The Battlefords AAA Sharks will play the Swift Wildcats in Wilkie this weekend for a neutral-site game. (File photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Hockey Day, Sunday

AAA Sharks, Wildcats to showcase female game with neutral-site contest

Dec 2, 2021 | 1:08 PM

The Battlefords Sharks U18 AAA team will hop on the bus to Wilkie this weekend, to host the Swift Current AAA Wildcats in a neutral-site game at the SaskCan Community Centre.

Taking place Sunday, this weekend’s game will mark the first exhibition contest the U18 Sharks have played in Wilkie in four years.

Perhaps no player is looking forward to Sunday’s game more than Wilkie product, Brooklyn Salewski. In addition to being from the community, Salewski was also a part of the Northwest Sharks U15 AA team who have played games in Wilkie over the last couple of years.

“I’m excited to be playing back in my hometown rink again and that we can host a female AAA game,” Salewski said, in anticipation for the weekend. “Hopefully we have a good crowd with local residents and surrounding area who can enjoy coming to watch.”

Sharks head coach, Ricci Girolami said it’s a game the team has had marked on the calendar for some time, as a valuable way to reach out to the surrounding region.

Made in Saskatchewan

Find My Plus One: The Canadian App for Getting Out and Living Your Best Life

Mar 09, 2026

Riderville

Ask Not for Whom the Ed Hervey Tampering Window Opens!

Feb 02, 2026

Seniors Scene

New Year - New Habits

Feb 02, 2026

“It’s always important to play in these smaller centres to promote the girls game,” Girolami said. “It is important to grow the grassroots part of this league, and give girls who may not usually have a chance to watch some high caliber hockey a chance to do so.”

The Sharks will be looking to build off a busy start to the 2021-22 season, playing 14 games through the first six weeks of the season. Despite the high volume of games however, the team has been playing some of their best hockey of late, having won five of their last seven games heading into the weekend.

In addition to the Sharks’ connections to the Wilkie area, there is also no shortage of west central talent on the Wildcats’ roster.

Both Laiken Swan (Plenty, Sask.) and rookie Addison Eurich (Luseland, Sask.) are off to great starts at the U18 level, while Caitlyn Perlinger, Shelby Rublee and Gracie Georget are from nearby Kindersley.

Wildcats head coach, Terry Pavley echoed Girolami’s thoughts surrounding the value of showcasing the girls’ game to other communities in the province.

“We are really excited about the opportunity to play in Wilkie,” Pavley said. “Anytime we get the opportunity to showcase our league in smaller centres around Saskatchewan, it always becomes a great way to promote our league and both of our programs.”

Sunday’s game between the Sharks and Wildcats will begin at Wilkie’s SaskCan Community Centre at 1:30 p.m.

– With files from Phil Heilman

—

Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1