Millionaires project to record profit from 2023/24 season; Hope named new team President

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’ Melville Millionaires held its annual general meeting last Thursday, bringing about some changes and promising financial news.

From the meeting it was announced that Daniel Hope is stepping in as the new President after serving as Director of Hockey Operations last season.

"I am thrilled to take on this role and eager to lead our dedicated board members to keep Millionaires’ hockey strong today and for years to come," Hope shared. 

With a rich history as a former player and captain for the Millionaires during the 2008/09 season, Hope takes over from Tammy Stevenson, who led the club since 2020.

"I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Tammy for her exceptional leadership. Her vision has left an incredible mark on our organization, and the progress made under her tenure is truly commendable," Hope added. "I have learned so much from her, and we are all deeply appreciative of her accomplishments."

The 2023/24 season was stellar for the Millionaires under Head Coach & GM Doug Johnson, capturing a Viterra Division title and making the postseason for the first time in five years.

Off the ice, the team also thrived, thanks to the entire board, volunteers, and especially the unwavering support of local fans and the business community.

"While our financial audit is still underway, we predict a profit of around $80,000, with revenues of $980,000 against $900,000 in expenses," Hope noted.

Financial wins for the Millionaires included $162,000 from 50/50 sales, $70,000 from a successful cash lotto, and around $85,000 in bar revenues.

The Millionaires are gearing up for the 2024/2025 SJHL season, starting with their Main Training Camp this weekend at the CN Community Center.

2024/25 Millionaires Board of Directors:

Daniel Hope - President

Renee Waldbauer - 1st Vice President

Kevin Kirkwood – 2nd Vice President

Dawn Melynchuk – Governor

Lindsey Pringle – Secretary

Len Wassill – Alumni & Education Liaison

Ryan Kienas – Director

Brandon Peet – Director

Travis Lutz – Director

Bren Forbes – Director

Darci Mann – Director

Wolverines name Tayler Thompson as Asst. Coach for 2024/25 MJHL season

The MJHL’s Waywayseecappo Wolverines are thrilled to introduce Tayler Thompson as the team’s new assistant coach for the 2024-25 season.
A native of Bredenbury, Thompson brings a wealth of playing experience, including three seasons with the Orlando Solar Bears in the East Coast Hockey League.
After wrapping up his pro career two seasons ago with the Manchester Storm in the UK’s Elite Ice Hockey League, Thompson is now ready to share his expertise as a coach.
During his impressive junior career, he played 159 games with the SJHL’s Yorkton Terriers, capturing two league titles and a National Junior A title in 2014.
“We’re excited to add Tayler to the coaching staff,” said Wolverines Head Coach and General Manager  Landyn Cochrane. “He fits perfectly with what we’re building here and brings a tremendous amount of playing experience to the table.”
The Wolverines kick off their 2024 Main camp next Thursday (Aug. 29th) at the Waywayseecappo Arena Complex. 

Yorkton Terriers report profit: Elect new President at 2024 Annual General Meeting

Just over forty people attended the SJHL’s Yorkton Terriers' 2024 annual general meeting last night in the National Bank A Room at the Gallagher Center.

During the meeting, Curtis Malysh was announced as the new President, succeeding Corvyn Neufeld, who decided not to seek re-election.

"I’m honored by the opportunity. I have big shoes to fill with Corvyn stepping down, but I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead to continue making Terriers’ hockey strong for years to come," Malysh said.

The Terriers recently missed the 2024 playoffs under the first-year guidance of Head Coach & General Manager Emery Olauson, finishing with a record of 21-30-2-3.

Earlier this year, the Terriers admitted to experiencing a financial crisis due to inconsistent fundraising efforts and a loss of revenue from season cancellations caused by the pandemic.

However, the evening showed signs of improvement as the financials revealed a profit of $149,439 for the fiscal year ending May 31st, 2024.

"It was a profitable fiscal year, which is great. A lot of that came from our season ticket blitz, with the money deferred to this season, along with a couple of one-time payments, including an $80,000 grant from the City of Yorkton and around $40,000 from the RBC Community Fund. We would still show a profit of about $30,000 from the 2023/24 season," said Terriers Treasurer Jason De Ruyck.

"We hope to continue the momentum from this spring with a couple more fundraisers, including the Ag Project and a Ladies' Night in the fall. We are in a much better place financially than we were a few months ago," added Malysh.

The Terriers will kick off their training camp for the 2024/25 SJHL season on Friday, August 30th, at the Westland Insurance Arena.

