Friday 29 April 2016

2016 Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup Preview




The 2016 Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup begins this Saturday at beautiful Affinity Place in Estevan, Saskatchewan.

The teams taking part are the West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL), Brooks Bandits (AJHL), Portage Terriers (MJHL), Melfort Mustangs (SJHL) and the host team the Estevan Bruins.

There is a good chunk of local connections to the participating teams.

Melfort Mustangs- Former Melville Millionaires Carter Hansen, Kirk Bear, Ashton Clark, Brett Kitt, Richard Palmer, Mark Zvonkovic and Moosomin product Dakota Boutin.

Portage Terriers- Former Melville Millionaires Josh Bykowski and Michael Knaub, former Swan Valley Stampeder Braydon MacDonald, former Wayway Wolverine Braden Pettinger and Elkhorn products Brad & Shaun Bowls and Brett Orr.

Estevan Bruins- Former Melville Millionaire Tyson Predinchuk and former Yorkton Midget AAA star Lyndon Pastachak.

Western Canada Cup Schedule



Tickets are still available for the WCC with week-long passes available for $250.

Single-game tickets are also available now and for more information on tickets call the Estevan Bruin box office at 306-634-7730 or go to
www.estevanbruins.showare.com.



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

Also below I previewed the championship with someone associated with each of the participating teams.



Chat with former Melville Millionaire & Melfort Mustangs netminder Richard Palmer




                                                 

Chat with former Melville Millionaire & Estevan Bruins forward Tyson Predinchuk





Chat with Warriors Play by Play voice Kyle Anderson




                                                        
Chat with Bandits Color Commentator Ken Fleury




                                            

Chat with former Swan Valley Stampeder and Portage Terrier forward Braydon MacDonald





Wednesday 27 April 2016

Wayway Wolverine leading scorer commits to the Minot State Beavers for 2016/17

 


The Minot State University Beavers are proud to announce the commitment of graduating Wayway Wolverine forward Johl Swedlo to their roster for the 2016/17 season.

In his 20 year old and final season in the MJHL, the Portage La Prairie product led the Wolverines in scoring with 23 goals, 27 assists for 50 points in 60 games.

Swedlo joins former Wolverines Dylan Gedjos and Craig Fournier on the Beavers.

Swedlo talks about the commitment below:

Yorkton Cardinals Sign Head Coach for 2016 WMBL Summer Collegiate Season





The Yorkton Cardinals are very pleased to announce the signing of Omaha native and current  Zone Training Instructor at the PMPM (Perfect mind Perfect motion) baseball academy, Bryn Biancalana, as the Head Coach for the team, summer 2016.

Bryn brings to Yorkton an excellent pedigree,  as he is the son of former Major League infielder Buddy Biancalana who won the 1985 World Series with the Kansas City Royals, first beating the Toronto Blue Jays in 7 games and then the ST. Louis Cardinals also in 7.


Bryn brings a wealth of baseball knowledge because he has been around the game all of his life. Not only did he accompany his father to many major league clubhouses, he took a very keen fascination to the game as he progressed through his teens and early twenties. He feels he certainly has matured in the process of teaching and dealing with the game over the last five years. The PMPM philosophy of slowing the game down and adopting the concept of motion factor is groundbreaking, which draws on neuroscience.

Bryn has a unique ability to connect with young baseball players striving to achieve Professional status. Since Collegiate baseball involves players under the age of 25, this becomes a perfect storm for him to charge his players with philosophies that are new to them.

Bryn has coached in Edmonton (WMBL) and Saskatoon (WMBL)  in 2011 and 2012 and very pleased to be in Yorkton (WMBL) for 2016.

The Cardinals begin their 2016 season in Melville on Sat May 28 and return to Yorkton for a 7PM game vs  Melville on the 29th.

Tuesday 26 April 2016

Former Millionaire Palmer commits to Mercyhurst (NCAA Div. 1)



Fresh off winning his 2nd straight SJHL's Canalta Cup title with the Melfort Mustangs, former Melville Millionaire goaltender Richard Palmer has committed to NCAA Division 1 hockey next season.

The 20 year old Calgary, Alberta product has announced he will suit up with the Mercyhurst Lakers in Erie, Pennsylvania starting this fall.

Palmer has played in 99 career SJHL regular season games and has compiled a recorded of 64-20-2-6 and he had a 1.25GAA in recently wrapped up Canalta Cup Finals.

Newly Formed Men’s Fastball League looking for a Sponsor

The Milligan Creek Mens Fastball League had it first meeting on Monday night and they are currently looking for a presenting or title sponsor of the league.

This is the first mens league in the area since 1990.

We have 6 teams eager to offer recreation for young adults in the area.  The league not only offers a opportunity for area men to play but also offers high school aged kids an opportunity to play with a lack of minor softball leagues in the area.  The Wadena Wildcats and Fishing Lake Mariners are completely made up of 19 and under boys, in addition to some younger players on Wynyard and Foam Lake.  This league offers those boys a league to play in with a lack of minor softball in the area.  The only other option for those boys is to play against Bantam and Midget aged teams with the closest being PA, Saskatoon and Regina.

Our league is consists of the Foam Lake Merchants, Fishing Lake Mariners, Fishing Lake Cubs, Wadena Wildcats, Rosebud Royals (Wadena), and Wynyard Blues.

Any interested in sponsoring the newly formed fastball league can contact Scott at 1-306-338-9632.

Monday 25 April 2016

Mustangs capture 2nd straight Canalta Cup


The Melfort Mustangs have gone back to back, winning a second straight SJHL Canalta Cup Championship after a 2-1 win in Game 6 in Flin Flon Sunday night.

After a scoreless first period, the Mustangs were forced to play from behind in a raucous environment, as the Bombers opened the scoring, sending a packed Whitney Forum into a frenzy.  Their leading scorer Alex Smith found the net first at 7:05 of the second period.  Smith finished the playoffs with seven goals and 21 points in 16 games.

Travis Mayan tied it up for Melfort seven minutes later, and it was 1-1 after forty minutes.  It stayed that way until the Mustangs got a late powerplay and Wyatt Hinson buried the winner with just 3:35 left.  Hinson had four goals and 10 points in the regular season, and followed that up with six goals and nine points in the post-season.

In goal, Richard Palmer won his third game in as many consecutive starts, making 46/47 saves, going 3-0, 1.25 GAA, .968% in the finals.  At the other end Zac Robidoux was also stellar, making 31/33 saves.

Mayan was named the SJHL playoff MVP, finishing with 12-goals and 23-points in 17-games.  In his post-season career Mayan had 51-points (25g-26a) in 37 games.  In total, 203 games (regular season + playoffs), Mayan racked up 130-goals and 270-points.

A year ago, the Mustangs moved on to the Western Canada Cup in Fort McMurray and the RBC Cup in Portage.  This year, the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup takes place in Estevan, with the Mustangs opening up Saturday afternoon against the defending RBC Cup Champion Portage Terriers.

The field for the Western Canada Cup is:

SJHL: Melfort Mustangs
Host: Estevan Bruins
MJHL: Portage Terriers
AJHL: Brooks Bandits
BCHL: West-Kelowna Warriors

The full schedule can be found here:
http://www.westerncanadacup.com/view/westerncanadacup/bracket

Two teams from the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup will advance to the RBC Cup in Lloydminster.

(SJHL Press Release)

__________________________________________________________________________

There are 7 former Melville Millionaires/local products on the Mustangs roster:

 

(Top: Left to right- Brett Kitt, Richard Palmer, Dakota Boutin, and Kirk Bear,
Bottom: Left to right- Carter Hansen, Mark Zvonkovic and Ashton Clark) 

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


A member of the Mustangs is former Melville Millionaire and Ochapowace product Kirk Bear who talks about the championship below:


Friday 22 April 2016

Western Hockey League Conference Finals Preview with Jayce Hawryluk and Turner Ottenbreit



The Western Hockey League Conference Finals kick off tonight (Fri) in Brandon, Manitoba & Kelowna, BC respectively.

