensville. The winner will face either Humboldt or La Ronge in northern final.
Peewee AA
The Battlefords Barons held the sixth position when the provincial draw came out. They faced Prince Albert, who was seeded third. Prince Albert won 7-4 and 4-1 to advance to the second round.
Female Midget A
Neilburg faces Prince Albert in the northern semifinals with a deadline of Feb. 18 in the 10-team draw.
Female Midget AA
There are 11 teams in the provincial draw with West Central, made up of girls from stretching from the Battlefords to Dodsland, play Delisle in northern semifinal by Feb. 18.
