2016 WMBL Awards and All-Star teams announced

 

                                                         ( Kody Rock )

What an incredible year it has been for the WMBL. Friday marked the final games of the regular season. Sunday the 2016 WMBL Playoffs will kick off, and it is sure to be an exciting finish. Check below to see the first round matchups and gametimes:

West Division

(1) Okotoks Dawgs Vs. (4) Edmonton Prospects @ Seaman Stadium @ 7:05pm.  

(2) Medicine Hat Mavericks Vs. (3) Lethbridge Bulls @ Athletic Park @ 5:05pm. 

East Division

(1) Swift Current Indians Vs. (4) Weyburn Beavers @ Mitchell Field @ 7:05pm. 

(2) Yorkton Cardinals Vs. (3) Regina Red Sox @ Jubilee Park @ 7:05pm. 

All games are best of 5 series. The first two games will be played at the home park of the higher seed. The next two at the home park of the lower seed, and if necessary the 5th game will be at the home park of the higher seed. Good luck to all of the teams participating in the 2016 WMBL Playoffs starting today!

Below are the 2016 WMBL Award Winners. Awards were voted on by the head coaches of each team in the league. Congratulations to everyone named a 2016 Award Winner!

2016 WMBL Award Winners
Award	Team	Name
Most Valuable Player	Swift Current Indians	Alec Humphreys
Rookie of the Year	Swift Current Indians	Bodie Cooper
Canadian Rookie of the Year	Lethbridge Bulls	Mike Moffatt
Coach of the Year	Swift Current Indians	Joe Carnahan
Top Hitter of the Year	Edmonton Prospects	Cory Scammell
Top Pitcher of the Year	Yorkton Cardinals	Kody Rock
President's Trophy (Best Record)	Okotoks Dawgs	(33-14, .702)
2016 WMBL All-Stars
1st Team All-Stars	Team	Name
Pitcher	Yorkton Cardinals	Kody Rock
Pitcher	Swift Current Indians	Bobby St. Pierre
Pitcher	Okotoks Dawgs	CJ Lewington
Relief Pitcher	Okotoks Dawgs	Anthony Balderas
Relief Pitcher	Swift Current Indians	Aidan Goodall
Closing Pitcher	Swift Current Indians	Ryan Pope
Catcher	Swift Current Indians	Bodie Cooper
1st Base	Okotoks Dawgs	Kellen Murruffo
2nd Base	Medicine Hat Mavericks	Nolan Rattai
3rd Base	Okotoks Dawgs	Michael Gretler
Shortstop	Swift Current Indians	Alec Humphreys
Outfield	Edmonton Prospects	Cory Scammell
Outfield	Swift Current Indians	Liam Goodall
Outfield	Okotoks Dawgs	Brendan Rose
Designated Hitter	Medicine Hat Mavericks	Alex Alders
Utility	Swift Current Indians	Thomas DeBonville
2nd Team All-Stars	Team	Name
Pitcher	Medicine Hat Mavericks	Jared Libke
Pitcher	Swift Current Indians	Luke Wiechec
Pitcher	Edmonton Prospects	Noah Gapp
Relief Pitcher	Lethbridge Bulls	Mackenzie Major
Relief Pitcher	Okotoks Dawgs	Taylor Davis
Closing Pitcher	Regina Red Sox	Sam Brunner
Catcher	Yorkton Cardinals	Hunter Hisky
1st Base	Regina Red Sox	Jake Howard
2nd Base	Swift Current Indians	Shane Dokey
3rd Base	Lethbridge Bulls	Mitch McGeein
Shortstop	Medicine Hat Mavericks	William Salas
Outfield	Lethbridge Bulls	Mike Moffatt
Outfield	Medicine Hat Mavericks	Alex Alders
Outfield	Moose Jaw Miller Express	Cutter McDowell
Designated Hitter	Yorkton Cardinals	Billy Clapperton
Utility	Brooks Bombers	Dynas Doud

Yorkton Cardinals set to face the Regina Red Sox in WMBL's Quarter-Finals starting on Sunday

The Yorkton Cardinals return to the postseason and they will have home field advantage when they battle the Regina Red Sox the WMBL's Quarter-Finals.