Roblin Manitoba's Jayce Hawryluk (Brandon Wheat Kings) previews Eastern Conference Final vs. the Red Deer Rebels.




Yorkton's Turner Ottenbreit (Seattle Thunderbird) talks about Western Conference Final against the Kelowna Rockets

Thursday 21 April 2016

Norrish Twins named as RIT Tigers captains for 2016/17

(RIT Tigers Press Release)

ROCHESTER, NY –
RIT head coach Wayne Wilson announced the men's hockey captains for the 2016-17 season on Wednesday, April 20. Juniors Brady Norrish (Strongfield, Saskatchewan/Yorkton Terriers), Chase Norrish (Strongfield, Saskatchewan/Yorkton Terriers), and Myles Powell (Courtenay, British Columbia/Cowichan Valley Capitals) will serve as captains for the two-time defending Atlantic Hockey Conference Champions. Brady Norrish (Strongfield, Saskatchewan/Yorkton Terriers) was a 2015-16 assistant captain.

"I think all three student-athletes are going to be outstanding captains," said RIT head coach Wayne Wilson, who completed his 17th season behind the bench for the Tigers in 2015-16. "They all represent what we want as students, players and people. All three men will represent our team and RIT well in addition to being great leaders as we attempt to defend our title and three-peat to again be the Atlantic Hockey Conference representative in the NCAA Tournament."

Brady Norrish (Strongfield, Saskatchewan/Yorkton Terriers), an All-Atlantic Hockey third team selection in 2015-16, enjoyed another excellent year for the Tigers, with 16 points on six goals and 10 assists while playing in all 39 games. He was the Atlantic Hockey Defensive Player of the Week on Nov. 2. In two seasons, he has 38 points on 10 goals and 28 assists. Brady was named the team's Rookie of the Year and Cordick Award winner in 2014-15.

Chase Norrish (Strongfield, Saskatchewan/Yorkton Terriers), who was named the Atlantic Hockey Best Defenseman of the Year and earned All-Atlantic Hockey first team honors in 2015-16, enjoyed a tremendous year, leading all RIT defensemen in scoring with 21 points on eight goals and 13 assists, while playing in 34 games. He was the Atlantic Hockey Defensive Player of the Week on Jan. 5. In two seasons, Norrish has 33 points on nine goals and 24 assists in 70 games.

Powell emerged as a valuable offensive threat in 2015-16, leading the team with 15 goals, while adding 17 assists for 32 points, second most on the squad. He also led the Tigers with eight power-play goals, four game-winning tallies, and a plus-12 rating, while taking just two penalties. Powell was named the Atlantic Hockey Championship Tournament Most Valuable Player after scoring the game-winning overtime goal in the semifinal against Air Force, while tallying four points on two goals and two assists in the championship game against Robert Morris. He has 42 points on 19 goals and 23 assists in 75 career games.

For the second consecutive season, and third time in the Division I era, the RIT men's hockey team advanced to the 2016 NCAA Tournament, winning the Atlantic Hockey Conference Championship. On the strength of a strong second half performance, the Tigers made a memorable postseason run, winning the league title before giving the No. 1 team in the country, Quinnipiac, all it could handle in the NCAA East Regional Semifinal. RIT ended the season ranked No. 20 in the final USCHO.com national poll with an 18-15-6 record.


Wednesday 20 April 2016

It's an end of an era for the Melville Millionaires



 



For the first time in 12 years, the Melville Millionaires will have a new Head Coach/GM for the upcoming SJHL season.
The team announced this morning (Wed) that they will not renew the contract of Jamie Fiesel for the 2016/17 campaign.

"We would like to thank Jamie for his 12 years with the organization and we wish him and his family all the best moving forward", Mils president Dawn Melnychuk said in a press release this morning.

Melnychuk also added that "After a dozen years you got to decide as an organization if this is the road you want to continue to go on or if you want to go in a new direction and that's what we decided to do."

Fiesel took over the helm of the Mils from Steve Young in 2004 had a regular season record of 339-280-58 regular season record over his 12 years and his teams lost in 3 SJHL League Finals to Humboldt (twice) and also the Yorkton Terriers in 2014.

