Monday 30 April 2018

Esso Cup & Telus Cup wrap up over weekend

Sperling & Saskatoon Stars capture Esso Cup Silver


Tyra Meropoulis scored in the first period, Madison Willan netted the game-winning goal in the second and the St. Albert Slash became the first team to ever go back-to-back at the Esso Cup with a 2-1 win over the Saskatoon Stars in the gold medal game Saturday night.


The Slash have gone 13-1 in two years at Canada’s National Female Midget Championship, the only blemish a 4-1 loss to Saskatoon on Tuesday that was avenged with a national title on the line.

The Stars were a win away from equaling that feat, but lost for just the fifth time all year in regular season and playoff action; Saskatoon had won 24 games in a row before Sunday – it went 10-0 to finish the regular season and 6-0 in the SFMAAAHL playoffs, swept Eastman in the two-game West Regional and was 6-0 at the Cup entering the gold medal game.

Theodore product Chace Sperling was a member of the Saskatoon Stars.

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Notre Dame Hounds capture 2018 Telus Cup in Sudbury





Luke Mylymok scored a hat trick to lift the Notre Dame Hounds to a 4-1 victory over the Cantonniers de Magog in the Telus Cup championship game on Sunday.

Zach Plucinski and Ethan Ernst supplied the rest of the offence to help Notre Dame capture the men's Canadian midget hockey championship.

Hounds goaltender Aaron Randazzo made 29 saves. Magog's Remi Poirier stopped 18 shots.
Moosomin's Kyle Bochek was an Affiliated Player with the Hounds.

Saturday 28 April 2018

B. Arnold leads Hawks to Game 1 win in ANAVET Cup


Brendan Arnold (pictured above) completed his Hat-Trick with just over 1 minute to go in regulation that stood up to be the GWG as the Nipawin Hawks defeated the Steinbach Pistons 4-3 in Game 1 of the ANAVET Cup on Friday night.

Carter Doerksen also scored for the Hawks who got 29 saves from goaltender Declan Hobbs.

Drew Worrad and Bradley Schoonbaert led the way offensively for the Pistons with 1G 2A each.

The Hawks now have the early 1-0 series lead and Game 2 of the Best of 7 series will be played tonight (Sat) once again in Steinbach.

Friday 27 April 2018

Challenger Baseball is coming to Yorkton

                                    Image result for challenger baseball

The Yorkton and area will be introduced to "Challenger Baseball" early next month.

Challenger baseball is a non-competitive baseball program, is a program open to people living with mental and physical disabilities that want to enjoy the game.

The program is open the ages of 5 years old and older.

There will be a grand opening and registration for Challenger baseball in Yorkton on Sun. May 6th from 2PM to 4PM at Victory Church (38 Bradbrooke Drive) in Yorkton. Then games will run every Sunday for two months starting on Sun. May 13th with all games being played at Jaycee Beach.

The program is free of charge and if you want to join or volunteer for the program you can email yorktonchallengerbaseball@gmail.com or visit Yorkton Challenger baseball on Facebook.


I caught up with Yorkton Challenger Baseball Coordinator John Emery to chat about the program:

Thursday 26 April 2018

Swan Valley Stampeders holding Spring Prospects Camp this weekend


The Swan Valley Stampeders will be holding their Spring Prospects Camp this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Brandon, Manitoba.

For more information on the camp go to www.stampedershockey.com or contact Darren at 1-204-281-1996.


I caught up with Stampeders Asst. Coach & Head Scout Darren Webster to preview the weekend.

Dauphin Kings (MJHL) seek Asst. Coach

The Dauphin Kings, proud members of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, are searching for an Assistant Coach for the upcoming 2018-19 season.

The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting the Head Coach with daily practices, off ice conditioning, game strategy/implementation, video analysis and other duties as assigned.


Qualifications
  • Must reside in Dauphin during hockey season
  • Exceptional work ethic
  • Excellent written, verbal, organizational and computer skills
  • Detail oriented with strong follow through
  • Approachable personality
  • Coaching experience preferred but not essential
  • Must be able to travel and maintain flexible hours
Salary and term will be based on experience. This position will remain open until filled.

Please submit cover letter and resume to:

Doug Hedley
Head Coach & General Manager
Dauphin Kings Junior A Hockey Club
O: 204.622.5460
E: dhedley@dauphinkings.com

Only those selected for interviews will be contacted

Wednesday 25 April 2018

Heck & Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) part ways



The Battlefords North Stars and Head Coach/General Manager Brandon Heck, have mutually agreed to part ways immediately.

