Monday 29 March 2021

Former Swan Valley Stampeders' F Mullin inks AHL deal with Cleveland



 A former Swan Valley Stampeder has signed an American Hockey League deal.

Tristan Mullin has signed an Amateur Tryout contract with the Cleveland Monster, the affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Mullin spent the past season with the Catamounts after playing for Cornell for three seasons.

The native of Cartwright, Mantioba spent the 2014/15 season with the Stampeders compiling 52 points in 58 during that campaign.

Wednesday 24 March 2021

Wolverines sign Foxwarren's Wotton to LOI for 2021/22 MJHL season

                                              


The Waywayseecappo Wolverines are excited to announce that goaltender Tresor Wotton has signed a letter of intent with the team for the 2021-22 MJHL season.

The Wolverines recently acquired Wotton  from the Swan Valley Stampeders in exchange for future considerations.

The Foxwarren native, has played the last three seasons with the Yellowhead Chiefs of the Manitoba Under-18 Hockey League. 

(Wolverines Press Release)

Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League officially cancels rest of 2020/21 season





The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League has officially announced the cancellation of the 2020/21 season.

Based on the submissions before them and the state of COVID-19 in province, Saskatchewan government and health rejected the league's proposal to return to play.

"Yea it's been a tough year and its obviously disappointing, I didn't think it would get to this point honestly, I thought we'd return to play at some point but that just didn't happen and now we got to shift our focus to make sure we are ready to hopefully play a full season starting in the fall," Mils Head Coach/GM Mike Rooney said in a phone interview with GX94.

The SJHL season had been put on-hold since Nov. 23, 2020, at which point the league released a statement of their intent to return in the New Year.

The 2019-20 postseason was also cancelled March 12, 2020, due to concerns surrounding the beginning of the pandemic.
 
The SJHL will now turn its focus to the start of the 2021/22 campaign in September, with a goal of a complete season with the crowning of a league champion.


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Full audio chat with Mils Head Coach/GM Mike Rooney about SJHL announcement, their graduating players and the next steps for organization 


Tuesday 23 March 2021

Esterhazy's Baker signs CFL contract with Toronto Argonauts



Esterhazy’s Sam Baker has officially signed his first C-F-L contract with the Toronto Argonauts.


Baker was selected 48th overall by the Argos in the 2020 CFL Draft.

"I'm glad to get the contract done, its took a longer than I expected with everything going on and I know the contract doesn't guarantee roster spot and I'll have to go there and earn it," Baker said in a phone interview with GX94. 

He was one of the four 2020 draft picks signed by the Argos on Monday.

The receiver spent the previous 4 seasons playing university football with the Saskatchewan Huskies in Saskatoon.


Audio chat with Baker can be heard below:

Friday 19 March 2021

Waywayseecappo (MJHL) sign Paplawski twins to LOI for 2021/22 season



The Waywayseecappo Wolverines are happy to announce that Adam and Spencer Paplawski have signed a letter of intent for the 2021-22 season.

The Paplawski twins, 17, are from Beaumont, Alberta and played this past season with the Under-18 Leduc Oil Kings of the Alberta Elite Hockey League, although only playing one game. The year before, Adam played for the CAC Canadians and had seven goals and three assists during the season. Meanwhile, Spencer was playing with the Leduc Oil Kings getting six goals and 11 assists.

Adam and Spencer are already quite familiar with a few of their future teammates, as they played with current Wolverines Leyton Smith, Carson Baptiste and Reese Malkewich in previous years. They are also one of the few Leduc grads, along with Colby Perrin and Kaedin Laroque-Wolfe that will be joining the Wolverines this upcoming season.

Knowing some of the players for the Wolverines, Adam and Spencer both have an idea what to expect when they get to Waywayseecappo.

“They had nothing but good things to say about the organization,” said Adam. “They said the facilities are very nice and you get treated really well, and that’s all you can ask for from a hockey team.”

Head Coach Taylor Harnett said he is excited both players will be joining the organization next season.

“One thing that impressed me about these two individuals was their determination to succeed,” said Harnett.

“Their former coach, Ryan Rechner does a great job developing and helping players get to the next level. This was definitely an attractive element in our pursuit to get them signed.”

Last season the twins were split up for the first time in their hockey lives, but said they took the opportunity to grow as individual players.

