Foam Lake's Bulych reflects on 5 year WHL career

Wednesday was the end of an almost 2 month run in the Western Hockey League's East Division hub in Regina, but it also spelled the completion of the WHL career of Foam Lake's Kaleb Bulych. 

Bulych and the Swift Current Broncos' wrapped up their 24 game abbreviated schedule last night (Wed) with an overtime loss to the Prince Albert Raiders. 

"It's been pretty surreal right now, but I'm super grateful for time in the WHL. Not a lot of players get to spend a lot of time in that high-level league like I did so I'm happy to have had the opportunity to improved myself as a player and person," Bulych said. 

Bulych's run in the league lasted over 260 career games, and despite it ending off in a tough deciding-game loss in overtime, the run to league final with Vancouver Giants was quite the experience. 

"The run was pretty cool, unfortunately the ending was not good but it's a run that a lot of us on that team will remember for a very long."

The Broncos and the other 5 Saskatchewan and Manitoba WHL teams were placed in a "hub" setting in Regina to stay safe so that teams could stay safe and play their seasons. 

Bulych was thankful for the experience to get back on to the ice and play, but he admits it wasn't easy. 

"It was grueling, 24 games in 48 days was tough but I'm happy with how it went, we developed lots as a team and we got really close, and I can see some good times ahead going forward for the Broncos' organization."

The 21 year old played in 266 career games in the Dub with the Broncos and the Vancouver Giants, where he compiled 9 goals, 30 assists for 39 points. 

So what's next for Kaleb? 

"I'm not sure yet, that's kind of up in the air right now if I'm going head towards pro or go to school in USports. 

Full audio chat below: 

bennywalchuk2 · Kaleb Bulych (April 29th)

SJHL plans full return for 2021/22 season

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL), and its member clubs, are making plans for a full return to play for the 2021-2022 season.

The SJHL will continue our efforts to work with the Saskatchewan Government to ensure that appropriate safety protocols needed, will be in place for the start of the 2021-2022 hockey season.


The SJHL is optimistic that fans will be able to join us in our arenas.

 However, protocols like mandatory masking and social distancing may still need to be in effect.

 Remaining vigilant and following public health safety measures, will help us get you back in our arenas.

We would like to thank our partners, volunteers, and the entire hockey community for their support during these unprecedented times.

 (SJHL Press Release) 

Yorkton Terriers (SJHL) sign Head Coach/GM Hehr to new 2 year contract extension

                                  
The Yorkton Terriers announced they have signed Head Coach and General Manager Mat Hehr to a new deal.


“We’ve agreed to a new 2 year plus an option year contract with Mat,” said team President Corvyn Neufeld.

“We felt it was important to have continuity and stability at that position.  We felt it was especially important, given that we are still in the midst of a pandemic, that we have our Coach and General Manager in place to make sure that as soon as we can play hockey, we are ready to go  Our board of directors is very pleased with the job Mat has done.  His record as a coach has improved each year that he has led this team.  We made a really nice run in the playoffs in 2018/19 beating Nipawin in the quarter finals and then losing to Battlefords in the semi’s.  We won our division in 2019/20 and were getting ready for a deep playoff run before the season was canceled due to COVID.  He’s worked hard building our list of prospects.  And he handled all the uncertainties of this past season very well.  We believe he’s a great coach and GM and are excited about our future with him at the helm!”

Hehr joined the club in 2016 as an Assistant Coach and took over as Head Coach and General Manager midway through the 2017/18 season.

“I wanted to stay in Yorkton and am really happy we were able to get a deal done now,” added Hehr.  “Now I can focus on getting our coaching staff in place and continue the job of getting players committed to joining us next season.  Recruiting has been really different this year, because you can’t go watch guys play.  But we can watch video and there are other great scouting tools we are using.  I’m excited about the players we have returning and the young guys committed to coming here in the fall.”

Neufeld added that while there are still lots of uncertainties about what the coming season will hold, the team is planning and preparing as if hockey will be back in September. “We’re so looking forward to having hockey back and seeing our fans back in the arena!”

(Terriers Press Release)


Audio with Terriers' President Corvyn Neufeld 

bennywalchuk2 · Corvyn - Terriers (April 23rd)

Audio with Terriers' Head Coach/GM Mat Hehr

bennywalchuk2 · Mat - Terriers (April 23rd)

Mils’ alumni Butler captures ACHA D1 National Championship with Adrian College

Former Melville Millionaire forward Ryan Butler (pictured above) is now National Champion.

 
The Maple Ridge, BC product helped the Adrian College Bulldogs win the ACHA D1 Men’s Hockey championships after defeating fellow Mils’ alum Eric Soar & the Minot State Beavers 6-1 in the title game on Tuesday night in St. Louis.

In his freshmen season of college hockey, the 21-year-old had 6 goals, 5 assists for 11 points in 22 games. 

Butler suited up in 53 games in a Millionaires’ uniform scoring 5 times while also chipping with 8 assists for 13 points. 

He also spent time in his Junior career with the OCN Blizzard and the Steinbach Pistons of the MJHL.

(Mils Press Release) 

Yorkton Terriers (SJHL) sign F Zurawell to LOI for 2021/22 season

                                                       



The SJHL's Yorkton Hyundai Terriers have announced another signing ahead of the 2021/22 season.


The Terriers' have signed 2003-born forward Ethan Zurawell to a letter of intent.

The Edmonton, Alberta product had 2 goals in 3 games in a shortened season with SSAC U18 AAA Athletics. 

Yorkton’s Maier becomes winningest goalie in Saskatoon Blades’ history on Wednesday

(Photo from Blades Twitter)

Yorkton's Nolan Maier is now a part of the history books for the Saskatoon Blades.

The 20 year old became the winningest goalie in team history last night (Wed) after stopping 29 shots to lead his team a 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Ice in Regina.

The victory was his 86th of his WHL career and he says it's pretty surreal to top the list.

"It's pretty special that's for sure, I don't think I really thought about the feat when I was drafted here as a 15 year old, but to achieve that and to celebrate with my teammates was pretty cool," Maier said to reporters after the game.

The mark was previously held by fellow Yorkton Mauler alumni and Melville product Tim Cheveldae, who held the record since 1988.

Maier admits it was even more special to pass him, as Cheveldae served as his goalie coach for the previous three seasons.

"It feels more sweeter for sure, just having him as a mentor for all those years with me and I know I'll text him and just thank him for all he did for me and taught me."

Maier and the Blades improved to 9-0-2 on the season with the win and they'll return to the ice in East Division hub in Regina on Friday at 8PM Sask time against the Moose Jaw Warriors.