After coming agonizingly close to winning the Esso Cup last season – losing a one-goal heartbreaker to St. Albert in the gold medal game – the Saskatoon Stars returned 13 players and dominated the SFMAAAHL. The Stars won their first 20 games and lost just one of 28 to finish 24 points ahead of Regina atop the standings. Saskatoon averaged more than five goals a game (149 GF in 28 GP) and iced the second, third, fourth and fifth leading scorers in the league. Between the pipes, Arden Kliewer was lights out, going 16-0 with seven shutouts while posting the best goals-against average (1.21).

PLAYOFF MATCH-UPS
2) Regina Rebels vs. 7) Melville Prairie Fire
3) Swift Current Wildcats vs. 6) Battlefords Sharks
4) Prince Albert Bears vs. 5) Notre Dame Hounds

BYE:
1) Saskatoon Stars

FINAL STANDINGS (W-OTW-OTL-L)
Saskatoon – 78 points (24-3-0-1)
Regina – 54 points (16-1-4-7)
Swift Current – 50 points (15-2-1-10)
Prince Albert – 49 points (13-4-2-9)
Notre Dame – 38 points (11-1-3-13)
Battlefords – 33 points (7-4-4-13)
Melville – 30 points (8-2-2-16)
Weyburn – 4 points (1-0-1-26)

LEADING SCORERS
Taylor Lind (Swift Current) – 29G 31A 60P
Grace Shirley (Saskatoon) – 27G 21A 48P
Kaitlin Jockims (Saskatoon) – 21G 24A 45P
Anna Leschyshyn (Saskatoon) – 18G 21A 39P
Joelle Fiala (Saskatoon) – 11G 24A 35P

LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE
2018 (Saskatoon Stars – silver medal)

TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCES
9 (2010, 2010 (host), 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2016 (host), 2017, 2018)

LAST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
2014 (Weyburn Gold Wings)

TOTAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
2 (2011 – Notre Dame Hounds; 2014 – Weyburn Gold Wings)