"To me today, I'm not sad, disappointed that I won't be the guy to win the championship for this great community, I'm very content and I am very honored and happy that I was able to be the Head Coach/GM of the Melville Millionaires for 12 years", Fiesel said in a interview.

Fiesel was also the longest serving Coach remaining in the SJHL.

Any candidates interested in the Head Coach/GM position for the Melville Millionaires can send their resumes to Mils President Dawn Melnychuk by email to dawn@melvilleagencies.com


Thoughts from Mils President Dawn Melnychuk


Thoughts from Jamie Fiesel




_______________________________________________

Reflecting on Feez...

I'd like to personally like to thank Jamie Fiesel for all he did for me during our 4 years we had the chance to work together for.

Feez was also so accommodating for interviews or press releases with the team or just was there to be some one to shoot the breeze with which you can't ask for more being new to the Sports broadcasting industry.

Here is a couple of videos to remind us what kind of great humor and character Fiesel has.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgXb_uLMrQM or https://youtu.be/9OaIcVAzrfA

I had the chance to first-hand see the impact that Feez had on the community and to the Mils organization being from the City of Melville, he was always willing to lend a hand for Minor hockey practices to having his team or himself help out in the community to just having a conversation with any on from young or old in Melville.

So did Jamie Fiesel win that elusive first league title for the Mils organization and their fans, no he didn't (but no coach has been able to as of yet), did he put his heart and soul in to try and do that? Absolutely, no doubt about that. He was able to take a team that didn't reach a league final in 10 years, to 3 league championship series, and tons of memories not only on but off the ice as well.

So from him pretending he left his wallet on the road trips so the rest of us had to pay for his snacks to always chirping me (or sometimes complimenting me) about how with my nice suit and tie that I finally didn't have a face for radio, its been a slice Jamie Fiesel, thanks for all you did for the City of Melville, the Melville Millionaire organization, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey and for myself in your 12 years.

Like a lot of people have said, Melville was good for Jamie Fiesel but also Jamie Fiesel was good for Melville.



Portage Terriers capture 2nd straight MJHL Turnbull Cup Title

 

(Top left to right: Josh Bykowski and Braden Pettinger.
Bottom left to right: Michael Knaub and Braydon MacDonald)
For the 2nd straight year the Portage Terriers have conquered the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

The Terriers are now back to back MJHL Turnbull Cup champions after a 5-1 victory over the Steinbach Pistons on Tuesday night to win the Best of 7 championship series, 4 games to 1.

Chase Brakel scored twice for the Terriers while former Swan Valley Stampeder Braydon Macdonald, Brandon Stanley,  and Adam Wowryk added singles.

MJHL goalie of the year Nathan Park was once again solid making 20 saves on 21 shots.

Former Melville Millionaires Josh Bykowski and Michael Knaub, former Swan Valley Stampeder and former Wayway Wolverine Braden Pettinger are all part of the Terriers roster.

The defending RBC cup champs now advance to another Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup this time in Estevan, Sask at Affinity Place.

The Terriers will open up the WCC on Sat. April 30th when they take on the champions from the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

Sunday 17 April 2016

Former Millionaire helps Bentley win 2016 Allan Cup


 

The Bentley Generals capture their 3rd ever Allan Cup National Senior Hockey Championships on Saturday as they slipped by the Southeast Prairie Thunder, 4-3 in over time in Steinbach, Manitoba.

Carter Rigby scored the overtime winner at the 15:47 mark of the first overtime period.

Former Melville Millionaire Matt Stefanishion was a member of the Generals and led the tournament in goal scoring with 6 and also was named to the Allan Cup All-Star team.

The 33 year old from Dodsland, Alberta had 53 goals, 75 assists for 128 points in 112 career regular season games in the Blue and White.


