The Nebraska Warbirds (FIA's 14U top team - 2010s and 2011 birth years) competed against Team South Dakota and Team North Dakota Oct. 19-20 in Watertown, SD.

The group split the series with wins over South Dakota 11-2 and 5-1 over South Dakota, while dropping to North Dakota 8-3 and 3-1 in physical affairs.

Teams South and North Dakota are top tier two players to participate in pre/post season to their SD/ND league schedule. The teams wrap up around the first weekend in November and then play their respective local league schedule. The players then come back together mid March to prepare for the National Tournament, which the Nebraska Warbirds competed for and won last year at the 14U 1A level.

Improvement was noticeable as the pre-tournament stretch continued last weekend in Kansas City with a split as well against the Outlaws, who compete in the Missouri Hockey Youth Hockey A1 Division.

The Warbirds take on the Des Moines Bucs in one of their final tune-ups on Nov. 2, before a trip to Albert Lea, Minnesota, for some stiff competition against the likes of Eastview, Centennial and Winona, while the hosts have Kansas City, Dodge County and Des Moines in the other side of the bracket. 

The Warbirds are predominantly made up of 2010s so playing in Minnesota A tournaments gives them a chance to compete against some 2009s, due to Minnesota's unique age levels, to prepare them for High School or future AA/AAA aspirations.

The 14U Warbirds are coached by former professional hockey player Warren Peters, who after playing for the WHL's Saskatoon Blades, played 12 seasons of pro hockey, including stints with the NHL's Calgary Flames, Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild.