Hockey Canada approves Western Canadian Development Model pilot project for the 2024-25 season

Hockey Canada has announced the approval of its Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM) pilot project for the 2024-25 season.

 This initiative, developed in collaboration with its four Western Members, Junior A hockey leagues, and the Western Hockey League (WHL), aims to enhance junior hockey across Western Canada.

The WCDM pilot project is set to transform the landscape of junior hockey by providing greater choice and flexibility for players and their families. It prioritizes the unique needs of athletes both on and off the ice, ensuring they develop at a level that matches their abilities.

Pat McLaughlin, COO and EVP of Strategy for Hockey Canada, stated, "The unity between Hockey Canada and the 10 organizations that led the development of the pilot project has never been stronger. We all must continue to evolve to meet the needs of Canadians looking to participate in our National Winter Sport."

The WCDM working group includes representatives from BC Hockey, the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League, the Pacific Junior Hockey League, Hockey Alberta, the Alberta Junior Hockey League, Hockey Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Hockey Manitoba, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, and the WHL.

"Our league is extremely pleased to partner with Hockey Canada, the Western branches the WHL & the other western Junior A leagues to continue to do what's best for the western canadian athlete." SJHL Comissioner Kyle McIntyre commented. "This in an exciting and unprecedented collaboration & we're excited and ready for the season to begin."

The pilot project will be reviewed throughout the 2024-25 season, with plans for expansion in future seasons. 

Changes for 2024/25: 

1. Standard of play and rules

By streamlining the application of Playing Rules for the same age group, athletes, coaches and officials participating in sanctioned Western Junior A leagues will gain experience and develop in a similar environment to the WHL.

• All participating Western Junior A leagues will adopt the WHL Rule Book, except for Section 1 – Playing Area, Section 3 – Equipment, Rule 34.6 – Television, Rule 38 – Video Goal Judge and Rule 46.14 – Major Penalty.
• Fighting in the Western Junior A leagues will continue to follow the existing Hockey Canada Rule 7.10.
• As part of the pilot, players 18 years of age or older as of December 31 of the current season may choose to wear half-face protection, while those under the age of 18 must continue to wear full-face protection, in line with the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Rule 202.

2. Roster composition

To increase flexibility in the development pathway for 15- and 16-year-old players in Western Canada, a number of changes will be implemented, including:

• All 15-year-old affiliate players will be eligible to play up to 10 games with their WHL Club, the same as 16-year-old affiliate players.
• Instead of rostering a maximum of five 15-year-old affiliate players in a season, WHL Clubs will be allowed to name up to nine by January 10.
• If a WHL Club cannot dress a full roster of 20 players for a game, the team will now be eligible to dress two 15-year-old affiliate players.
• WHL Clubs will be able to designate one 16-year-old player, who upon being returned to a Junior A, Canadian Sport School Hockey League or U18 team, will be allowed to play up to 15 games in the WHL.
• If one of the four Members participating in the pilot has granted a 12-, 13- or 14-year-old player special status to play in an advanced age category, any such player must be evaluated to ensure they currently meet and are deemed to continue with special player status in their 15-year-old year to qualify and continue to be eligible to play up to 34 games in the WHL.

 

Terriers; Millionaires swing deals over weekend

TERRIERS ACQUIRE 2006-BORN FORWARD LEONARD FROM PRINCETON (QJHL) 

The Yorkton Terriers announce they've acquired 18-year-old forward William Léonard from the Princeton Titan of the QJHL in exchange for a player development fee. 

Leonard, a Drummondville, Quebec product had 15 goals, 36 assists for 51 points in 48 games with the Titan during the 2023/24 campaign. 

MILLIONAIRES ACQUIRE HINCHSLIFF FROM BUFFALO (OJHL) 

The Melville Millionaires added some size to their forward unit in a trade with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres (OJHL).

The Millionaires picked up 6'2", 190lbs forward Beckett Hinchsliff from the Sabres for a player development fee. 

The Chicago, Illinois native contributed 5 goals, 10 assists for 15 points in 45 games this past season. 

Harnett resigns as Head Coach & GM of Waywayseecappo Wolverines (MJHL)

The MJHL's Waywayseecappo Wolverines will welcome a new bench boss for the 2024/25 season.

On Friday, the Wolverines announced that Head Coach and General Manager Taylor Harnett has resigned from his position, effective immediately.

Harnett has led the Wolverines for the past seven seasons, initially joining the team in November 2017.

Under his leadership, the Wolverines secured playoff spots in three of the past six years.

Harnett expressed that his decision was incredibly difficult and emphasized that Waywayseecappo will always feel like home to him.

The organization extends its heartfelt thanks to Taylor Harnett for his dedication over the past seven years and wishes him success in his future endeavors.

The search for the next Head Coach and General Manager will commence shortly.

Local product Campbell makes history by joining Seattle Kraken as Asst. Coach

The Seattle Kraken made history on Wednesday by hiring local product Jessica Campbell as Assistant Coach, making her the first woman to hold an on-the-bench role as an assistant or associate coach in NHL history.

“You speak to the word first, to be the first,” Campbell said in her introductory press conference. “But that’s never really where my focus is, it’s always on the work, it’s on the impact, it’s on the job. There’s a lot to this game and to this job, and so, I’ve never taken it for granted."

The 32-year-old who grew up in both Rocanville & Melville, spent the last two seasons as an Asst. Coach with AHL's Coachella Valley Firebirds, alongside Dan Bylsma who was named the Kraken's new Head Coach earlier this off season.

Before getting into coaching, Campbell played NCAA Division I hockey with the Cornell Big Red, and with Canada’s women’s national team, with whom she won silver at the 2015 world championship.

She started her hockey days with the Rocanville and Melville Minor Hockey systems, before suiting up with Melville Prairie Fire U18 AAA, and the Pursuit of Excellence in Kelowna, BC.

Yorkton Korczak inks new two-year deal with Vegas Golden Knights (NHL)

 

Yorkton product Kaedan Korczak has a new deal with the Vegas Golden Knights (NHL). 

The 23 year old signed a two-year contract extension with the club on Monday, that carries an $825,00 AAV on Monday.

Korczak played in 26 games with the Golden Knights in 2023-24, scoring one goal while adding eight assists, while also playing in 26 games with their AHL-affiliate in Henderson.

He was a Knights' second round pick in the 2019 draft and made his NHL debut in 2021-22. 

2024/25 SJHL Regular Season Schedule released

                            

The 2024/25 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League regular season will begin on Friday, September 20th as the full schedule was released on Canada Day yesterday (Mon). 

Opening night will feature 5 games including the Melville Millionaires visiting the Estevan Bruins while the Yorkton Terriers entertain the Weyburn Red Wings for their home opener at the Westland Insurance Arena  before visiting Weyburn on Sunday afternoon 

Each twelve-member club will play a total of of 56 games throughout the campaign which ends on Sunday, March 16th, 2025.

A change for this season will be the elimination of the SJHL Showcase in Warman, as this year the league and the MJHL will come together for two events. 

The first event takes place in November in Saskatchewan and will act as an elite identification camp for the upcoming 2024 World Junior A Challenge while the second event will be the annual MJHL – SJHL Showcase which will be held in Winnipeg at the end of January 2025. 

For a full look at the 2024/25 schedule CLICK HERE

YORKTON TERRIERS SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN:

September:  4

October:  11

November: 10

December: 6

January: 11

February: 9

March: 5

FULL SCHEDULE 


MELVILLE MILLIONAIRES SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN: 

September:  4

October:  10

November: 11

December: 7

January: 10

February: 8

March: 6

FULL SCHEDULE

Fort Knox (PJHL) name Scott as their new Head Coach

The Prairie Junior Hockey League's Fort Knox have announced their new Head Coach for the 2024/25 season. 

The club has hired 38-year-old Matt Scott as their new bench boss, taking over for Tucker Neuberger who was unable to return behind the bench due to workload and commitment to his academic achievement. 

Scott, a Knox alumni who played for the team during the 2006-07 season, brings an extensive coaching background to the team, having coached at all levels at Notre Dame as a Skills & Development Coach while also being Co-Owner and lead instructor at Western Prospects Hockey Development. 

Full team release found HERE

Swan Valley Stampeders announce a profit from 2023/24 season

 

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League's Swan Valley Stampeders held their annual general meeting on Wednesday night in Swan River. 

During the meeting, Stampeder alumni Evan Morden was named as the new President taking over the outgoing Cramer Coulthart, who'll stay on as governor. 

"First off I'd like to thank Cramer for all the work he did as President, he provided stability and steered the team in the right direction through some very unprecedented times, but for myself I'm looking forward to the opportunity, to work a new full board of directors it's pretty exciting," Morden said. 

Yes for the first time since 2016, the organization's twelve seats on the board are filled after going through last season with half the seats vacant. 

The success on the ice was different from what the hockey club was looking for, missing the postseason but Morden adds they did have a profitable year off of it. 

"Yea, we were able to have a pretty good year financially with a profit of around 55 thousand dollars for the bottom, thanks to our great corporate sponsors, plus 61 thousand profit from our crop project and trying to reduce our expenses as best as possible." 

Morden adds that bringing back Head Coach & General Manager Barry Wolff is a positive for the organization both on and off the ice, and he's expecting the team to be much more competitive in 2024/25. 


2024/24 Stampeders Board of Directors 

Evan Morden (President)

Dallas Anderson (Vice President)

Erin Hodgson (Secretary)

Danielle Gordon-Broome

Rod Pidskalny

Ken Kirkpatrick

Jackie Mullin

Ricky Barker

Cole Windsor

Dave Fletcher

Jordan Olson

Warren Clark

Full audio with Evan Morden below:

bennywalchuk2 · Evan Morden - SV AGM (Jun 14, 2024)

What did the Melville Millionaires and Yorkton Terriers do at the 2024 SJHL Draft?

 

2009-born

1st round, 7th overall:

F Nathan Gardiner - Gainsborough, SK
(26GP 19G 42A = 61 points with Estevan Bruins U15 AA)

1st round, 8th overall:

F Hudson Postnikoff - Saskatoon, SK
(29GP 32G 19A = 51 points with Saskatoon Outlaws U15 AA)

1st round, 11th overall:

F Kasey Gleim - Chaplin, SK
(26GP 31G 27A = 58 points with Swift Current Broncos U15 AA)

2nd round, 20th overall:

F Parker Salisbury - RM of Nipawin, SK
(26GP 16G 20A = 36 points with North East Wolfpack U15 AA)

2008-born

1st round, 11th overall:

D Jack Lavallee - Saskatoon, SK

(38GP 1G 6A = 7 points with Warman Wildcats U18 AAA)

1st round, 12th overall:

F Carter Wingert - Prince Albert, SK
(32GP 12G 18A= 30 points with Prairie Hockey Academy U17 Prep (CSSHL))

3rd round, 32nd overall:

D Ryland McConnell - Martensville, SK
(26GP 2G 6A = 8 points with Martensville Marauders 15AA)

4th round, 44th overall:

F Chance Regush - Warman, SK
(25GP 19G 34A = 53 points with Martensville Marauders 15AA)

5th round, 50th overall:

D Cayden Stratychuk - Saskatoon, SK
(33GP 2G 16A= 18 points with Saskatoon Riverkings U18 AA)

5th round, 56th overall:

D Riley Schmiess - Swift Current, SK
(36GP 0G 6A = 6 points with Swift Current Broncos U18 AA)

2009-born

1st round, 3rd overall:

F Tyson Medernach - Saskatoon, SK
(28GP 47G 24A = 71 points with Saskatoon Stallions U15 AA)

2nd round, 15th overall:

F Layne McKechnie - Lumsden, SK
(17GP 18G 12A = 30 points with Prairie Storm U15 AA)


2008-born

1st round, 3rd overall:

D Austin Root - Martensville, SK
(26GP 8G 28A = 36 points with Martensville Marauders 15AA)

2nd round, 15th overall:

D Carter Stolte - Dundurn, SK
(33GP 4G 20A = 24 points with Saskatoon Riverkings U18 AA)

2nd round, 20th overall:

F Broden Wotherspoon - Martensville, SK
(48GP 41G 24A = 65 points with Martensville Marauders 15AA)
 

3rd round, 27th overall:

D Lane Keyowski - Shellbrook, SK
(26GP 11G 18A = 29 points with Parkland Elks U18 AA)

4th round, 39th overall:

F Kaden Sperle - Unity, SK
(31GP 10G 13A = 23 points with West Central Wheat Kings U18 AA)

5th round, 46th overall:

D Logan Hynd - Saskatoon, SK
(22GP 5G 22A = 27 points with Saskatoon Riverkings U18 AA)

6th round, 63rd overall:

D Jake Missura - Saskatoon, SK
(38GP 1G 10A = 11 points with Saskatoon Blazers U18 AAA)

Full 2024/25 MJHL regular season schedule has been released

Friday, September 20th is the start date for the 2024/25 Manitoba Junior Hockey League regular season as the full schedule was released today

Opening weekend will feature 12 games taking place throughout the weekend involving all 13 member teams with each team playing 58 games throughout the campaign which ends on March 16th, 2025.

The Swan Valley Stampeders kick off their season with home and home against The Blizzard, while the Waywayseecappo Wolverines' opener goes on Sun. September 22nd hosting the Niverville Nighthawks.

All 13 teams will each play 29 home and 29 away games from September to March. 

For a full look at the 2024/25 schedule CLICK HERE


SWAN VALLEY STAMPEDERS SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN:

September:  5 

October: 9 

November: 11

December: 6

January: 11

February: 10

March: 4


WAYWAYSEECAPPO WOLVERINES SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN: 

September:  4

October: 9 

November: 11

December: 8

January: 9

February: 11

March: 6

 

Local medalists at the 2024 SHSAA Provincial Track & Field Championships in Saskatoon

 
Melville Comprehensive's Ava Delainey can add two more Gold medals to her trophy case after another successful weekend on the track.

Delainey became a three-time provincial champion in the Girls 400 meter and 100 meter Wheelchair races at the 2024 Saskatchewan High School Provincial Track & Field Championships held this past Friday and Saturday from the Gordie Howe Sportsplex in Saskatoon.

The grade twelve MCS student previously won Gold in those two events in the 2022 and 2023 championships.

Meanwhile Yorkton Regional's Eddie Baron also captured two medals, winning bronze in the Junior Boys 1500 and 3000 meter races.

FINAL RESULTS HERE

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

Full list of local medalists below:

GOLD:

Ava Delainey - Melville Comprehensive - GIRLS 400 METER WHEELCHAIR

Ava Delainey - Melville Comprehensive - GIRLS 100 METER WHEELCHAIR

Vivian Beaudoin - Foam Lake  - JUNIOR GIRLS JAVELIN

Dane Peterson- Carlyle - JUNIOR BOYS SHOT PUT

SILVER:

Amer Thomas - Yorkton Regional - JUNIOR BOYS 200 METER

Amber Spray- Preeceville - INTERMEDIATE GIRLS JAVELIN

BRONZE:

Eddie Baron - Yorkton Regional - JUNIOR BOYS 1500 METER

Eddie Baron - Yorkton Regional - JUNIOR BOYS 1500 METER

Hillary Erhaze - Yorkton Sacred Heart - JUNIOR GIRLS 80 METER HURDLES

Charlie Szabo - Yorkton Regional - INTERMEDIATE GIRLS 400 METER

Luke Holman - Moosomin - JUNIOR BOYS 800 METER

Colby Halliday- Yorkton Regional - SENIOR BOYS LONG JUMP

Noah Pettinger - Melville Comprehensive - JUNIOR BOYS TRIPLE JUMP

Summer Johnson - Norquay - JUNIOR GIRLS HIGH JUMP

Taye Shukin - Canora - SENIOR BOYS TETRATHLON

Piper Beatty - Yorkton Regional - JUNIOR GIRLS TETRATHLON

Millionaires acquire three draft picks from the Melfort Mustangs

 

The Melville Millionaires announced over the weekend they completed a deal with the Melfort Mustangs. 

The Millionaires traded the rights to 2004-born defenceman Nicholas Andrusiak to the defending champions in exchange for a first-round pick in the 2024 (2008-born) draft, a first-round pick in 2024 (2009-born) draft, a second-round pick in 2025 (2010 born) and a player development fee. 

The Tisdale product spent this past split between the Red Deer Rebels and the Saskatoon Blades of the WHL where he compiled eight assists in 51 games. 

Andrusiak, selected second overall by the moneymen in the 2019 SJHL Draft, suited up in 75 career games in a Mils uniform scoring four times while adding 14 assists for 18 points. 

2024 MJHL Draft Recap for the Swan Valley Stampeders & Waywayseecappo Wolverines

 

1st round, 3rd overall:

D Casey Magarrell - Domain, Manitoba

(28GP 4G 15A = 19 points with Rink Hockey Academy U17 Prep (CSSHL)

2nd round, 16th overall:

F Crosby Harrison - Winnipeg, Manitoba 
(41GP 10G 6A = 16 points with Winnipeg Thrashers (MB U18 AAA)

2nd round, 19th overall:

F Jaxson Brick - Brandon, Manitoba
(27GP 3G 1A = 4 points with Brandon Wheat Kings (MB U18 AAA)

3rd round, 39th overall:

F Dwight Sawatzky - Mather, Manitoba 
(31GP 4G 8A = 12 points with Pilot Mound Academy U17 Prep (CSSHL))

4th  round, 45th overall:

D Jacob Reimer - Lorette, Manitoba 
(36GP 2G 23A = 25 points with Eastman Selects U17 Prep (CSSHL))

6th round, 68th overall:

F Cole Lobreau - Brandon, Manitoba 
(44GP 5G 9A = 14 points with Brandon Wheat Kings (MB U18 AAA)



Recap with Stamps Head Scout Mitchell Kirkup
  

bennywalchuk2 · Mitch Kirkup- SV DRAFT (Jun 3 2024)

1st round, 4th overall:

F Cole Hunter - Oakburn, Manitoba 
(44GP 15G 21A = 36 points with Yellowhead Chiefs (MB U18 AAA)) 


1st round, 10th overall:

F Hank Thompson - Thompson, Manitoba

(53GP 5G 21A = 26 points with Norman Northstars (MB U18 AAA)


2nd round, 17th overall:

F Alec Strachan - Hamiota, Manitoba 
(44GP 7G 14A = 21 points with Yellowhead Chiefs (MB U18 AAA)) 

3rd round, 30th overall:

F Gavin Quenelle - Winnipeg, Manitoba
(29GP 10G 8A = 18 points with RHA Winnipeg U17 Prep (CSSHL)) 


Recap with Wolverine Head Coach & GM Taylor Harnett 

bennywalchuk2 · Taylor- WAYWAY DRAFT (Jun 3, 2024)

Millionaires (SJHL) hire Di Paolo as their new Assistant Coach

 


The Melville Millionaires are pleased to announce that they've hired Antonio Di Paolo as their new Assistant Coach. 

The 25 year old Saskatoon product steps into the position left vacant after Geordie Wudrick accepted a job as Head Coach of the Creston Valley Thunder Cats of the KIJHL.

Di Paolo is no stranger to the SJHL having played 139 career games from 2015 to 2019 split between the Humboldt Broncos and La Ronge Ice Wolves.

He then spent one season in the North American Hockey League then one season in each with Alaska-Fairbanks (NCAA Div I) & Wisconsin-Superior (NCAA Div III).

Full Chat with Di Paolo below:

bennywalchuk2 · DI PAOLO - MILS (May 31, 2024)

Chat with Mils Head Coach & GM Doug Johnson

bennywalchuk2 · Doug Johnson - MLV (May 31st 2024)

2024 MJHL Draft set to take place on Sunday

 

The 2024 Manitoba Junior Hockey League draft is set to take place on Sunday as the thirteen-member clubs will select 2008-born prospects in Manitoba to join their organizations. 

The Swan Valley Stampeders have six total selections in the draft including the third overall pick in round number one.

Meanwhile, the Waywayseecappo Wolverines go into the weekend with 5 picks including their first round, fourth overall.

The defending MJHL champion Winkler Flyers will select first overall after acquiring the pick from the Winnipeg Freeze last season. 

Follow along with each pick on Sunday in real-time at https://mjhldraft.rinknet.com/.

2024 SJHL Draft set for June 11th

                                      

REGINA- The date has been set for the 2024 edition of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Draft. 

The draft will start at 3:00 PM on June 11th and be presented live from the IKS Media studios in Regina on the SJHL’s Facebook and X pages, and YouTube channel.

It will be an eight-round draft, with two rounds of selections for 2009 birth-year players, followed by six rounds for 2008 birth-year players.

Here is that draft order, subject to change as teams may have already, or will trade picks.

1. Notre Dame Hounds
2. La Ronge Ice Wolves
3. Yorkton Terriers
4. Nipawin Hawks
5. Kindersley Klippers
6. Estevan Bruins
7. Weyburn Red Wings
8. Melville Millionaires
9. Battlefords North Stars
10. Humboldt Broncos
11. Melfort Mustangs
12. Flin Flon Bombers

 “The SJHL Draft is an exciting time for the players, their families, and for SJHL teams and we are extremely excited to welcome these prospects to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and look forward to seeing many in our SJHL communities in the future”, said league commissioner Kyle McIntyre. 

(Will files from the SJHL)

Swan River's Sauder commits to Wisconsin-Superior for 2024/24 season

Swan River product Trey Sauder will be advancing his hockey career at the collegiate level starting this Fall. 

The 20-year-old announced yesterday (Mon) his commitment to the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellow Jackets (NCAA Division III) for the 2024/25 campaign. 

Sauder suited up in 154 career games with his hometown team compiling 48 goals, 72 assists for 120 points before being dealt to the Steinbach Pistons this past January. 


He will join fellow Stampeder alumni Kobe Grant on the Yellow Jacket roster. 

======

The Swan Valley Stampeders are excited to announce their two auto-protected players ahead of this year’s Manitoba Junior Hockey League Draft.

The Stamps have selected Swan River products Forward Alex Campbell (08) and Forward Trace Langan (08).

Campbell collected 10 points in 43 games with the Parkland Rangers this past season, while Langan netted 10 goals and 16 points in 30 games with the Prairie Hockey Academy (CSSHL).

Team Manitoba edges Saskatchewan to capture their first Challenge Cup in Foam Lake

                               

Team Saskatchewan had their three-game Challenge Cup win streak snapped on Monday afternoon.

The Saskatchewan squad comprised of graduating 9 – a side football players from across the province dropped a 44-33 decision to Team Manitoba in Foam Lake.

The Saskatchewan contingent will look to get back into the win column next year in the game which will take place in Mantioba in May 2025.

Manitoba Players of the Game:

Manitoba

OFF- #15 Max Funk (St. Vital)

DEF- #86 Quinton Favel (Interlake)

Saskatchewan

OFF- #8 Easton Ottman (Humboldt)

DEF- #28 Jordan Klenk (Melfort)

Yorkton Terriers Celebrity Sports Dinner a Huge Success

                        


The Yorkton Terriers Celebrity Sports Dinner presented by the Yorkton Kinsmen was held last month, and it was a resounding success with $81,000 raised from the night.

Yesterday (Tues) the Terriers were presented with a big cheque for $60,000 from the fundraising dinner committee while the remaining balance of $21,000 will remain in the committee operating fund that will help our committee to plan future fundraising events

Board Member Pat Koskie brought forward the idea and originally expected to raise $30,000 but was blown away by the community’s support for the event.

A major event sponsor was Yorkton Kinsmen, and President Elmer Hollinger says it didn’t take them long to agree to partner with the event, as he says the Terriers are a huge staple in the community, and they are always eager to give back.

The night included cocktails, a supper, and former NHLers Jeff Odgers and Terry Ryan served as Guest Speakers.

At the start of the new year, the Terriers shocked the community with their financial position and needed the fans and community more than ever, holding a 2024-25 Season Tickets blitz. 

The community rallied around the Terriers and purchased nearly one thousand Season Tickets for next year.

May 13th Local Sports Notes

NORTH VALLEY DUO CAPTURE SHSAA PROVINCIAL BADMINTON SILVER IN NIPAWIN

The Saskatchewan High School Provincial Badminton Championships were held this past weekend in Nipawin. 

After capturing Bronze last year, Jake Mayo & Saren Petrychyn from North Valley High School in Lemberg, earned a Silver medal after falling in two sets in the Gold medal match to Walter Murray's Jenna Xu and Owen Dobrowolsky. 

For full provincial results CLICK HERE 


====

TEAM SASKATCHEWAN MALE EARNS SILVER AT NATIONAL ABORIGINAL HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS IN GRANDE PRAIRE 

Saskatchewan's male squad will return with a silver medal from National Aboriginal Hockey Championships wrapped up over the weekend in Grande Prairie, Alberta. 

Ontario powered their way to a 4-0 win over Saskatchewan in Gold medal game on Sunday afternoon. 

Yorkton products Shaden Duliak, Dylan Brass, & Cameron Allard, Whitewood's Hudson Breahut, Ochapowace's Connor Bear and Melville Millionaire prospects Henry Thunderblanket and Raiden Zacharias were on the Saskatchewan roster. 

Local players selected in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft

 

The 2024 WHL Prospects Draft was held on Thursday as the 22 member clubs selected 2009-born players to join their organizations. 

Six local players were selected with the highest picked being Yorkton product Aiden Wagner selected in the 2nd round, 25th overall by the Regina Pats. 

Wagner played in 24 games with the Northern Alberta Extreme (CSSHL) this past season scoring four times while adding 19 assists.

Meanwhile, four members of the Sask East Oilers U15 AA team were selected including D Cooper Bratton (Moosomin, SK) selected in the second round, 41st overall by Prince George, F Trae Peterson (Sturgis, SK) in 3rd round by Tri-City, F Maxon Johnston (Round Lake, SK) in 5th round by Moose Jaw and goaltender Kaleb Page (Whitewood, SK) selected by Calgary in the seventh round.

Dauphin product Forrest Karlson was also selected going 98th overall to the Red Deer Rebels.

For full list of selections CLICK HERE

Chat with Aiden Wagner below:

bennywalchuk2 · Aiden W - WHL Draft 2024

=---

D Aiden Wagner - Yorkton, Saskatchewan 

2nd round,  25th overall to the Regina Pats
(22GP 4G 19A = 23 points with NAX U15 Prep (CSSHL))

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

D Cooper Bratton - Moosomin, Saskatchewan

2nd round,  41st overall to the Prince George Cougars
(27GP 20G 32A = 52 points with Sask East Oilers U15 AA)

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

F Trae Peterson - Sturgis, Saskatchewan 

3rd round,  56th overall to the Tri-City Americans 
(27GP 38G 46A = 84 points with Sask East Oilers U15 AA)


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

F Forrest Karlson -  Dauphin, Manitoba

5th round,  98th overall to the Red Deer Rebels 
(27GP 18G 24A = 42 points with Pilot Mound U15 Prep (CSSHL))

-------------------
F Maxon Johnston - Round Lake, Saskatchewan

5th round, 101st overall to the Moose Jaw Warriors
(27GP 25G 19A = 44 points with Sask East Oilers U15 AA)

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

G Kaleb Page -  Whitewood, Saskatchewan 

7th round, 139th overall to the Calgary Hitmen
(15GP 12-3-0 record  1SO  2.21GAA  0.910 SV% = 19 points with Sask East Oilers U15 AA) 

Balcarres product & Stampeder alumni Fishley commits to University of Regina (USports)

 

Former Swan Valley Stampeder captain Ashton Fishley has announced his post-secondary hockey commitment for the 2024/25 season. 

The Balcarres product will join the University of Regina Cougars men's hockey team of USports starting this Fall. 

Fishley suited up in 171 career MJHL games compiling 16 goals, 57 assists for 73 points combined in his time with the Stampeders and Portage Terriers. 

 

10 years later: Looking back on the Yorkton Terriers RBC Cup National junior A hockey championship

 

YORKTON- "We just always all believed in each other and we never quit."

That's a very common response that players and staff say when asked what made the 2013/14 Yorkton Terriers so special. 

The Terriers led by their general manager Don Chesney and head coach Trent Cassan were coming off an SJHL title the previous season and had some pretty good expectations heading into the new campaign with several returnees coming back.

"We knew that we had a bit of momentum from the previous season but we also knew that it was a new season and we knew we needed to continue to work hard to put it all together to make it all work," said then Terriers General Manager Don Chesney. 

The Terriers finished the regular season with a league-best 81 points and then dispatched the Notre Dame Hounds & Humboldt Broncos in five games before sweeping their Highway 10 rivals the Melville Millionaires to capture their 2nd straight league title. 

After capturing the Western Canada Cup title, the franchise earned their fifth-ever berth in the National Championship.

The Terriers got a wake-up call in Game One of the event dropping a decision to the Toronto Lakeshore Patriots before they went on a roll earning themselves a berth in the National Final. against the Carleton Place Canadians. 

After killing off a late penalty, Yorkton still trailed 3-1 with three minutes remaining before Tanner Lischynsky and Dylan Johnson scored goals just eight seconds apart to keep them alive and force overtime. 

 "It was an exceptional comeback no question and to say we were able to tie it up like that late it was just meant to be, Chesney added. 

Then 15:01 into the extra period, Derek Falloon scored his second overtime goal in four days,  to complete the Terriers’ comeback and give Yorkton its first-ever national Junior A championship.

 "I just remember I won the face-off back, and we got a shot on goal & the rebound came out and I walked it and tried to jam it through and I don't think it even went all the way to the back of the net but it went in," Falloon said reflecting on his OT winner. 

 Audio with Don Chesney below: 

bennywalchuk2 · Ches- Terriers RBC (May 6 2024)

2014 Post Game with Derek Falloon

bennywalchuk2 · Falloon RBC Cup Post- May 18

2014 Post Game with Chase Norrish 

bennywalchuk2 · Chase Norrish- RBC post

2014 RBC Cup Winning Goal Call 

bennywalchuk2 · RBC Winning Goal - May 18

Melville's Severson to suit up for Team Canada at 2024 IIHF Men's Worlds

Hockey Canada has announced the 22 players that will don the Maple Leaf at the 2024 IIHF Men's World Championship in Ostrava and Prague, Czechia.

Among those selected is Melville product Damon Severson of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

This will be the second time that Severson has suited up for the Canadian squad after he helped them win a silver medal in the 2022 event.

"It's a great feeling, anytime you get asked to represent Canada it's special and lets hope we can bring home the gold this time around," Severson said.

The 29-year-old compiled nine goals, 19 assists for 28 points in 68 games this past season with Blue Jackets. 

Jones & Winkler Flyers capture 2024 MJHL Turnbull Cup title, first since 1998

PISTONS 4, FLYERS 5 (OT) 

For the first time since 1998 the Winkler Flyers are champions of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. 

Zach Nicolas scored his 6th of the playoffs on the powerplay with 4:59 gone in overtime to lead the Winkler Flyers to a 5-4 Game 4 win over the Steinbach Pistons to complete the four-game sweep of the MJHL Turnbull Cup Final on Saturday night.  

"It's pretty surreal honestly to win it all, and I think it was a really close series, but in the end I think it was our desire that helped us pull it out in the end," former Swan Valley Stampeders & Flyers forward Jakob Jones said. 

Jones acquired in a trade from Swan Valley in a December trade after scoring 46 goals, 58 assists in 96 career games as a Stampeders.

"I'm very appreciative of my time with Swan, I have a lot of great memories from the there and great people I met," Jones added. 

Fellow Stampeder alumni Justin Falk is the Head Coach & GM, and Grandview product Jayce Leegaarden are also members of the Flyers who've advanced to the 2024 Centennial Cup National Junior A Hockey Championships 



Full Audio with Jakob Jones: 

 

bennywalchuk2 · JAKOB JONES- WINKLER (April 29th)