The Battlefords North Stars Hockey Club would like to thank Brandon for all his hard work and dedication to our organization this past season. Brandon felt that he would like to pursue coaching opportunities closer to home and his family.

We would like to wish Brandon and his family all the best in the future.

(North Stars Release)

Nipawin Hawks capture 2018 Canalta Cup

                               Media preview
                                                        (From SJHL_Hawks on Twitter)

The Nipawin Hawks are SJHL Canalta Cup Champions for the first time since 1990.

The Hawks, which includes former Wayway Wolverine Wayde Johannessen and Yorkton product Brett Harasymuk won Game Seven with a 2-1 victory over the visiting Estevan Bruins.

Josh McDougall scored the game winning goal, 8:04 into the 3rd period, while captains Carter Doerksen (NIP) and Jake Fletcher (EST) exchanged goals earlier in the game.


The ANAVET Cup returns for the first time since 2012 and it will feature the Hawks taking on the Steinbach Pistons, and it starts in Steinbach with Games 1 & 2 this Friday and Saturday. 


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Hear from SJHL champion and Yorkton product Brett Harasymuk below:



Tuesday 24 April 2018

Yorkton Cardinals looking for billets for 2018 WMBL season


The WMBL's Yorkton Cardinals are looking for billet families for the 2018 baseball season.

If you're interested in billeting a Cardinal player or want more information , please contact Jackie at 1-306-621-4589.

Monday 23 April 2018

Dauphin Kings (MJHL) announce new Head Coach/GM



The MJHL's Dauphin Kings have named Fort Qu'Appelle product Doug Hedley as their new Head Coach and General Manager.

Hedley spent the last couple seasons as the Head Coach/GM of the OCN Blizzard.

This is Hedley's 2nd stint back as Kings' bench boss after coaching 358 games previously.

He also spent a number of years coaching the Manitoba Midget AAA hockey league's Parkland Rangers who are based in Dauphin, MB.

Estevan to play host to 2018 Home Hardware Canada Cup

Canadian teams will take their first steps toward the 2022 Winter Olympics this December in Estevan, Sask.
The 2018 Home Hardware Canada Cup — one of curling’s most competitive and hard-fought events — will take place Dec. 5-9 Affinity Place in Estevan, it was announced today by Curling Canada.
It will be the 14th renewal of the Home Hardware Canada Cup, featuring this country’s best men’s and women’s curling teams playing for a share of a $140,000 cash purse ($70,000 to each gender). In addition to the cash prizes, the winning men’s and women’s teams will be guaranteed of a berth in the 2021 Road to the Roar Pre-Trials, which will be the final qualifying event for the 2021 Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings Canadian Curling Trials — the event that will decide Canada’s four-player teams for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Additionally, the 2018 Home Hardware Canada Cup champions will qualify for a World Curling Federation World Cup event during the 2019-20 season. 
“We’ve seen time and time again that Saskatchewan plays host to first-class curling championships, on and off the ice, and we’re excited to see Estevan stepping up to host the 2018 Home Hardware Canada Cup,” said Resby Coutts, Chair of Curling Canada’s Board of Governors. “Adding to the excitement will be the chance for fans to see many of Canada’s new-look men’s and women’s teams under one roof as they start their pursuit for Olympic glory.”
Seven men’s and seven women’s teams will be invited to play at the 2018 Home Hardware Canada Cup. With new teams being formed for the 2018-19 season, the Order of Merit standings — which allows new teams to combine the points individual players carried over from former teams — as of May 1 will be used to determine six invitees of each gender. The seventh team will be the top non-qualified team on the Canadian Team Ranking System as of mid-November.
It will be the first time a Curling Canada Season of Champions event has been staged in Estevan, but the city proved itself capable earlier this year by hosting a successful SaskTel Tankard provincial men’s championship at Affinity Place. It will be the third time the Home Hardware Canada Cup has been played in Saskatchewan; it was played in Moose Jaw in 2012 and in Yorkton in 2009.
“Today marks another great occasion that will showcase the City of Estevan, its people and the surrounding communities,” said Roy Ludwig, Mayor of Estevan. “We are proud to be chosen to host one of Curling Canada’s premier competitions. This event will bring many people to our city and allow us the opportunity to share our community with people across Canada. Estevan has hosted provincial curling events in the past and with that success it’s our time to try our hand at a national event. We know that the unique experiences; the attractions and many historical sites will enhance the experience of the people that come to our community and surrounding area.”
“Being a huge curling fan, I am so excited to see that Estevan will be hosting the 2018 Home Hardware Canada Cup,” added Lori Carr, MLA for Estevan. “We welcome all the teams, families and fans that will be attending this event.  I have not doubt our great base of volunteers will help ensure this event goes smoothly.”
Opened in 2011, Affinity Place is the home of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Estevan Bruins, and seats approximately 2,200 for hockey.
“There is a significant appetite in Estevan for championship curling, and I know that today’s announcement will be well-received in our community,” said Host Committee Vice-Chair Helen Fornwald. “We’ll be working extremely hard over the coming weeks and months to make sure the 2018 Home Hardware Canada Cup goes off without a hitch, and that competitors, fans and officials all leave with smiles on their faces.”
“It was shown during the recent Tim Hortons Brier that the Saskatchewan curling community truly gets behind big events, and we’re confident Estevan will be ready to host Canada’s best teams in December,” said Ashley Howard, Executive-Director of CURLSASK. “The SaskTel Tankard showed everyone that there is a vibrant group of curling fans and volunteers in Estevan, and I know they’ll be hard at work for the next eight months to make sure the 2018 Home Hardware Canada Cup is a success story.”
It will be the 14th Home Hardware Canada Cup. The event was staged in Kamloops, B.C., for the first six years. It has since been played in Yorkton, Medicine Hat, Alta.,  Cranbrook, B.C., Moose Jaw, Camrose, Alta., Grande Prairie, Alta., and, most recently, in Brandon, Man., in 2016, where teams skipped by Winnipeg’s Reid Carruthers and Jennifer Jones prevailed.
The Home Hardware Canada Cup isn’t played in Olympic seasons, and is replaced in the schedule by the Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings.
Tickets will go on sale in early May. Details will be announced close to the on-sale date.
“Home Hardware is proud to sponsor the 2018 Home Hardware Canada Cup,” said Terry Davis, President and CEO, Home Hardware Stores Limited. “As a 100 per cent Canadian-owned and operated company, we feel pride in celebrating the many accomplishments of Curling Canada with the millions of Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast.”