Friday 15 April 2016

Yorkton Terriers 2016 Spring Camp Schedule


Friday, April 15th

            10:00-10:30am Registration @ Terrier Locker Room (Lobby area)
            10:30-10:45 am Review camp format
            10:30-11:30 am Goalie session
            12:00-12:45 pm Team Orange practice
            1:00-1:45 pm Team Grey practice
            2:00-2:45 pm Team Green practice
            3:00-3:45 pm Team Black practice
            4:15-4:45 pm Parent/Player Info Seminar in Section A & B (optional)
            6:00-7:45 pm Team Orange vs. Team Grey
            8:00-9:45 pm Team Green vs. Team Black
          
Saturday, April 16th

           9:00-10:45 am Team Grey vs. Team Green
           11:00-12:45 pm Team Black vs. Team Orange
           5:00-6:45 pm Team Orange vs. Team Green
           7:00-8:45 pm Team Grey vs. Team Black

Sunday, April 17th

           9:00-10:45 am Team Orange vs. Team Grey
           11:00-12:00 Individual Meetings for Orange and Grey
           12:00-1:45 pm Team Green vs. Team Black
           2:00-3:00 pm Individual Meetings for Green and Black


*** All players must wear the proper facial protection. ALL players who were registered at the Midget level must wear full face shields and neck guards. Players who were registered at the Junior level may wear visors.

Thursday 14 April 2016

Local Ties/Connections to the teams at 2016 Keystone Cup in Regina


                                                         













The 2016 Keystone Cup, the Western Canadian Junior B Hockey Championships begins tomorrow (Thurs) at the Co-Operators Center in Regina, Saskatchewan.

The 6 teams taking part are the 100 Mile House Wranglers (BC), Saskatoon Quakers (Host), Regina Capitals (Host), Peguis Juniors (Manitoba), North Peace Navigators (Alberta) and Thunder Bay Northern Hawks (Northern Ontario).

Saskatoon Quakers:  includes former Melville Millionaire F Rhett Kehoe.

Regina Capitals: includes former Yorkton Terriers F Kaleb Bell & G Carson Bogdan. Former Ochapowace Thunder & Kamsack product F Tristin Keshane.

North Peace Navigators: includes former Yorkton Terrier, Canalta Cup champion, Western Canada Cup champion & 2014 RBC Cup National Champ G Riley Medves

Peguis Juniors: 
Former Wayway Wolverine & Wayway product D Montana Tanner. Former Melville Millionaires Joey Sutherland and reigning PJHL MVP Matthew Cameron. Schedule & results from the tournament can be found here Here

Tuesday 12 April 2016

Yorkton Cardinals (WMBL) holding Information Night tonight!

**The Yorkton Cardinals will be having their public information meeting tonight (Tues) at 7PM at the Days Inn in Yorkton
Everyone is welcome, and the team is going to be available to answer any questions that anyone has about the team for the upcoming season
The Cardinals will also have information on the billet family and volunteer positions available

Yorkton Minor Baseball creates girls Rookie baseball division for 2016

Yorkton Minor Baseball has created girls baseball at the Rookie Division.

The girls born in 2007, 2008, 2009 years would play against the boys but on an all-girls team.

The hope is to keep girls together for the future in the baseball program.

Registration forms can be printed off on the website at www.yorktonminorbaseball.ca

Deadline to register is: April 19th

For more information contact Yorkton Minor Baseball at 306-828-0937 or Coach Brian Trollope at 306-783-2089.

Neepawa (MJHL) names Howden new Head Coach

 

(Neepawa Press Release)

The Neepawa Natives organization would like to announce Dustin Howden as the team’s new Head Coach for the 2016-2017 season.

Howden, who hails from Deloraine, Manitoba, has signed a three year deal with the organization.

 Howden has been the team’s assistant coach for the previous two seasons.

“We are excited to name Dustin as the new Head Coach.  He believes in the development of players to the next level, which is important to our organization.  Howden is a very good hockey mind and will challenge the players to be the best they can be each and every time they step onto the ice.  He has strong community ties, passion for the game, and exerts lots of energy for the greater success of the organization.  He has been very good for the organization for the past two years and it is an opportunity for him to run the bench as the Head Coach”, stated General Manager Myles Cathcart.   