GM 1 in Yorkton on Sun. July 31st
GM 2 in Yorkton on Mon. Aug 1st
GM 3 in Regina on Tues. Aug 2nd
GM 4 in Regina on Wed. Aug 3rd **
GM 5 in Yorkton on Thurs. Aug 4th**

**If Necessary

All games at 7:05


I caught up with Yorkton Cardinals Head Coach Bryn Biancalana to talk about the season and to preview the opening round match-up with the Regina Red Sox.

Balcarres Broncs to celebrate kick-off to 50th season coming up this weekend!

I caught up with Organizer Craig "Gubba" Geisler about the weekend festivities.

Millionaires seeking to fill Asst. Coach role

The Melville Millionaires are seeking to fill the role of Assistant Coach.

This is a full time position running the length of the hockey season.

The roles and responsibilities will include but are not limited to the following

• Assist with game and practice plans and execution

• Analytics

• Video

• Off ice strength and conditioning

• Monitoring high school students

• Assisting with social media accounts

Those who are interested can submit their resumes to Devin Windle via email at melvillemills@sasktel.net.

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.


--------------

Mils Head Coach/GM Devin Windle talks about Asst. Coach position, some

offseason moves and more  below: 

Local Weekend Baseball Recap

The Yorkton Cardinals are creeping closer and closer to the top seed in the East Division.

Hunter Hisky had a 3 for 4 night to lead the Cards to a 4-2 win over the Swift Current Indians at Jubilee Park.

Yorkton is now just 3 games back from the Speedy Creek bunch for first in the East division.

The Cardinals are back in action tomorrow night (Tues) in the Queen City visiting the Regina Red Sox.

Elsewhere at Pirie Field in Melville,

The Millionaires at one point in the 3rd were down 8-0 but they clawed their way back but in the end their comeback was a little bit short.

The Blue and White fell 12-11 to the visiting Moose Jaw Miller Express.

Mils will host the Swift Current Indians tonight (Mon) at Pirie Field with a 7:05 first pitch. This is a make-up game from a rain out game from this past Friday in Swift Current.


Other results:

Fort McMurray Giants 2 @ Edmonton Prospects 12
Okotoks Dawgs 7 @ Medicine Hat Mavericks 4
Weyburn Beavers 1 @ Regina Red Sox 10


=============================
In Baseball Sask Provincial Championship recap:

The Yorkton Orioles captured the A-Side of the 2016 Twilite Masters Provincial Men's baseball championships in Macklin with a 8-4  victory over the Riverhurst Thumpers.

Meanwhile in the B-Side Final, the Parkland Padres doubled up the Weyburn Beavers.

2016 SJHL Showcase Schedule released

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is announcing the league’s Annual Showcase will be held Sept. 25-28, 2016 in Warman, SK. in the Legends Arena. (Warman is located 15 minutes north of Saskatoon, SK.)

The SJHL’s Showcase will be similar to the other Junior A League’s showcases in which all teams will be competing in 2 games with complete rosters and with points going towards regular season standings.

Sunday September 25
11:00am - Midget AAA Game 1
1:30pm - Humboldt Broncos vs Melville Millionaires
4:00pm Midget AAA Game 2
6:30pm - Weyburn Red Wings vs Kindersley Klippers

Monday September 26
10:00am - Melville Millionaires vs Battlefords North Stars
12:30pm - Estevan Bruins vs Humboldt Broncos
3:00pm - Nipawin Hawks vs Yorkton Terriers
5:30pm - Flin Flon Bombers vs Weyburn Red Wings