“We both had pretty good seasons,” said Adam Paplawski. “It gave us the chance to grow on our own, and not heavily rely on each other.”

But even with the time apart, they realize that being twins has its advantages on the ice.

“We play on the same line and have very good chemistry, play the same style and are very effective together,” said Spencer. “(Adam) is the best player that I could ever play with.”

(Wolverines Press Release) 

Wednesday 17 March 2021

Former Mils G Berkeliev commits to Trinity Western University (U-Sports)

                      


Former Melville Millionaires netminder Berk Berkeliev will be advancing his hockey career at the university level starting this fall.

The Calgary, Alberta product will suit up with the Trinity Western University Spartans of U-Sports beginning in the 2021/22 campaign.

Berkeliev suited up for the Mils for two seasons from 2018 to 2020, and was named the SJHL's Goaltender of the Year during his 19 year old season in 2019/20. 

The 20 year old has played this season with the New Jersey Junior Titans and the Chippewa Steel of the North American Hockey League. 


Chat with Berkeliev can be heard below: 

Thursday 11 March 2021

Local product Bulych getting set to begin final seasin of Junior hockey with Swift Current (WHL)

 



For local product Kaleb Bulych, he wasn't sure if he was going to be able to get back onto the ice to play his final year of junior hockey, but that'll change this weekend as the Western Hockey League's East division hub in Regina begins with games this weekend. 

Bulych, whose a veteran of almost 250 career WHL games, says he's pretty fortunate to get the chance to get back onto the ice to play real games. 

"There's just a lot that's left on the table for me, I put in a lot in during our extended off-season and I'm just taking things in perspective as lots of guys won't get the chance to play again this season so I'm just going to go out there and enjoy it."
 
Swift Current is in rebuilding mode, and will sport a pretty young roster coming into the Queen City hub, but the veteran defenceman has liked what he's seen from the bunch early on this year

"We are going to be a team that works hard, talent-wise it looks like lot better than last year, and we got some leadership here, so I think our hard-work will help us get those bounces this year."

One thing that's going to be different for the Broncos and the rest of the East division teams when they hit the ice for their 24 game schedule over the next couple months is going to be playing in front of a crowd-less Brandt Center in Regina.

"It's definitely going to be different, but you just have to be a team that creates your own energy, we seen with the NHL and their bubble that the teams that do that with a big hit or big play, has the most success."

Bulych whose hometown is Foam Lake, but played much of his minor hockey in Yorkton, will be playing alongside his brother Aiden with Broncos and they'll kick-off their abbreviated WHL schedule on Saturday afternoon at 4PM against the Saskatoon Blades.


Audio chat with Kaleb Bulych below:

Tuesday 9 March 2021

Wadena Re/Max Curling Club encouraging Green Day in Saskatchewan on Wednesday in support of Team Dunstone


 


When you've tuning in the Tim Hortons’ Brier this week, I'm sure you've been hearing the Wadena Re/Max Curling club being attached to Matt Dunstone and his Saskatchewan rink. 


That’s because the foursome was in the Saskatchewan town for two weeks to prepare for the National championship.


Icemaker Scott Comfort says that came to fruition after a conversation between the team and one of their board members. 


"Dustin Mikush, one of your board members' and curler in his own right kinda had conversation with Matt Dunstone and said we could fine-tune our ice and get it to as close of Brier ice as we can and it kind of went from there."

Dunstone and his rink of Braden Moskowy, Kirk Muyres and Dustin Kidby had to get cleared Sask Health to order to get the chance to participate, plus they had to be under as strict quarantine.

Also another fellow board member was able to find a place to house the foursome, and through the days there was groceries and food dropped off by the community. 

Comfort admits it’s pretty cool to hear their community on the national stage.

"It's pretty special, the whole community and just the entire area is behind them and we are just glad we were able to play a small part in the preparation."

Lastly since, fans can’t be at the event to cheer on Team Saskatchewan, Comfort is encouraging everyone in the province to do their part in support this Wednesday.

"Just cause we can't be there in person to cheer on the team, we would like to see everyone in Saskatchewan wear their Green or curling gear on Wednesday to show that the entire province is behind them."

You are also asked to post your pictures of Green gear to social media tagging Team Dunstone with the hashtags of #smalltownproud, #gosask, and #Brier2021. 




