Yorkton's Maier and Kemp named to the 2021 WHL Divisional All-Star teams

 

                                   (From Medicine Hat News)                         (Photo: Dan Hickling)

                                                                

Yorkton products Nolan Maier and Brett Kemp have been named to respective division All-Star teams from the abbreviated 2021 WHL season 

Maier of the Saskatoon Blades,  finished fifth among WHL goaltenders in wins, posting a 12-3-1-1 record in 17 games to go along with a 2.34 goals-against average and 0.915 save percentage.


The 20 year old also became the winningest goalie in team history passing Melville's Tim Cheveldae.


Kemp recorded 31 points (12G-19A) in 23 games and paced the Tigers offence leading the club in scoring. 


For a full look at the WHL's All-Star team go online to www.whl.ca

Melville Millionaires (SJHL) held their 2021 Annual General Meeting

The SJHL's Melville Millionaires held their 2021 annual general meeting last night (Thurs), via Zoom. 

At the meeting, Tammy Stevenson was acclaimed as President of the organization. 

"My first year as President was in the middle of a pandemic, so that was pretty different but we were able to work through that difference situation as a group and now I'm excited for the fresh season here in the Fall."  

Four others will remain on the board with Renee Waldbauer & Steve Sutton remaining as 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents' respectively, Dawn Melnychuk staying on as Governor, and Tara Badduke as Secretary. 

Mils' alumni Len Wassill will step into a newly-created role as Alumni & Education Liaison.

"Len is a Mils' alumni, and he is passionate of the hockey club and I think with this new position he will excel and help take this organization to the next level."

Long-time Treasurer Charlotte Poier stepped down from her position, and the Mils' board decided they'll be using an outside organization "Options' Accounting Solutions" to handle the books going forward. 

There will be three more Members' at Large positions to fill out the Mils' board, and those will be filled at a later date.  

 

Financially the final audit report for the 2020/21 year end was not available yet as of meeting time but Stevenson said with the gracious grant from the provincial government and some other fundraising projects they've had, they are in not bad shape. 

"The grant money definitely did help with the full season we didn't have and the lack of attendance and I wouldn't say we are in a bad position but we need to make sure we continue with our fundraising and make sure we continue to work with our community and sponsors with their support and make sure that remains strong." 

2021/22 Melville Millionaires' Board of Directors (as of May 28th)

President: Tammy Stevenson

Governor: Dawn Melnychuk

1st Vice-President: Renee Waldbauer

2nd Vice-President: Steve Sutton 

Secretary: Tara Badduke 

Alumni & Education Liaison: Len Wassill

Members at Large (3):

To be named at later date 

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

GX94's Benny Walchuk chatted with Mils' President Tammy Stevenson about the AGM and the future. 

bennywalchuk2 · Tammy Stevenson - Mils AGM (May 28)

Southeast Senior Baseball League set to return with abbreviated schedule in 2021

 On Tuesday May 25, a conference call took place with members from the Langenburg Legends, Parkland Pirates, Canora Supers, Grandview Lakers, Yorkton 18U Cardinals, and a 2022 Yorkton expansion team. Representatives were Tyrel Thorpe (League President from Langenburg), Mark Jacobs (Pirates), Greg Andreychuk (Canora), Branden Storey (Grandview/Roblin), Tom Courville (Yorkton 18 U Cardinals), and Colby Parachoniak (2022 Yorkton expansion team).

Restrictions were lifted for outdoor sports activity in Saskatchewan, so baseball is able to be played starting on May 30. Unfortunately, these same restrictions have not been lifted in Manitoba, so teams out of Grandview and Roblin are ineligible to play at the moment.

The Canora Supers, Parkland Pirates, and Langenburg Legends will play a double home and home schedule with each other as the three remaining full time teams. The Yorkton 18U Cardinals will play one game each against Canora, Langenburg, and the Pirates for a partial schedule. These games will count in the standings. So the three full time teams will have a 9 game schedule. The schedule has to be submitted by June 7, while the season will start by June 14, and finish by July 15.

