The U13 AA West Central Wheat Kings haven't played a home game since November 5, but will finally be back on their own ice this weekend after a two week stretch that included a tournament in Martensville and a three-game road-trip to Nipawin, Humboldt, and Saskatoon.
Losing both Friday and Saturday, the Wheat Kings salvaged a win on Sunday to move their record to 4-5-1 early on this season. Set for a pair of games at the West Central Events Centre in Kindersley, they will look to stay in the win column Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM when Humboldt visits, and if not will have another kick at the can on Sunday at 2:00 against the Saskatoon Mission.
#9 Carson Duchscherer getting a shot on net (Photos via Sheldon Reschny)WestCentralOnline checked in with U13 Wheat Kings coach Sheldon Reschny prior the team's recent road trip. The bench boss is seeing growth as his team works through the early season.
"I think it has been going fairly good. The kids are improving from what I see, and are being competitive." said Reschny. "It took a little bit off the start, aside from the returning players, to get used to the time and space. But, it's coming along pretty good in my opinion."
The Wheat Kings two leading scorers so far this season are both returning players. Landon Reschny led the team in points last year, and is on his way to being in the conversation again with 21 points in ten games played. Brayden McBride is the next closest with 19 points in those ten games, making a major jump this year after posting only 8 points in 24 games last season.
They are typically line-mates, but Landon Reschny and McBride perfectly represent a U13 version of McDavid and Draisaitl playing up and down the lineup as necessary. The duo is a great tool in the coach's belt behind the bench, but he was quick to credit the whole team for their attack.
"We have juggled up the lines a few times when we don't think things are going as well as they should be." explained coach Reschny. "They have done well, but so have a lot of the other players."
#4 might lead the team in goals, and #7 in assists, but the team's effort overall has been a major positive for Reschny.
Wheat Kings goalie Reid Kiefer making a stop The SAAHL schedule will calm down after the next few weekends. After the Wheat Kings final two games of November this weekend in Kindersley, another two games on the road December 1 and December 2 will put an end to their 2023 regular season.
Reschny and the team will then shift focus to their home tournament. That is one of two extra competitions coming up for the team.
"We are hosting our own tournament in Kindersley in mid-December. Ten team tournament, five Alberta teams and five Saskatchewan teams so that should be good. And then we are going into a (Lloydminster) tournament in January."
The U13 Wheat Kings are the youngest of three West Central Wheat Kings AA programs. Follow along with the Wheat Kings, and Western Prairie Female Hockey with AA Wednesday's every week.
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