(Curling Canada Press Release)

SJHL Final headed to Game 7; Pistons captured 2018 Turnbull Cup



The SJHL's Canalta Cup Final will be headed to a deciding Game 7.

The Estevan Bruins evened up the Best of 7 series at 3-3 after a 4-0 win home decision on Sunday night over the Nipawin Hawks.

Jake Fletcher led the way offensively for the Bruins with 1G 2A while Johnny Witzke, Hayden Guilderson and Michael McChesney also scored for the home-side.

Bo Didur turned aside 36 shots for the Bruins for his 2nd playoff shutout.

The two teams will battle for the SJHL championship when Game number 7 is played on Tuesday night in Nipawin.

The Bruins are looking for their first league title since 1999, while the Hawks won their only league title back 28 years ago.

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Pistons capture MJHL's Turnbull Cup

(Compliments of steinbachpistons.ca)

The Steinbach Pistons captured their 2nd ever MJHL Turnbull Cup title on Saturday night defeating the Virden Oil Capitals 2-1 on the road in Game 6 to win the Best of 7 series, 4-2.

Former Wayway Wolverine Brendan Martin and Gilbert Plains MB product Riese Gaber scored for the Pistons while Ben Dalke replied for Virden.

The Pistons will now await the winner of the SJHL's Canalta Cup Final between the Nipawin Hawks and Estevan Bruins to see who they will host in Game 1 of the Best of 7 Anavet Cup that'll kick off on Friday night in Steinbach.

Friday 20 April 2018

Successful "Humboldt Broncos" Benefit Hockey game in Yorkton

Media preview



It was a packed house at the Farrell Agencies Arena in the Gallagher Center last night (Thurs) for a benefit hockey game in support of the Humboldt Broncos.

Hats off to the organizers, players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and of course everyone that came out to watch and support.

It was some great hockey action with the game ending up being 12-6 for Team Gold but that was secondary on this night to the fund being raised. The exact total from Thursday’s fundraising effort will likely take a few days to calculate, but early estimations put the number of dollars raised over the 50 thousand mark

Organizer Bret Peppler



Grandview product & New York Islander D Ryan Pulock who participated in the game also spoke to the media

Pistons' are one win away from MJHL's Turnbull Cup title


The Steinbach Pistons are now one step closer to a Turnbull Cup title.