Playoffs will begin with the #2 seed playing the #3 seed in a best of 3 starting on July 16, and finishing no later than July 23. The finals will be a best of 5 with the #1 seed playing the winner of the semi final in a best of 5 series starting on July 24. 

It was determined the 2020 season was a wash since it did not take place, so no teams were penalized if they had not intended to play. For 2021, the Willowbrook Royals, Back Forty Brewers, Yorkton Orioles, and Parkland Padres were given 1 year leave of absences. If these teams do not return in 2022, than they will lose their charter status and have to re-apply to the league.

All health and safety protocols issued by the Sask Health Authority must be followed. More details will follow in the coming days.

It appears baseball will be back in the summer of 2021. It has been a stressful past year+, but things will be coming back to normal. Stay tuned in the coming days as the schedule will be finalized!

(Submitted by League) 

 

2021 Richardson Pioneer Men's Fastball League season kicks-off this Sunday!

The Richardson Pioneer Men's Fastball League is extremely excited to say WELCOME BACK!

Again thanks to our major sponsor Richardson Pioneer for making this league possible for our 6th season. As Government restrictions on sports and recreation begin to ease on the 30th of May, the league can get back to the game we love. 

Richardson Pioneer Wadena Manager Chris Bartram said "Richardson Pioneer is excited to be returning as the title sponsor for the 6th consecutive year of the Richardson Pioneer Men's Fastball League.  It will be very exciting to watch play resume after being away from organized sports due to the pandemic. The times of Covid -19 have been met with many cancellations, regulations, and questions about what life may look like as Covid -19 subsides. As outside restrictions are lifting we start looking at the summer with optimism and excitement. We are excited to sponsor a league that brings joy to the players and spectators alike, because community is what its all about. Above all in this 2021 season Have fun, Stay safe, and Play ball!"

So, beginning May 30th the teams of the RPMFL - The Fishing Lake Cubs, Foam Lake Merchants, Rosebud Royals, Rosebud Jr. Royals, Balcarres Bronx, Neudorf Posse, Wynyard Blues and the defending Champion Rhein Rockets can get underway.

The league is truly becoming a staple in East Central Sask as games will be held in these communities as well as Ituna, Sheho and Leslie Beach. 

Please come enjoy an exciting game that this league offers on a nightly basis (note that any covid restrictions at that time will be followed by the league and its participants and spectators).

The league would also like to welcome back Western Cycle Source For Sports in Regina as a Conference Sponsor, if your company would like to support local sports our other conference is looking for a sponsor.  


Full League schedule found at http://richardsonpioneerfastball.ca/

(Submitted by President Michael Jordan) 

Korczak; Kosior ranked in NHL Central Scouting's Final Draft ranking for 2021 Draft

(Photo from Dobber Prospects)

Yorkton's Ryder Korczak (pictured above) has been ranked #34 among North American skaters, as NHL Central Scouting released their final ranking ahead of the 2021 NHL Draft.

Korczak suited up in 17 games with the Moose Jaw Warriors during their abbreviated 2021 WHL season.

Landon Kosior, who started this past season with the Melville Millionaires is ranked 168th.


The Regina product had 1 goal and 5 assists for 6 points in 6 games with the Millionaires during the 2020/21 season, before it got cancelled. 

The 2021 NHL Draft will take place on July 23rd and 24th.

Melville Millionaires (SJHL) announce Smith as new Assistant Coach

 

 

The Melville Millionaires are pleased to announce the appointment of Daven Smith as Assistant Coach.

Smith spent the past two seasons as an Assistant Coach with the Tisdale Trojans of the Saskatchewan U18 AAA Hockey League. He moves into a full-time coaching position after spending just over a year as a scout with the organization.

"We are very excited to have Daven join our staff" stated GM/Head Coach Mike Rooney.  "He brings passion and a strong work ethic.  He is young, but he brings a level of maturity beyond his years.  He is a great fit for the Melville Millionaires."

