The excitement is gearing up for this year’s Saskatchewan Winter Games in Regina happening from February 19-25. That will lead up to Saskatchewan Athletes qualifying for the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island.

Flag bearer for the Saskatchewan contingent has already been named. Team Sask is pleased to announce that speed skating athlete, Luca Veeman of Saskatoon has been selected as Team Saskatchewan’s Opening Ceremony flag bearer.

Veeman, 17, is one of Saskatchewan’s most promising young speed skaters. Veeman started training and competing at the young age of six years old. Veeman trains with the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club under Tim Comfort and father, Chris Veeman (President of Speed Skating Saskatchewan). 

With an outstanding work ethic, Veeman has received numerous club awards for most outstanding skater and the most personal bests. His hard work earned him a spot on the Speed Skating Saskatchewan Development and Provincial Team for both short and long track speed skating. In October, Veeman was accepted to the National Training Centre at the Olympic Oval in Calgary. Recently, Veeman switched from short track to focus on long track speed skating.

 In 2022, Veeman qualified for the Canadian Junior National Team in long track speed skating but due to pandemic restrictions Canada did not send athletes to compete in Poland. Veeman is currently ranked in the top 3 in Canada for junior speed skaters and is a RBC athlete. This January, at the Canadian Junior Speed Skating Championships he won bronze in the 1500m and silver in the 5000m, qualifying him once again to race for the Canadian Junior National Team in Germany. In Prince Edward Island, Veeman will be representing Saskatchewan in the 500m, 1000m, 1500m, 5000m, mass start, and team pursuit events.

 In the off season, Veeman became a multi-sport athlete and started cycling. He is nationally ranked in both short and long track speed skating, and now cycling. He is no stranger to Team Sask as he was a cycling athlete at the 2022 Canada Summer Games this past August in Niagara, ON. 

 

First up its the Sask Winter Games with 119 athletes representing Team Prairie Central in a quest for a spot in the Canada Games. Many of those athletes in a host of disciplines are from Humboldt, Watrous and surrounding areas. Those athletes include.

 

Alpine Skiing 

Tamia Kiefer Lanigan

Xander Kiefer Lanigan

Badminton 

Jack Biemans Humboldt

Madison Junk Annaheim

Dixie Knittig Annaheim

Ryder Knittig Annaheim

Adrienne Kolkman Annaheim

Riley Sylvestre Muenster

Bowling Special Olympics

Maria Bergerman Humboldt

Angelica Finney Humboldt

Riley Richels Lanigan

Deana Sehn Cudworth

Sheldon Springer Humboldt

Bowling Special Olympics 2

Jocelyn Ehr Muenster

Jessica Ehr Muenster

Carla Hueser Humboldt

Trudy Linka Humboldt

Ryan Michel Humboldt

Curling F - 4's 

Jenna Pomedli Wadena

Gymnastics 

Kennedy Bley St.Gregor

Cross Country Skiing

Alexis Ell Humboldt 

Salix Simoneau Humboldt

Figure Skating 

Calla Almasi Humboldt

Annagail Ell Humboldt

Futsal F

Halle Bennett Humboldt 

Futsal M 

Bo Brandow Humboldt

Judo

Asher Dreger Watrous

Reilly Huisman Watrous

Wrestling 

Daniel Meijer Humboldt