Terriers 2024/25 Terriers Board of Directors:

President - Curtis Malysh (2nd of 2 year term)

Vice President - Pat Koskie (1st of 2 year term)

Secretary - John Collins (1st of 1 year term)

Treasurers - Jason DeRuyck (1st of 2 year term) and Sarah Nelson (1st of 2 year term)

Governor - Grant Ottenbreit (2nd of 2 year term)

Alternate Governor - John Anderson

Kurt Karcha (1st of 2 year term)

Chad Holinaty (2nd of 2 year term)

Scott Hoffart (1st of 2 year term)

Josh Garbutt (1st of 2 year term)

Ed Witherspoon (1st of 1 year term)

Chat with new Terrier President Curtis Malysh below: 

bennywalchuk2 · Curtis Malysh - TERRIERS (AUG 20)

Millionaires acquire 19 year old forward Knittig from Selkirk (MJHL)

  

The SJHL's Melville Millionaires have acquired another veteran forward to add to their roster for 2024/25 season.

The club has picked up 19 year old forward Edward Knittig from the Selkirk Steelers (MJHL) for a player development fee. 

The Annaheim, Saskatchewan product had six goals, 13 assists for 19 points in 43 games with the Steelers this past season. 

Knittig is no stranger to the parkland region have played the 2022/23 campaign with the Yorkton U18 AAA Maulers, where compiled 19 goals and 35 points in 44 games. 

The Mils will kick off their training camp on Friday, Aug 30th at the CN Community Centre. 

Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL) complete a pair of trades

The Swan Valley Stampeders have bolstered their forward lineup with two trades.

First up, they've acquired 2004-born forward Jacob Lamoureux from the Kirkland Lake Gold Miners (NOJHL) for a player development fee.

Hailing from Sherwood Park, Alberta, Lamoureux tallied 23 goals and 11 assists for 34 points in 50 games with the Miners and the MJHL’s Neepawa Titans last season.

Additionally, the Stampeders have secured 19-year-old forward Carter Nailen from the Kam River Fighting Walleye of the Superior International Junior Hockey League, also for a player development fee.

From Surrey, BC, Nailen netted 9 goals, 22 assists, and racked up 92 penalty minutes in 36 games last season.

The Stampeders kick off their Fall training camp at the end of the month at Swan River Centennial Arena and will open their preseason on September 1st against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.

Whitewood's Hamilton captures 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Gold in Edmonton

It was a golden weekend for a couple of Saskatchewan hockey players.

Whitewood’s Reese Hamilton and Macklin’s Cole Reschny, alongside Team Canada, clinched gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, defeating Czechia 2-1 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, marking their 25th career win at the event.

 “It’s always an honor to wear the maple leaf but coming together as a group and earning the gold at the end makes it even more special,” said Hamilton.

 Forwards Liam Kilfoil and Caleb Desnoyers each scored in the first period, while goaltender Jack Ivankovic made 18 saves and was named player of the match for Canada.

 Hamilton, who was also on the roster of the Canadian team that won this past spring’s IIHF Men’s Under-18 hockey championships in Finland, remarked that achieving this victory on home soil was even more special.

 “They were both great experiences, but you know what, I didn’t get as much of an opportunity there as I did this time around. To do it in front of family and friends is something I won’t forget,” added Hamilton.

Macklin’s Cole Reschny led the Canadian squad in scoring with three goals and four assists for seven points in five games, while Hamilton was a defensive stalwart on the blue line but did not record any points in the tournament.

With this win, Canada became the first team to hit the quarter-century mark, with no active team winning more than once.

This is also Canada’s third straight championship, while Czechia has five medals to their credit since 2014.

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Audio with Reese Hamilton below: 

bennywalchuk2 · Reese Hamilton - Team Canada HGC (Aug 12, 2024)

Carlyle’s Lequyer captures annual Deer Park “Blue Owl” in Yorkton

One of the most highly anticipated events of the season took place over the weekend at Deer Park Municipal Golf Course in Yorkton.

The annual Legacy Co-op Blue Owl, hosted by Deer Park Men’s Club, saw 91 golfers tee off in a thrilling tournament at Deer Park Golf Course. 

 Carlyle’s Dallas Lequyer dominated the event and clinched the championship flight with impressive rounds of 69 and 68, securing a five-shot victory over Yorkton’s Kade Johnson. 

 Rick Hallberg of Weyburn and Ashley Straightnose of Keesekoose rounded out the championship flight, finishing in third and fourth places respectively. 

 In the Senior division, Melville golfer Bill Lummerding emerged victorious.