‘’I’m really excited to come to Melville and join the club full-time. I think it comes at the right time for me, it’s a great hockey town and I’m looking forward to help bring a great product of hockey to the ice for the Mils’ faithful”, Smith added.

Originally from Warmen, SK, Daven is also the former captain of the Tisdale Trojans U18AAA and won a SJHL Championship in the 2017-18 season with the Nipawin Hawks. 

After completing two years of junior hockey, he moved on to attend school at the University of Lethbridge where he studied Correctional Studies. 

Daven returned to Tisdale prior to the 2019 season to start into coaching and joined the Millionaires scouting department in May of 2020.

“I’m a pretty friendly, out-going type of person - it’s just the way I am. I think it’s important to have that type of person on a coaching staff and I’m just looking forward to July and working alongside full-time with Mike, Jarett and the rest of the Mils organization.”

(Mils Press Release) 

Yorkton's Kozushka; Langenburg's Zerr recognized to 2021 East-West Bowl rosters

 

Local products Yorkton's Peter Kozushka (pictured above right) and Langenburg's Noah Zerr (pictured above right)  are among those that highlight the 2021 East-West Bowl roster recognitions announced today (Wed) by U SPORTS and the Canadian Football League (CFL).

The roster recognitions celebrate the next generation of top Canadian football prospects, identified for the 2022 CFL Draft, following completion of the 2021 Draft last week. 


Kozushka,will be heading into his 5th year with the Alberta Golden Bears this fall, while Zerr will also be entering his final year of eligibility with the Saskatchewan Huskies. 

Both are also alumni of the Yorkton Raider Gridders High School program

Wayway Wolverines (MJHL) announce 2003-born D Wheatley signs LOI for 2021/22 MJHL season

The Waywayseecappo Wolverines are excited to announce that Owen Wheatley from Abbotsford, BC has signed a letter of intent with the team for the 2021-22 season.

The 6’0”, 165-pound defenceman has played the last two seasons with the Shawnigan Lake School Under 18 Prep team in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, scoring 12 points (three goals, 9 assists) in 36 games in 2019-20.

Wolverines' Head Coach Taylor Harnett says Owen’s former coaches had nothing but great things to say about him.

“Speaking with his former coach Kevin Cooper and hearing all the positive qualities that Owen will bring to the team on and off the ice, really made our decision easy,” says Harnett. “The fans can expect a player that will defend really well and also provide some good offensive opportunities.”

Yorkton's Kemp grateful for 5 year career in the Western Hockey League

(Photo/ Ryan McCracken- Medicine Hat News)

The abbreviated Western Hockey League season came to an end last night (Thurs) for the Medicine Hat Tigers, and that also spelled the end of the WHL and Junior career for Yorkton's Brett Kemp. 

"It's hard to believe the time has come has come already, seems like yesterday I was interviewing you Benny on Bantam draft day and now here we are, but I made so many friendships and memories that'll last forever."

Kemp suited up in 261 career WHL games where compiled 97 goals, 124 assists for 211 points with the Tigers, Edmonton Oil Kings and Everett Silvertips. 

He also suited up earlier in 2020/21 season with his hometown Yorkton Terriers where he had 10 points in 6 games. 

"That was an experience I'll never forget, I grew up watching the Terriers and I was grateful to get the chance to suit up with them as well."

The Tigers finished the season with a 14-8-0-1 record, good for 2nd place in the WHL's Central Division. 

Kemp admits this year was pretty different. 

"Yea it was definitely different with all the restrictions and guidelines and all the COVID testing, but in the end I was just happy that I got the chance to finish off my Junior career."

So what's next for the 21 year old?

"I'm not quite sure yet, I would like to play pro some where next season that's the goal, but I'm going to take a few weeks off & relax and see what happens from there." 


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

Full audio with Kemp below:
   

bennywalchuk2 · Brett Kemp - WHL (May 7th)