Melville Millionaires win, Yorkton Terriers fall in SJHL preseason openers

 WOLVERINES 4, TERRIERS 3 (OT)

The Yorkton Terriers opened their preseason Sunday with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Waywayseecappo Wolverines in the annual rookie game at Westland Arena.

Russell Aitkenhead netted the winner on a penalty shot just 34 seconds into overtime for the Wolverines, who also had goals from Dylan Prettie, Ryder Delaquis, and Liam Flett.

Logan Hynd forced overtime for Yorkton with 28 seconds left in regulation, while Taye Shukin and Broden Wotherspoon also scored. Meric Poncelet added two assists.

Connor Nicolson stopped four of five shots in the Terriers’ net before Josh Blair came on in relief, turning aside 14 of 17. For Wayway, DJ Mecas made 16 saves on 17 shots, with Grady Robert allowing two goals on 19 attempts.

Yorkton continues preseason play Saturday in Dauphin, while the Wolverines visit Swan Valley on Tuesday.

BRONCOS 3, MILLIONAIRES 4 (SO)

Brodie Bowen scored once, added an assist, and converted in the shootout as the Melville Millionaires edged the Humboldt Broncos 4-3 at the CN Community Centre.

Henry Thunderblanket notched the decisive shootout goal, while Wesley Olson, Braysen Agopsowicz also scored while Grady Carmichael each picked up two assists.

Gabriel Kaminski, Charlie Nemeth, and Boston Schmidt tallied for the Broncos.

Melville split its goaltending duties, with Noah Sinagowitz stopping 12 of 13 shots and Reid Schweitzer making 17 saves on 19 attempts.

The Millionaires continue preseason play this weekend with a home-and-home against the Weyburn Red Wings, starting Friday on the road.

Swan Valley Stampeders open 2025 training camp with eyes on playoff return

The Swan Valley Stampeders of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League will officially kick off their 2025 Fall Training Camp this weekend, ushering in a new season with fresh energy, fierce competition, and a clear mandate: return to playoff contention.

Assistant General Manager Darren Webster spoke candidly about the club’s off-season, which he described as one of the most productive in recent memory.

With several top scorers graduating and three veteran defensemen departing, the Stampeders faced significant roster gaps. “We had a lot of holes to fill,” Webster said. “Our recruiting efforts were focused on bringing in players who could step in and contribute immediately—and so far, they’ve looked great in conditioning camp.”

This year’s camp introduces a revised structure aimed at maximizing player evaluation with four smaller teams competing in mini-games throughout the weekend, culminating in a full inter-squad game on Sunday afternoon. It marks the return of a fan-favorite tradition, giving supporters a first look at the team’s evolving identity.

 Despite missing the playoffs last season, the Stampeders mounted a late-season surge, narrowing an 18-point deficit to just four points out of a postseason berth by January.

That momentum has carried into camp, with every eligible forward returning in peak condition including Ben Groome, Jake Giacobbo, Riley Fequet and Ethan MacTavish just to name a few while among the new faces is Finlay Johnston a standout from Langley’s AAA circuit and signee Crosby Harrison, whose attending camp with the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings. 

On defense, the club returns the likes of Gavin Bartha, Darren Hunt, Luke Scheck  added depth with Jackson Fleming, James Cullison, and Carson Connolly, while Cade Bolding is expected to join later from Western League camp.

“There’s going to be a lot of competition,” Webster noted. “No one’s guaranteed a spot, and that’s exactly what we want.”

The crease will be a focal point of camp, with returning goaltenders Elias and Rowan facing a push from three new challengers. With only six exhibition games on the schedule, the coaching staff will rely on high-intensity practices to make critical decisions before opening night.

 The 2025–26 season also marks Head Coach and GM Josh Tripp’s first full campaign as head coach and general manager, a move that has energized the community. Joining him is assistant coach Mark Woolgar, a local favorite returning to Swan River with his family.

“There’s a real hometown feel this year,” Webster said. “Everyone’s rooting for these guys to succeed.”

