One of South Dakota’s most anticipated youth sports weekends returns this fall as the South Dakota Girls Hockey Weekend takes over the ice in Watertown. The event, now a staple in the state’s hockey calendar, will be held on October 18–19 and is free of charge to all registered participants, thanks to generous sponsorships and community fundraising efforts.

The Watertown Lakers, in partnership with the NHL, NHLPA, and USA Hockey, will launch a revamped Learn to Play 10U Developmental Program this fall aimed at making hockey more accessible for local families. The program welcomes children ages 5–10 (birth years 2015–2020) and is designed for beginners as well as those who already feel comfortable on the ice. Practices emphasize skating fundamentals, basic hockey skills, teamwork, confidence

The Watertown Shamrocks will open their 2025–26 season this weekend with a new layer of competition: the Buffalo Wild Wings Dakota Buffalo Cup. The Cup is a three-year partnership between the Shamrocks, Aberdeen Wings, Bismarck Bobcats, Minot Minotauros, and Buffalo Wild Wings, designed to elevate regional rivalries across the Dakotas.