Tuesday September 27
10:00am - Melfort Mustangs vs Estevan Bruins
12:30pm - Yorkton Terriers vs Flin Flon Bombers
3:00pm - La Ronge Ice Wolves vs Notre Dame Hounds
5:30pm - Battlefords North Stars vs Nipawin Hawks

Wednesday September 28
11:00am - Notre Dame Hounds vs Melfort Mustangs
1:30pm - Kindersley Klippers vs La Ronge Ice Wolves

Parkland sweeps Saskatchewan Junior Golf Championships in Warman

                                             

                                          (Ella Kozak)        (Chloe Sies & Kade Johnson)                                           **From @absgolf on Twitter

The 2016 Saskatchewan Junior Men's and Women's Golf championships wrapped up on Wednesday at the Legends Golf Course in Warman.

Melville's Chloe Sies captured the Women's event by beating Prince Albert's Kayla Sawchuk in a 2-hole playoff.

Sies followed up her final round of 84 by sinking her 4 foot par putt on the 2nd playoff hole to capture her first ever title.

"My drive on the 2nd playoff hole actually went into the fescue to the left of the green and I made a nice chip and then Kayla lipped out her par chance and I tapped in my putt and it felt great" Sies said after the round.

Sies now advances to the 2016 Canadian Junior Girls Golf Championships Aug. 2nd- 5th in Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia.

But before that she'll represent Parkland Valley in golf at the 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games which kicks off this weekend in Estevan.

I caught up with Chloe Sies after the round to talk about the title.




Also on the women's side, Yorkton's Ella Kozak won the U13 Junior Girls title.

Meanwhile on the Men's side, Yorkton's Kade Johnson shot a final round of 4 over par, 76 to hold on and win the 90th Saskatchewan Junior Men's U19 Golf Championships.

"It feels pretty good, a lot of hardwork was put in, and I'm glad that all 3 days I was able to play well", Johnson said after the round.

Johnson's 3 round total of 220 was 2 shots better than Saskatoon's Roman Timmerman and Kiping product Carson Harcourt.

Johnson will now advance to the 2016 Canadian Junior Boys Golf Championships, Aug. 1st - 4th in St. Johns, Newfoundland.

Cards' sweep doubleheader over Mils in Tuesday's WMBL Recap

The Yorkton Cardinals are now winners of 8 games in a row after sweeping a doubleheader last night (Tues) at Pirie Field in Melville.

The Cards amd Mils completed a suspended game in Game 1 with the Cards winning 19-1.

Then in the 7 inning Game 2, Yorkton scored 5 runs in the Top of 7th to help them to a 12-8 win over the Millionaires.

The wins improved the Cards record to 24-15 on the season, now 1 game clear of Regina for 2nd place in the East Division. Meanwhile the losses dropped the Mils' league worst record to 7-31 on the season.

These two teams will go right back at it tonight (Wed) at 7:05 from Jubilee Park in Yorkton.

Regina Red Sox 8 @ Moose Jaw Miller Express 11
Okotoks Dawgs 10 @ Edmonton Prospects 2

Medicine Hat Mavericks 4 @ Brooks Bombers 5

Swift Current Indians 0 @ Weyburn Beavers 3

Tuesday Local Sports News & Notes

Day 1 Results

105TH Saskatchewan Men's Amateur Golf Championships at the Legends Golf Course in Warman

Round 1
Mitchell Matichuk (Melville)
Score: (Even Par)  72
Placing: 10TH ( 4 shots back )

Chad Sies (Melville)
Score: (+13)  85
Placing: T61



============================================

90th Saskatchewan Junior Men's Golf Championships at the Legends in Warman

Round 1
Kade Johnson (Yorkton)
Score: (+1) 73
Placing: T2

Stephen Oleskiw (Yorkton)
Score: (+19) 91
Placing: T31

Carson Harcourt (Kipling)
Score: (+1) 73
Placing: T2

Mitchell Morrison (Carlyle)
Score: (+4) 76
Placing: T7

-------------------------------------------------------------

Saskatchewan Junior Women's Golf Championships at the Legends in Warman

Round 1

Chloe Sies (Melville)

Score: (+11)  83
Placing: T1

Ella Kozak (Yorkton)
Score: (+41) 113
Placing: 8th

Hallie Burke (Rocanville)
Score: (+26) 98
Placing:


==================================================================

In SJHL News, 

 

The Yorkton Terriers have gotten a little younger on the blueline as they dealt 20 year old defenseman Paul Savage to the BCHL's Alberni Valley Bulldogs in exchange for a player development fee.