Coach Howden embraces the challenges of moving into the Head Coach position and relishes the opportunity.  “This is a great opportunity for me.  The game of hockey and coaching has always been a passion.  The Neepawa Natives have always been a team that friends and family have played for over the years.  It is a storied franchise with a cultural identity that has seen a lot of great hockey players wear the jersey during the team’s history.  It is time for the next chapter to begin”, said Howden.

Thursday 7 April 2016

30th annual Student-Teacher Benefit Hockey game raises over $13,000


The 30th annual Student-Teacher Benefit Hockey game was held last night (Wed) at the Farrell Agencies Arena in Yorkton and once again it was a great success.

The night was able to raise a total of $13,394 ($6,697 each)  towards covering expenses for equipment and care for 10 year old Daniel Hermanson and 16 year old Chad Young, who are both battling cancer.

The donations included a $1,000 donation from the money raised from Tonya Cherry’s GX94 Christmas Goodies cookbook.

Wednesday 6 April 2016

Yorkton Terriers announce new "Find a Fan" Season Ticket Program

                                

The Yorkton Terriers are trying an unique way to try and enlarge their Season Ticket base for the upcoming season.

The club has announced the "Find a Fan" program for the upcoming season.

Any 2015/16 Individual season ticket holder, who recruits a "new" Adult or Senior Season ticket holder, will get credit towards his/her Season ticket. Price determined by date.

Any 2015/16 Individual season ticket holder, who recruits a "new" Teen or Child Season ticket holder, will get credit towards his/her Season ticket. Price determined by date.

**A "new" season ticket holder is defined as anyone who did not hold a season ticket in 2015/16.

**"New Season ticket holders will pay the price assigned to that date.


2016/17 Yorkton Terrier Season ticket pricing                 

Regular Pricing                                      April Early Bird                                August Early Bird
                                                                      (April 16th, 2016)                          (Date: TBD)
Adult:           
$320                                                  $290                                             $300
Senior:           $305                                                  $275                                             $285
14-pack:        $185                                                   $170                                             $175
Teen:              $129                                                   $119                                             $124
Child:             $79                                                     $69                                                $74


Terrier President Dave Baron talks about the program below:

30th Student/Teacher Benefit Hockey Game set for tonight in Yorkton


                             

Tuesday 5 April 2016

Football Night in Sasktchewan X set for April 30th in Yorkton


The 10th edition of Football Night in Saskatchewan is set to go on Saturday, April 30th at the St. Mary's Cultural Center in Yorkton.

Tailgate: 5PM
Supper: 6:30PM

Guest Speakers:
               
Bob Dyce
Former Saskatchewan Roughrider Head Coach          
   



 


Gene Makowsky
Saskatchewan Roughrider Alumni

Other Guests Scheduled to attend:

- Craig Reynolds (Foam Lake product) Saskatchewan Roughrider President/CEO

-
George Reed- Rider Great

-
Friends of the Roughriders

- Saskatchewan Roughrider, CFL & NFL Auction Items


**The money raised from the night will go towards supporting football around the area that are involved in the "Kinsmen Minor Tackle Football League"


Organizer and Yorkton Minor Football President Roby Sharpe previews the night below:

Stamps' Brausen commits to University of Wisconsin-Stout for 2016/17


The Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL) are pleased to announce that graduating forward Colton Brausen will be advancing his hockey career at the collegiate level.

The Little Canada, Minnesota product will be playing this fall with the University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils (Div. III) in Menomonie, Wisconsin.

Brausen played in 186 career games with the Stamps compiling 33 goals, 53 assists for 88 points in 3 seasons in the MJHL.

Monday 4 April 2016

Melville's Dales helps Saskatchewan win Gold at U18 Optimist International Curling in Edmonton


It was a golden week for Melville's Mitchell Dales (pictured far left) and his rink at the 2016 Optimist U18 International Curling Championships in Edmonton, Alberta.

Dales and his Wadena foursome of Dustin Mikush, Mitchell Schmidt, Braden Fleischhacker and Coach Verne Anderson won the Gold medal with a 7-6 over Quebec in an extra end.