Rocanville, Wapella, Esterhazy prepare for Senior Provincials and Playoffs
January 26, 2026, 11:07 am
Donnie Matichuk
Last week we looked at Moosomin, Redvers, Langenburg, and Round Lake as they got ready for their final regular season match-ups and looked ahead to Provincials. This week we spoke with members of the Rocanville Tigers, Wapella Blackhawks, and Esterhazy Flyers.
Rocanville Tigers
First was Ashley Howie of the Rocanville Tigers, who are in second place in the South Division of the Sask East Hockey League. Their record of 9-3 is also good enough for fourth in the league.
“The season’s been good so far, kind of a slow start to the year but now that we’ve got going its gone well. We’ve got our last four games coming up, and they are all against the top teams in the league. That will be a good test for us,” said Howie.
The Tigers’ last four games see them take on Esterhazy, Langenburg, Canora, and Swan Valley, who have a combined 37-12 record this year.
“I think something that’s made us successful this year has been our depth. We haven’t been short guys basically ever this year, or really in previous years as well. Our defense has been really solid, so that’s been a big factor. Even though we kind of had a run around with goalies, we’ve found our guy and he’s been solid,” he said.
The Tigers made a run to the Emile Balogh Trophy Finals last year in the SEHL Playoffs, and Howie says that having a similar squad this season has paid off in close games.
“I think having a core group and having a lot of guys that get along and welcome new players is a big reason for our success over the last few years. Going into playoffs this season it’s going to get tougher, playing more often and always facing the other team’s best, you have to find another gear because there’s a bit more on the line. Having that experience from last year will help a lot I think,” he said.
Along with playoffs, Rocanville is also entered into Senior B Provincials, and are matched up against the Balcarres Broncs.
“We’re feeling pretty good going into Provincials. We’ve been playing well recently so it’s good to go in with some confidence. You don’t really know a lot about other teams, you see names and see how they are doing in the standings but you’re mostly going in blind which makes it pretty interesting.
We picked up two guys from Churchbridge’s team, so when the time comes I think we’re ready. We haven’t been in Provincials for the last two years, but going back eight or ten years we made it to a final and won one championship (2015), so we have had some success,” said Howie.
“There’s a lot of guys on the team now that have played in league finals or big provincial games, so it definitely helps to have some experience for the guys who haven’t been there to go out and win some hockey games. We’re looking forward to hopefully go on a run and put on a show.”
Wapella Hawks
Next was Wapella coach Dave Garvey. The Hawks currently sit at 4-9 and are fourth in the SEHL South.
“It’s been an up and down year so far, we’ve had some close games that could’ve gone our way, but sometimes you don’t get lucky or you have an off night, that’s just how hockey goes. There’s lots of factors in Senior that aren’t in other levels in hockey, guys have to work or with their kids, and sometimes it doesn’t work in your favour,” said Garvey.
The Hawks have four games left before playoffs kick off, and with goaltender Matt D’Orazio questionable with an injury, they are hoping that they will be at full strength before then.
Wapella is entered into the Provincial Senior C Division, and are matched-up against the Craik Warriors. Craik plays in the Sask Valley Hockey League, and sits at sixth place of ten teams with a 7-6 record so far.
“The last time we were in provincials was in, I believe ‘93. We haven’t had a senior team for four years, and then a 29 year gap before that.
“We’re a very young team, we’ve got eight players under age 21, so we will get better as things go on down the road. Right now, we have to mature a little bit. We’re young in a man’s league, so size and experience are both things that will come with time,” he said.
Esterhazy Flyers
Esterhazy Flyers coach Michael Kaczmar noted that his team had a good start to the season, but injuries and suspensions have contributed to a tough go for the last few games.
“A lot of the success we’ve had starts on the back end, when everyone is there and healthy, we have a top defensive core in the league. Our goals for the rest of the season are to finish strong and end on a high note, and going into playoffs the ultimate goal is to of course win the league,” he said.
“This season, we’ve added some more talent compared to last year, and even though last season was successful, we want to make the next step this year. I think the only improvements anyone wants to see from year-to-year is to get stronger, faster, and better than you were before. Winning is fun, and you want to build on that,” Kaczmar added.
Esterhazy upset the third seeded Langenburg Warriors as a sixth seed in last year’s playoffs in three games, but were tired out from the tough series and were swept by the Rocanville Tigers in the next round.
“I think that with the additions we have on the team this year, we should be able to make a decent run in the playoffs. Not making it to the league final would be a disappointment,” he said.
The Flyers, Tigers, and Hawks will all be back in action when the SEHL Playoffs kick off in February.