Drew Worrad had 2 goals and 1 assist to lead the Pistons to a 7-1 win over the Virden Oil Capitals in Game 5 last night (Thurs) of their Best of 7 series.

Austin Heidemann, Tanner Mole, Easton Bennett. Tyson McConnell and Braden Purtill also scored for the Pistons while Kolten Kanaski had the lone goal for the Oil Caps.

Virden will host Game number 6 of the Best of 7 series on Saturday night at Tundra Oil & Gas Place. Puck drop is at 7:30PM MB time.

Thursday 19 April 2018

SJHL's Canalta Cup Final is now down to a Best of 3



The Estevan Bruins evened up the Canalta Cup Finals at 2-2 after they held on for a 5-3 win over Nipawin Hawks on Wednesday at Affinity Place.

The Bruins got out to a 4-0 lead on goals from Kaelan Holt (pictured above), Jake Fletcher, Tyler Hengen, and Michael McChesney but the Broncos would storm back to make it a one goal game with markers from Josh McDougall, Michael Grant and Logan Casavant.

But their comeback would be halted when Zach Goberis nailed an empty netter with just over a minute left in regulation time.

So the series is now down to a Best of 3, with Game 5 back in Nipawin on Friday and Game number 6 in Estevan on Sunday night.

Wednesday 18 April 2018

Nipawin Hawks take 2-1 edge in Canalta Cup Final after OT win in Game 3 in Estevan

                                                    

The Nipawin Hawks now have a 2-1 series lead in the SJHL's Canalta Cup Final after a 4-3 OT win on Tuesday over the Estevan Bruins at Affinity Place.


The Bruins went up by two half way through the 3rd period on the 2nd goal of the night by Hayden Guilderson but then Logan Casavant would lead the big comeback for the Hawks with a couple goals including the equalizer on the power play with 3.9 seconds to go in regulation to force the overtime period.


Then in the extra frame, Kenzie Arnold (pictured above) would capitalize on an Estevan turnover and went top-shelf on Bo Didur to give his team the edge in the championship series.


The two teams will meet in Game 4 of their Best of 7 series on Wednesday night from Estevan at 7:30.

SJHL sets up structure for trauma assistance program



The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) announced today they are finding trusted organizations to assist in setting up the structure for the SJHL Assistance Program. Announced last week, the program aims to provide well-administered support to players, families and billets in overcoming the trauma from the Humboldt Broncos’ accident.


Today, the law firm Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer (BD &P), as well as leading accounting and consulting firm MNP, agreed to provide initial guidance on setting up the program. The assistance program has already received early funding support from Co-op, with 78 retail co-operatives and Federated Co-operatives Limited together donating more than $525,000. Other organizations and individuals have contributed $765,000 through SJHL.ca.


“In honour of those lost, and their families, we want to ensure that this program is created and structured so that players and their families get access to the support they need in a timely and responsible way,” said SJHL President Bill Chow. “You need respected partners to make that happen. With MNP’s and BD&P's guidance on setting up the program’s structure and administration, I know it will be able to help meet both immediate and long-term needs.”


“Burnet Duckwork & Palmer is grateful to be involved in helping establish the SJHL Assistance Program” said John Brussa Chairman of BD&P. “This program will be an important resource for those individuals and families affected by the Humboldt Broncos tragedy.”


Near-term, the SJHL is focusing the program so that support reaches all SJHL players, families and billets who are working through the trauma caused by the Humboldt Broncos’ accident. Because of the outpouring of generosity, there may be opportunities to extend the program’s reach in the long-term.


“Hockey is family—players, coaches, families, billets and communities are all connected. That’s why the SJHL Assistance Program is for all players, families and billets across the SJHL,” said Chow. “Looking forward, we want to use this program as a platform to support players, possibly even beyond this league, so they can be healthy, resilient and make a meaningful difference in their communities.”


The SJHL has also announced a joint effort with its official clothing supplier 22 Fresh to begin selling #HumboldtStrong t-shirts at Co-ops (and online through 22 Fresh), with proceeds going to the SJHL Assistance Program. More details on when the t-shirts will be available in stores will be provided soon. Updates on this initiative will be shared through SJHL.ca and @CoopCRS.


Individuals and organizations looking to donate to the SJHL Assistance Program can visit www.sjhl.ca/sjhlassistanceprogram.


(SJHL Press Release)