Melville Millionaires post big surplus at 2025 annual general meeting

The Melville Millionaires Junior A hockey club held their 2025 Annual General Meeting on Wednesday evening, celebrating a year of financial success, organizational stability, and strong community support.

Club President Daniel Hope was re-elected for a second term, and he expressed enthusiasm about the continuity within the organization.

“It’s very exciting for myself,” Hope said. “We’ve got a great board, and it’s awesome to see no turnover. Everyone’s comfortable in their roles, and we’re ready to build off last year’s success.”

The Millionaires reported a surplus of $141,766 for the past season, a figure that reflects both on-ice performance and off-ice engagement.

“It’s been a long time since we went into a season with money in the bank,” Hope noted. “But the work is never done. Running a Junior A team takes a lot, and we rely heavily on our supporters.”

Hope credited the club’s financial success to a combination of playoff revenue, strong attendance, and well-received fundraising events. “Putting a good product on the ice is huge,” he said. “Game day admissions, our cash lotto, the comedian night, and live auctions all played a role. And making the playoffs—especially drawing Yorkton—gave us a big boost.”

With an operating budget approaching $900,000, the Millionaires are focused on maintaining momentum with their Ag fun to community events, they’re committed to keeping the team strong and the fans engaged.

Fall camp kicks off this weekend, with the first sessions set for Friday night and their first home preseason game set for Sunday night at 7:00 PM at the CN Community Centre against the Humboldt Broncos.

2025/26 Millionaires Board of Directors

President: Daniel Hope

1st Vice President: Renee Waldbauer

2nd Vice President: Kevin Kirkwood

Secretary: Lindsey Pringle

Governor: Dawn Melnychuk

Alumni & Education Liaison: Len Wassill

Directors: Ryan Kienas, Darci Mann, Travis Lutz, Brandon Peet, Bren Forbes

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Audio with Mils President Daniel Hope:

bennywalchuk2 · Daniel Hope- MILS AGM (AUG 28)

Yorkton Terriers welcome new athletic therapist for 2025-26 Season

 

The Yorkton Terriers are pleased to announce that Mateo Drazenovic has joined the club as Athletic Therapist ahead of the 2025–26 SJHL season.

A graduate of the University of Manitoba, Drazenovic brings both academic training and practical experience to the role. Over the past two years, he has worked as Assistant and Head Student Therapist with the University of Manitoba Bisons Men’s Hockey Team, while also gaining professional exposure as a Student Therapist with the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets.

His experience extends beyond hockey, serving as Athletic Therapist for the FC Winnipeg Lions of the Manitoba Men’s Soccer League during the past two summers. Drazenovic also holds certifications in First Responder BLS, First Aid and CPR, cupping therapy, and KT taping.

Drazenovic says he’s excited to bring his skills to Yorkton:

“I’m super honoured and excited to be joining the Terriers.” “Yorkton has a tremendous history of producing talent and some of the best fans in Saskatchewan. I look forward to helping the Terriers build on last season and push for a run at the SJHL Championship.”

The Terriers open training camp on August 27th , with their first preseason game set for August 31 at home against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.

2025/26 SJHL preseason schedule announced for Melville Millionaires and Yorkton Terriers

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League has officially announced its 2025/26 pre-season schedule, with the Melville Millionaires and Yorkton Terriers set for a series of exhibition games as they prepare for the upcoming season.

The Melville Millionaires will kick off their pre-season on Sunday, August 31, hosting the Humboldt Broncos at the CN Community Centre. Following that, Melville travels to Weyburn on September 5 before returning home on September 6 to face the Weyburn Red Wings. The Millionaires will then host the MJHL's Waywayseecappo Wolverines on September 9 and the Yorkton Terriers on September 12, before closing out their pre-season with a visit to Yorkton’s Westland Arena on September 13.

The Yorkton Terriers begin their pre-season on August 31 at home against Waywayseecappo at Westland Arena. They then hit the road to Dauphin for a game on September 6, returning the following day to host Dauphin. Yorkton will also face off against Melville in back-to-back games on September 12 and 13.