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Prince Albert Predators forward Sam Cooper (#26) lets out a roar after scoring during the gold medal game at the MacDonald Cup against the North Shore Indians at the Abbotsford Recreation Centre in Abbotsford, B.C. on August 10, 2025. (Image Credit: Tolson Media/MacDonald Cup)
Junior Lacrosse

Season schedule released as Preds gear up to defend PGLL, Western title for another year

Apr 15, 2026 | 12:31 PM

The targets on the Prince Albert Predators’ backs couldn’t be bigger as a new season kicks off in less than a month. 

The club is preparing to defend their Prairie Gold Lacrosse League (PGLL) championship for the fourth consecutive season, as well as their back-to-back Western Canadian MacDonald Cup championships

The Preds will play 12 games in 2026 beginning with six straight games at home followed by six straight games on the road, a schedule that head coach Lucas Wells said is one that he doesn’t love, nor hates. 

“I’m more traditional because I like to start on the road and get as many games on the road as possible and finish up at home, but this year it’s the complete opposite. And that’s fine. We have an older group of guys, so we’re going to be able to weather the storms on the road and at home – whatever it is. These guys know what to expect in this league and it’ll be good either way.” 

The schedule will start with P.A.’s home opener on May 3 against Moose Jaw, followed by a double header against Swift Current on May 9, another lone game against Moose Jaw on May 23, and another double header on May 30, this time against Weyburn to wrap up the home half of the season. 

Every game in the month of June will be on the road, beginning with a trip to Swift Current on June 6. Then, the club will head into uncharted territory as they’ll trek to Winnipeg for the first time to face the Blizzard for a three-game series, with two on June 13 and one on June 14. The Predators will then have a quick two-day weekend trip to Southern Saskatchewan to close out the regular season with a game in Moose Jaw on June 20th, and the final game in Weyburn on June 21. 

With a trip booked to Winnipeg, Wells said the team is looking forward to playing against a new foe, and in a new environment. 

“It’ll be nice to just play a new team, and see what Manitoba lacrosse is all about. Hopefully they’re a strong team and we have a couple of good games and hopefully we come out on top in all three games, obviously. If I were to guess, they might be a possible playoff opponent for us, so it’ll be nice to play them closer to the end of the year, see what they’re all about, and then see what happens when we get to playoffs.” 

Tryouts for the Predators happened at the start of April, and Wells said he was pleasantly surprised by the intensity and effort from the guys after the offseason. 

“I thought this is the most in shape we’ve been as a unit in the four years I’ve been coaching. We got some good young kids coming up and the older guys are the older guys, they’re reliable. We have some special talent here in Prince Albert for sure.” 

All Predators home games will be played at the Kinsmen Arena. Meanwhile, the host site for the 2026 MacDonald Cup will be announced later in the season. 

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com