The Surrey, BC product just wrapped up his 2nd season with the Terriers where he compiled 6 goals, 11 assists for 17 points in 81 career games with the Terriers.

===============================

In the Western Major Baseball League,

The Yorkton Cardinals continue to roll as they are now winners of 6 games in a row as they won a couple more on Monday, 15-10 over Medcine Hat and 4-3 over the Swift Current Indians.

The Cards are now just a half game back of the Regina Red Sox for 2nd place in the East Division with a record of 22-15.

The Cards will play a doubleheader tonight (Tues) at Pirie Field against the Melville Millionaires starting around 5:30PM.

The Mils lost yet again last night as the Red Sox came back for a 4-2 victory in 10 innings at Currie Field.

=================================

Former Yorkton Terrier & Melville Millionaire coach Honored by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
                                                 

                                                      

(Bombers Press Release)

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce Gerry James as the third inductee to the Ring of Honour presented by the Insurance Brokers of Manitoba (IBAM) at Investors Group Field.

James joined the Bombers in 1952 at the young age of 17 and was an instrumental part of the club’s glory years. He appeared in six Grey Cups, winning four in 1958, 1959, 1961 and 1962.

“Gerry James was a phenomenal athlete that excelled not only in the Canadian Football League as both a running back and a kicker, but also played five seasons in the National Hockey League while also in the CFL,” said President & CEO, Wade Miller. “That kind of athleticism has remained unsurpassed, and we are thrilled to be able to add Kid Dynamite, as he was known, into the Ring of Honour.”

James was the Canadian Football League’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 1954 and 1957, a West Division All-Star in 1955 and 1957 and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1981, the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame in 1982 and the Winnipeg Football Club Hall of Fame in 1984.

James retired in 1964 as the second leading rusher among Canadian tailbacks with 5,554 yards and 57 touchdowns. His 63 total touchdowns still ranks fourth on the Bombers’ all-time list.

“It’s a great honour in the fact that I’ve been away from the game for so long,” said James. “To be thought of for this new Ring of Honour so early in its inception is just a wonderful feeling, knowing that people feel I made some sort of a small impact on the football club.”

This season’s inductees will be recognized with an unveiling ceremony at each regular season home game. Each following year, one more alumni will be added to the Blue Bombers Ring of Honour.

Predinchuk; Hansen commit to the University of Regina Cougars

  

A couple of former Melville Millionaires have a chance to advance their hockey careers at the collegiate level.

Regina product Tyson Predinchuk & Craven's Carter Hansen will suit up with the CIS's University of Regina Cougars starting in the fall of 2016/17.

Predinchuk had 45 goals, 44 assists for 89 points in 112 career games as a Millionaire. Predinchuk wrapped up his Jr. career with the Estevan Bruins who hosted the 2016 Western Canada Cup.

Hansen had 2 goals, 11 assists for 13 points in 28 games with Moneymen before he was moved to Melfort Mustangs where helped them win their 2nd straight Canalta Cup title. Hanson spent his previous 4 years in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors and Regina Pats.

Baseball Sask. Provincial Championships handed out over the weekend

Baseball Saskatchewan handed out a plenty of Provincial baseball championships over the weekend including some with local notes. 

At Jaycee Beach in Yorkton, the White Butte Broncos defeated the Melville Millionaires 9-1 in the final to capturew the 2016 Mosquito AA Tier 1 Provincial title. 

