A fourth Esso Cup appearance in five years is on the table for the
Saskatoon Stars. All the SFMAAAHL champions need to do is tame a Westman
Wildcats team gunning for a return to Canada’s National Female Midget
Championship for the first time since winning the inaugural national title
in 2009.
The 2018-19 Stars feature a whopping 13 players who captured a silver medal
at the 2018 Esso Cup. Paige Hubbard and Gillian Dervin are the only two
members of this year’s Wildcats squad who won the MFMHL title in 2017 and
competed in the West Regional against the Prince Albert Bears.
Saskatoon’s dynamic offence is fueled by Grace Shirley, Kaitlin Jockims,
Anna Leschyshyn and Joelle Fiala, who finished second through fifth in
SFMAAHL scoring. Ali O’Hara and Hubbard both recorded over a point-per-game
for Westman, but the Wildcats are more heralded for their defence; Natalie
Williamson produced a 0.81 goals-against average and .971 save percentage
in the MFMHL playoffs.
RECENT CHAMPIONS (ESSO CUP FINISH)
2018 – Saskatoon Stars (silver medal)
2017 – Prince Albert Bears (fifth place)
2016 – Saskatoon Stars (fourth place)
2015 (SK) – Saskatoon Stars (bronze medal)
2015 (MB) – Central Plains Capitals (fourth place)
2014 – Weyburn Gold Wings (gold medal)
WESTMAN WILDCATS
MFMHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 21-5-2 (1st in MFMHL)
Goals for: 80
Goals against: 53
Leading scorer: Ali O’Hara (14G 16A 30P)
Playoff record: 9-1
Goals for: 32
Goals against: 13
Leading scorer: Paige Hubbard (8G 7A 15P)
ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Quarter-final: defeated Interlake 3-1 (6-2, 2-1, 1-2, 4-0)
Semifinal: defeated Winnipeg Ice 3-0 (3-1, 3-2 OT, 5-2)
MFMHL championship: defeated Winnipeg Avros 3-0 (2-0, 4-3, 2-0)
Last national championship appearance: 2009 (gold medal)
Total national championship appearances: 1 (2009)
SASKATOON STARS
SFMAAAHL CHAMPIONS
Regular season record: 24-1-3 (1st in SFMAAAHL)
Goals for: 149
Goals against: 44
Leading scorer: Grace Shirley (27G 21A 48P)
Playoff record: 6-1
Goals for: 22
Goals against: 9
Leading scorer: Grace Shirley (2G 9A 11P)
ROAD TO THE WEST REGIONAL
Semifinal: defeated Notre Dame 3-1 (6-1, 3-1, 1-2 OT 3-1)
SFMAAAHL championship: defeated Regina 3-0 (2-1, 4-1, 3-2)
Last national championship appearance: 2018 (silver medal)
Total national championship appearances: 3 (2015, 2016, 2018)