The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings are back on the ice Friday night, kicking off this year’s regular season. The newly renamed Whitecap Resources Centre (formerly Crescent Point Place) will be abuzz with hockey fans anticipating the start of the 2025-26 SJHL season.
The Wings went 2-2 in their preseason matchups, including a roaring 10-3 win over the Estevan Bruins. However, head coach and general manager for the Weyburn Red Wings, Cody Mapes, says the regular season is where it gets real.
“We're excited to get going. Obviously, the preseason is the preseason, now is when the real bullets start to fly, you know. Everybody gets a little more excited and we're excited to be starting at home this year. We haven't done that in a little while.”
While gameplay has only just begun, the team has been active in the offseason. Mapes says deals made over the summer brought in players that will strengthen their roster and add to the success of the team.
He also says they’re building off their wildly successful playoff run last year, that brought them to the Canterra Seeds Cup finals.
“We’re learning from our playoff run last year, what we need to win that last game. Our forward group is a little bigger, we're a little more competitive this year and while we were always going to be a team that skates well, I think that's going to be a staple for us all the time.”
“Practices have been good here and the boys are ready to go there. They've been competing hard this week to make sure we're prepared and our guys that are coming back from last year look very good. They've had good summers, and we're excited about the opportunities that they're going to have here.”
Fans will be celebrating last year’s success alongside the Red Wings. They ended the season at the top of the Viterra Division last year, earning the team another banner in the rafters, that will be raised at Friday night’s game.
The fan experience doesn’t stop there though, as the team is hosting a tailgate party ahead of the puck drop, offering live music, food vendors, activities, and more.
“We're about it. Part of our goal as an organization is to bring people together, whether that's at our games or events that we have. And I think this is just another opportunity for people to show up, be together, celebrate the hockey team and get excited for the game.”
The excitement begins at Whitecap Resources Centre at 4 p.m. The puck drops at 7 p.m. against the visiting Yorkton Terriers.