Meanwhile in Langenburg, the Carrot River Loggers proved dominated as they hammered the Glaslyn Mudhens 16-1 in Gold Medal game to win the Bantam AA Tier 4 Provincial championship. 

Elsewhere on Sunday at the Pee Wee AA Tier 4 Provincial championship hosted in Watrous, the Wynyard Blues beat the host Laker 14-6 win the provincial title. 

Stamps' DeGraves commits to the Augustana Vikings (ACAC)

 

The Swan Valley Stampeders are pleased to announce 20 year old goaltender Zach Degraves has accepted a scholarship to the University of Alberta - Augustana Campus for the 2016-17 season!

Gravy will be suiting up for the Augustana Vikings Men's Hockey Team, who compete in the ACAC with teams such as SAIT, Grant Macewan, NAIT and many other notable Alberta Colleges.

"After a stellar season with the us [Stampeders], proving he is most definitely capable to carrying the load of a starting goalie and excelling at it, we couldn't be happier to see Zach moving on and continuing his hockey career." - Assistant Coach Landon Kroeker.
The Edmonton product had a 16-25-0 record this past season with the Stamps with a 2.87GAA and a 0.916 SV%

Degraves will be studying kinesiology/physiotherapy.

We wish Zach all the best moving forward on and off the ice and thank him for his time and efforts here in the Valley!!

(Stamps Press Release)

Prairie Built High Performance Female Hockey Camp set for Aug 8th-12th in Ochapowace

                     

Cards; Millionaires both winners in Thursday WMBL action

Luke Lucas went the distance allowing 1 run on 6 hits while striking out 11 batters as the Yorkton Cardinals hammered the Fort McMurray Giants 8-1 last night (Thurs) in Fort Mac.

Billy Clapperton and Coden Rasholt led the way offensively with 3 hits each.

The Cardinals continue their swing through Alberta tonight (Fri) in the Alberta capital when they battle the Edmonton Prospects.

Elsewhere last night (Thurs),

The Melville Millionaires used a 7 run 2nd innings to power them to a 9-4 win over the Moose Jaw Miller Express at Pirie Field.

Kris Brown earned his 3rd win of the season for the Mils going 7 strong, allowing 1 run on 8 hits while striking out 8 Express batters.

The Mils will be at Ross Wells Park tonight (Fri) for the back end of the home and home series against the Miller Express at 7:05. 

Other Results:

Edmonton Prospects 4 @ Brooks Bombers 6 (14 innings)
Okotoks Dawgs 8 @ Weyburn Beavers 5
Medicine Hat Mavericks 5 @ Lethbridge Bulls 6 (14 innings)

Parkland Valley continues to gear up for 2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games

1.    

Sports Medicine and Science Council of Saskatchewan is putting on a Sports Camp at the Gallagher Centre for our Summer Games athletes, coaches and managers at 1:00pm on Wednesday July 13th.

There should be approximately 60-80 participants.

It is open to the parents of the athletes as well

There three consultants will facilitate the sessions and will be split up into three different rooms with three groups of athletes and they will rotate approximately every 75 mins.

Two conference rooms upstairs and one in the Flexi-hall. The 3 sessions include:

1. Sport Nutrition

2. Mental Training and Preparation

3. Strength and Conditioning

2.  

   The Pep Rally is held at St. Mary’s Cultural Centre. It starts at 7:00pm on Wed. July 13th.

It will take about 2 hours and is going have approximately 250-275 in attendance.

This is where athletes, coaches, and parents will be able to meet each other before the Saskatchewan Summer Games, get their uniforms, and get excited for the Games.

The athletes range from 11 years old-17 years old and Special O.

There will be an MC, some presentations by Sask Energy (main Sponsor) MLA Greg Ottenbreit to say a few words.

This event creates momentum and excitement for our athletes and brings our community together through sport.


