The local Pickleball Club held their weekly recreational games last Thursday (April 23), at the Swan River Community Centre. Teams took to the courts for some fun competition and exercise. The pickleball courts have now moved from the SVRSS Gymnasium to the Swan River Curling Rink for the summer.  Here, Kris Woodward returns a perfectly placed ball during doubles action. 

The Swan River Kinsmen held their annual Kinsmen Cup tournament (Thursday, April 16 to 18), at the Swan River Centennial Arena. A total of eight teams - Kenville Flyers, Silver 7, Credit Union, Valley Ice, Mighty Drunks, Outlaws, Minitonas Hornets and the Nut Busters - all played in the tournament that provided a fast paced and competitive hockey format. Here, Dayson Martin gets stopped on a breakaway by the Outlaws goaltender during Saturday afternoons action.

The Swan Valley Elite All Girls Softball Clinic took place this past weekend (April 11 and 12), indoors at the Ecole Swan River South School Gymnasium. The event consisted of four age groups (U9, U11, U13 and U15), being taught new skills on pitching, catching, defence and hitting. The camp was open to girls looking to fine tune their skills, and learn new ones, before the spring softball season gets underway.  (TOP) Coach Brennah Mclaughin leads the U9 group in an early morning stretch. 

Youth from the Swan River Valley attended a birthday celebration skate at the Swan River Centennial Arena last Wednesday (April 1). Kids enjoyed a fun game of pickup hockey. Pictured (left to right) are: Lynley Stechyshyn (white jersey), Brooks White, (blue jersey), Max Hogue, (Oilers jersey), Cohen Dicks, (black sweater), and Braylin Hagglund, (white jersey in front).

The U13 Swan Valley Broncos hosted the Yorkton Premier Cabinet Terriers at the Swan River Centennial Arena, in Game one of their best-of-three series (Tuesday, March 17). The Broncos scored early, and often, en route to a dominating 11-4 win. The Broncos travelled to Yorkton, SK two days later (March 19), for Game two, but couldn’t find any offence, falling 13-2. With the series tied 1-1, it was a winner take all Game three on Friday, March 20, in Swan River. It was the Terriers who captured the B Side Consolation Championship, with a 7-6 win over the Broncos. 

The U13 Swan Valley Mustangs hosted the Indian Head Chiefs in Game one (Monday, March 16), at the Centennial Arena in thier best-of-three A side Championship series. The Mustangs played hard but came up short, losing 7-6 on home ice. Leading the offence was Javan Bass, scoring three goals, Bentley Genaille collectd a goal and an assit while Grady Dixon added three assists in the loss. Game two, played in Indian Head last Thursday (March 19), needed double overtime to determine a winner. In another close game, it was the Indian Head Chiefs who skated to victory, winning 6-5 in extra time. Javan Bass and Grady Dixon lead the offence with two goals and one assist each. 

 The Minitonas Skating Club held their year end skating carnival last Friday night (March 6), at the Minitonas and District Arena. The large crowd was treated to 24 choreographed performances, instructed by Coach Alison Burgess. The evening was capped by Peggy Kalynuk winning the $10,000 cash draw. 

The Swan River Men’s Bonspiel took place this past weekend (March 6 - 8), at the Swan River Community Centre with 20 teams taking part in the three event weekend. All teams competed in the eight draws during the three day bonspiel. (TOP) Les Konjolka and Jamie Eggie await word to sweep from their lead.

The U13 Swan Valley Mustangs hosted Game 1 of their best-of-three series against the visiting Indian Head Chiefs, this past Saturday (Feb. 28) at the Swan River Centennial Arena. The Mustangs kicked off the series with a battle tested, 6-4 victory, earning the 1-0 series lead. Pictured above is Grady Dixon slicing through the Chiefs defenders, and gaining a high quality scoring chance in the process. Dixon would lead his team to the win by scoring three times, while adding an assist. Bentley Genaille added a pair of goals, while Jaxon Genaille added a single to go along with a pair of assists. Additional assists were picked up by Javan Bass (three), Sadie Cocks (two) and one each to Harper Cocks, Memphis Langevin and Nixon Hofford.  In Game 2, played Sunday afternoon in Indian Head, SK, the young Mustangs came home with a 5-5 tie, but still advance to the next round based on goals for and against. This time it was Jaxon Genaille leading the way with a pair of goals, with singles added by Dixon, Bass and Jaxson Branconnier. Bass added a pair of assists in the win, with other helpers added by Branconnier, Langevin and Dixon. The Mustangs will now advance to play Melville in round two, starting some time later this week.