—

Full Results: (Order is 1 through 4 finishers in each flight)

Championship Flight

1. Dallas Lequyer  (Carlyle) 69 – 68 = 137
   2. Kade Johnson   (Yorkton) 69 – 73 = 142
   3. Rick Hallberg (Weyburn) 73 – 70 = 143
   4. Ashley Straightnose (Keesekkoose) 69 – 75 = 144
   
   First Flight

Emmitt Driscoll
Jay Thiessen (count back)
Nic Chartier
Jason Klemenz

Second Flight

Brock Zapshalla
Trent Szabo
Jamie Holodniuk
Mark Bell


Third Flight

Zac Walker
Dylan Johnson
Curtis Roussin
Doug Jones

Fourth Flight

Curtis Spelay
Ken Burton
Dylan Ferridge (count back)
Joel Winslow

Fifth Flight

Nathan Matechuk
Sean Patterson
Curtis Pelletier
Brayden Oystrick
 

Sixth Flight

Darrin Clinton
Neal Matechuk (count back)
Bryan Krueger
Ian Yaholnitsky

Seventh Flight

Tim Roussin
Tyler Wegner
Adam Korb
Jason Reminek

Seniors Division

Bill Lummerding
Greg Nixon
Mike Janssen
Lorne Brown

Waywayseecappo Wolverines name Cochrane new Head Coach & General Manager

The Waywayseecappo Wolverines of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League have announced their new bench boss.

The Chief and Council of the Waywayseecappo First Nation and the Wolverines organization have appointed Landyn Cochrane as the team’s sixth Head Coach and General Manager in its history.

The 27-year-old from Silverton, Manitoba, served as an assistant coach last year under Taylor Harnett, who resigned from the team after seven years back in July.

“Continuity is vital for us moving forward”, said Wolverines’ Governor Morley Watson. “Landyn is local, deeply involved in community events, works as a substitute teacher at the local school, and frequently attends community activities.”

Cochrane played for the Wolverines from 2014 to 2017 before spending five seasons with the ACHA’s Minot State Beavers before beginning his coaching career last season.

“It’s a great honor to be the new coach of the Wolverines”, Cochrane shared. “Taylor made the transition seamless for me after learning from him this past year. It feels fitting to be back in Waywayseecappo after spending most of my junior career here. It’s always felt like a second home.”

The new Head Coach will lead the Wolverines onto the ice for the start of training camp on August 29th.

Solid performance for Parkland Valley at 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games

An impressive showing for Parkland Valley during last month’s Saskatchewan Summer Games in Lloydminster.

Parkland Valley proudly finished fourth in the medal standings, snagging seven gold, 13 silver, and 13 bronze medals – a remarkable total of 33 overall.

This performance highlights the dedication and hard work put in by the athletes and support teams, making the district exceptionally proud.

“It went really well, the host committee did a great job, and the athletes and coaches of our district performed admirably. We are very happy with how it went, increasing our placing from the last games,” said Parkland Valley Chef de Mission, Chelsey Johnson.

She added, “The enthusiasm and sportsmanship displayed by our team were truly outstanding, and it showcased the essence of what sportsmanship is all about.”

A significant portion of Parkland Valley’s success came from the canoe-kayak events, where the brother-sister duo Nathan and Lily Whitney shone brightly.

Their combined effort resulted in an astonishing 18 medals, underlining their exceptional talent and synergy in the sport.

In total, twenty-three communities from the Parkland Valley District were represented, including smaller towns like Grayson, Preeceville, Abernethy, Theodore, and Rhein, as well as larger hubs like Yorkton, Melville, Foam Lake, Esterhazy, Kamsack, and Canora.

The diverse representation brought a strong sense of unity and community spirit to the games, demonstrating the widespread talent across the district.

The 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games provided a wonderful platform for athletes to showcase their abilities and for communities to come together in support.

For a complete rundown of all the medals and results from the 2024 Saskatchewan Summer Games, be sure to check out www.saskgames.ca.


Chat with Parkland Valley Chef de Mission Chelsey Johnson below:

Terriers ink 2006-born defenceman from Wisconsin for 2024/25 season

The SJHL's Yorkton Terriers have announced another signing ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. 

The Terriers inked 2006-born defenceman Bryce Dahl out for Green Bay Wisconsin. 

"I am looking forward to playing hockey in front of a great fan base," Dahl said in the release. " I am excited to fulfill my role to the best of my ability to help the team win games."

Dahl had 11 points in 19 games on the blue line with Team Wisconsin of the UMHSEHL during the 2023/24 season. 

"He's a great kid, and great kid, we're very excited about Bryce coming to join our group this year," Terriers Head Coach & GM Emery Olauson said.