The 2016 games take place July 24th to July 30th, 2016 in Estevan, Saskatchewan

====

I caught up with Parkland Valley Sports Coordinator Tyler Slowski.

Dauphin Kings hire former SV Stampeder Korlak as Asst. Coach

The Dauphin Kings announced Tuesday that they have added Stonewall, Manitoba product Dustin Korlak to their coaching staff.


Korlak spent a handful of years (2006-2010) playing in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League with teams including Swan Valley, Selkirk and the Southeast Blades before heading across the pond to play hockey in Europe for two years. Dustin spent time in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.

He played in the German Oberliga All Star game in 2011 and took part in the Belgium Cup Championship in 2012. In 70 games in Europe Korlak had 26 goals and 33 assists for 59 points as a defencemen.

(Dauphin Kings Press Release)

Swan River's Petersen dealt to Everett (WHL)

The Everett Silvertips  have acquired goaltender Lasse Petersen from the Spokane Chiefs in exchange for a sixth round selection in the 2017 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft, Silvertips general manager Garry Davidson announced today.

“Lasse is a goaltender whose size carries an immediate advantage,” said Davidson. “As an individual who has potential to reinforce our goaltending depth, he’s a proven performer at the WHL level and delivered in big games down the stretch in last season.”

Petersen, 19, split last season between the Chiefs and Calgary Hitmen in his first WHL season with a 12-7-1 record, three shutouts, and a 2.99 goals-against-average in 25 appearances. After being acquired by Spokane, he earned a shutout in his team debut on Nov. 11 against the Silvertips and posted a 7-2-1 record with two shutouts to begin his stint with the Chiefs.

The 6-foot-2, 176 pound netminder appeared in all six Spokane playoff games last season and earned a career-high 44 saves and first star honors in a Game 5 victory against the Victoria Royals, who earned the Scotty Munro Memorial Trophy with the league’s top regular season record.

(Everett Press Release)

Rock dazzles to Cardinals to 7-0 rout of the Brooks Bombers in WMBL action

                                                                  (from Twitter: @k_rock3)

It was another impressive pitching performance from Canora's Kody Rock.

The Cards' pitcher went the distance last night (Thurs) for the complete game 4-hit shutout to lead the Yorkton Cardinals to a 7-0 win over the visiting Brooks Bombers at Jubilee Park. 

Rock also struck out 12 batters to help Yorkton to their 14th victory of the season.

The 22 year old local product now has a 4-2 record on the season while also sporting a dazzling 1.41 ERA over his 7 starts in the WMBL this season.

The Cards/Bombers will do battle tonight (Fri) once again at 8:05PM from Jubilee Park


Interview with Canora product Kody Rock

Sask. Sports Hall of Fame's Travelling Exhibit hitting our region.

The Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame's Traveling Exhibit will be in Yorkton today (Thurs) and tomorrow (Fri) at City Center Park.

It will be open from 4PM - 7PM today and 12-4PM & 6PM to 8PM tomorrow.

The exhibit will also be in Melville on Saturday.

Couple local products sign NHL contracts over the weekend

  

It was a big weekend for a couple local hockey players who signed contracts with NHL teams.

The Ottawa Senators signed forward and Springside product Chad Nehring (pictured above right) to a one-year, two-way contract. The contract will carry an annual value of $600,000 in the National Hockey League and $125,000 in the American Hockey League.

Nehring spent his second stright season with the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, where he set career highs in goals (26), assists (26) and points (48).

Defenceman Ethan Bear (pictured above left) and the Edmonton Oilers agreed to a three-year entry level contract on Saturday.
The 19-year-old from Ochapowace appeared in 69 games with the Western Hockey League’s Seattle Thunderbirds last season, scoring 19 goals and adding 46 assists with 33 penalty minutes and a plus-14 rating.

Bear was selected by the Oilers in the fifth round, 124th overall in the 2015 NHL Draft.


I chatted with Nehring about the contract below: