This year’s Mandi Schwartz Challenge is set for September 23-25, 2011 at the Co-Operators Centre in Regina. Check back for more updates and tournament schedule!

Mandi Schawrtz Challenge Player Invites.

Click here for the schedule.

The Mandi Schwartz Challenge started in September of 2010. The weekend event is ran in partnership with the University of Regina Cougars’ Women’s Hockey team and typically sees 6 teams; however this tournament will continue to grow each year. The tournament runs Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday, with each team playing in 3 games (1 per day). In conjunction with the weekend, SHA also runs the annual U13 Female Festival. The festival is open to any female player, 13 and under to participate. Each player receives 2 skills sessions and 2 games, as well as gets to take in some of the action from the Mandi Schwartz Challenge. Team Saskatchewan, University of Regina and other players from the tournament will be on the ice with these young players throughout the weekend. Along with all of the players, SHA also runs a development weekend for their Female Officials. These Female Officials are learning new on-ice systems, as well as classroom sessions. The weekend itself, is an all around great development weekend for Females in the game of hockey!

The Mandi Schwartz Challenge is used as part of our selection process for the U18 Team Saskatchewan team. Approximately the top 30 players chosen from the top 80 Summer Camp attend the tournament for Team Saskatchewan. Each player on Team Saskatchewan is evaluated during practices, games, fitness and other intangibles. From this tournament, the top 20, Team Saskatchewan team is named and formed.

Mandi Schwartz:

Mandi Schwartz is an alumni of the Sask First program. Mandi grew up through the Female Festivals, eventually making her way to Team Saskatchewan. Mandi played on Team Saskatchewan at the 2003 Canada Winter Games and made the team, each of the next 3 times. Participating on Team Saskatchewan in 2003 (CWG), February 2005 (U18 Nationals) and November 2005 (U18 Nationals). Mandi attended and played her high school hockey in Notre Dame with the Hounds, she then went on to play for the Yale Bulldogs at Yale University. In December of 2008, Mandi was diagnosed with cancer (acute myeloid leukemia). Mandi received treatment and returned to Yale for the Spring semester; however in April of 2010 Mandi learned that the cancer had returned. Mandi then received a stem cell transplant in September 2010, but later in December learned that the cancer had returned. Mandi passed away on April 3, 2011 at the age of 23. Mandi’s undeniable caring heart and selflessness will never be forgotten. Not only was Mandi an incredible athlete and hockey player, she was an amazing person and will be remembered for that.

The 1^st Annual Mandi Schwartz Challenge was a huge success! There were 6 teams who participated in the tournament, with 3 Under 18 Provincial Teams (Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan), and 3 CIS Team competing (Universities of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Regina). With the name raising a lot of attention, we are also happy to report that Mandi received the transplant last week in Seattle and everything went well. Although she is battling with some of the side effects, she is in good spirits! Over 2500 dollars was raised from a combination of the donations accepted to get into the game and the silent auction – this money will all be sent to Mandi and her family in Seattle to help with some of the costs! Thank you for all the help!

Running in conjunction with the tournament was the Saskatchewan Hockey Association’s Female Festival. This saw over 170 young girls (under 13) come out to the rink for the weekend to display their skills. The teams were put through 2 skills sessions and 2 games. The girls were coached by SHA’s finest alongside players from the Universities of Regina and Saskatchewan, as well as Team Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Hockey Association along with the University of Regina would like to thank all of those who participated, who came out and watched and especially those who donated to help Mandi in her fight! Thank you!