Sunday 7 March 2021

Terriers' sign local product Taphorn to LOI for 2021/22 SJHL season




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

The Terriers' have signed Yorkton product and 2003-born forward Kylen Taphorn to a letter of intent.

The Captain of the Yorkton SeCon Maulers,  was pointless in 7 games during the 2020/21 campaign that got suspended back in November

Friday 5 March 2021

2021 Tim Hortons' Brier set to kick-off today (Fri) in Calgary's Curling bubble



This will be the 10th appearance at the Tim Hortons' Brier for Saltcoats'-born Steve Laycock (pictured above left), but he admits this appearance will look a whole lot different than the nine previous.

The 38 year old Laycock, who will be representing Team British Columbia once again this year at the event, says with the bubble format it's already looked a lot different since arriving in Calgary.

"Just when we arrived, we got our stuff from a vehicle and had to go straight to our rooms and usually you're able to mingle with some of your friends on other teams' but this year you can't do that."

With the cancellation of curling events and closure of curling clubs it has provided some struggles and obstacles for participating teams to prepare for their Brier experience and it's been no different for Laycock.

"Well most of our team is in BC, so they've had the chance for some individual practice for most of the time and for me I was able to get a little time in last month, so I believe I'm ready but its definitely not the way I've prepared for past Briers."

Another change for this years' Brier will be competing on the ice without fans and supporters in the stands due to the pandemic and for Laycock and his team, who will be coached this week by Yorkton's Gerry Adam, he adds it'll take time to adjust to that.

"We are usually a team that can feed off the crowd a bit, but you just have to embrace the environment that you are in and trust the process and I think we'll be good to go."

Laycock also echoes the comments of other fellow curlers by sending kudos to the entire Curling Canada organization and Alberta Health services to allow them to get the chance to compete for National championship during these times.

Steve Laycock and Team BC will open up their event on Saturday night at 7:30PM in Draw 4 against James Grattan and New Brunswick


Chat with Steve Laycock below:



Saskatchewan's Dunstone will curl out of local club in 2021 Brier









 

 

(Picture from Team Dunstone Twitter)

With most of the Curling clubs across Saskatchewan closed due to the pandemic, Matt Dunstone and his Saskatchewan rink were looking for somewhere to prepare for this weeks Tim Hortons' Brier.

That's when Wadena products Dustin Mikush and Scott Comfort stepped in and offered the Wadena RE/MAX curling club to host the Saskatchewan reps. 

Dunstone and his rink of Braeden Moskowy, Kirk Muyres and Dustin Kidby were able to practice for a couple rinks in Wadena and with the isolation orders in place, they housed themselves in the community as well.

In exchange for the hospitality the town offered, the Saskatchewan rink will be curling out of the Wadena ReMax Curling club when they begin play at the Brier in Calgary tonight (Fri) against Team Nunavut.



Thursday 4 March 2021

March 5th Local SJHL/MJHL News

Yorkton Terriers' F Watterodt signs with WHL's Kamloops' Blazers

The WHL's Kamloops Blazers have announced they've signed 16 year old and Yorkton Terrier forward Vaughn Watterodt.

Watterodt suited up in 6 games for the Terriers' during the 2020/21 season where had 2 goals and 1 assist for 3 points.

He was the Terriers' 3rd round pick in the 2019 SJHL Bantam Draft.

The Rosetown, Sask product will join the Blazers when the WHL's BC division kicks off their schedule on March 26th.

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Former Stampeder Falk joins Winkler Flyers (MJHL)

A former Swan Valley Stampeder is back in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.

Justin Falk has joined the MJHL's Winkler Flyers as their new Assistant Coach and Assistant GM.

The Snowflake, Manitoba product had 8 assists in 56 games with the Stamps' during the 2004/05 season.

He also spent parts of 9 seasons in the NHL with the Senators, Blue Jackets, Sabres, Wild and the Rangers.




Tuesday 2 March 2021

Swan Valley Stampeders D Saether commits to NCAA Hockey for 2021/22

The MJHL’s Swan Valley Stampeders have announced that graduating defenceman Brenden Saether has committed to play NCAA hockey starting this fall.

The Abbotsford, BC product will be playing for the Wentworth Institute of Technology Leopards in Boston, Mass.

Saether recorded 9 points in 66 career games in a Stampeders' uniform.