Melville Millionaires acquire KIJHL top goalie Kael Svenson from Sicamous Eagles

The Melville Millionaires have added a piece to their crease, acquiring 2006-born goaltender Kael Svenson from the Sicamous Eagles (KIJHL) in exchange for a player development fee.

The 18-year-old Calgary native was named the KIJHL’s Top Goaltender for 2024–25 after posting a 15-4-2 record, .941 save percentage, and 2.40 goals-against average with the Eagles.

Svenson made an immediate impact in Sicamous, winning six straight starts after joining midseason from the AJHL’s Whitecourt Wolverines.

Prior to his junior career, he spent two seasons with the Calgary U18 AAA Buffaloes in the Alberta Elite Hockey League.

Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League releases 2025/26 schedule

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League has unveiled its 2025-26 regular season schedule, with action set to begin Friday, September 19, 2025.

All 12 teams will hit the ice on opening weekend, with 11 of them hosting home openers on September 19 or 20

The Melville Millionaires will kick off the 2025-26 season with a home-and-home series against the Estevan Bruins, beginning with their home opener on September 19.

The Yorkton Terriers also open their schedule that night, visiting the Weyburn Red Wings, before hosting Weyburn in their own home opener on September 20.

This season marks the debut of the Warman Wolverines, replacing the Notre Dame Hounds. The Wolverines begin their inaugural SJHL season at home against the Humboldt Broncos on opening night. Another change sees the La Ronge Ice Wolves moving their home games to the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre, replacing the Mel Hegland Uniplex.

“We’re 86 days from puck drop, and excited to deliver quality hockey to our fans, players, communities, and sponsors,” said SJHL Commissioner Kyle McIntyre. 

The SJHL will once again operate under a three-division format:

• Division 1: Weyburn Red Wings, Yorkton Terriers, Melville Millionaires, Estevan Bruins

• Division 2: Flin Flon Bombers, Nipawin Hawks, Melfort Mustangs, La Ronge Ice Wolves

• Division 3: Warman Wolverines, Humboldt Broncos, Kindersley Klippers, Battlefords North Stars

As part of the league’s partnership with FloHockey, every exhibition, regular season, and playoff game will be streamed live and on demand.

Key event dates and playoff details will be announced in the coming weeks.

Full league and team schedules are available at sjhl.ca.

What did the Melville Millionaires and Yorkton do at the 2025 SJHL Draft?

The Melville Millionaires came away with a deep and promising haul at the 2025 SJHL Draft, using a mix of early and mid-round picks to secure both offensive firepower and steady defensive talent.

The club made 10 selections in both the 2009 and 2010-born age groups, aiming to stock the pipeline with homegrown Saskatchewan talent ready to develop into future contributors.

Melville kicked off their 2010-born draft class by targeting high-scoring forwards from U15 AA leagues:

• 1st Round (8th overall): Louis Judd (Saskatoon Stallions) — A dynamic scorer, Judd lit up the scoresheet with 23 goals and 35 points in just 16 games
  
  

• 2nd Round (20th overall): Carter Wiggins (Saskatoon Stallions) — A dual-threat forward who put up 27 goals and 52 points in 28 games, Wiggins adds offensive depth and creativity.
  
  

• 2nd Round (24th overall): Alan Han (Regina Aces) — One of the top producers in U15 AA, Han recorded 27 goals and 44 points in only 22 games, bringing a goal-scorer’s touch.
  
  

With the 2009 class, the Millionaires focused on building through the middle — selecting forwards, defencemen, and a goaltender to solidify their future core.

• 1st Round (8th overall): Luke Pratte (Prairie Hockey Academy U17 Prep) — A smart, skilled forward who racked up 35 points in CSSHL play.
  
  

• 1st Round (20th overall): Braden Koehler (Saskatoon Crunch U18 AAA — A mobile, puck-moving defenceman who tallied 33 points in 33 games, providing an offensive boost from the blue line.
  
  

• 3rd Round (32nd overall): Kaleb Page (Moose Jaw Warriors U18 AAA) — The Whitewood native posted 10 wins and a .889 save percentage in net, offering solid goaltending depth.
  
  

• 3rd Round (34th overall): Kadyn Olfert (Moose Jaw Warriors U18 AA) — A dependable defenceman who contributed 18 points from the back end.
  
  

• 3rd Round (35th overall): Brodie Bowen (Regina Pat Canadians) — A two-way forward with grit and work ethic, Bowen adds versatility to Melville’s future forward group.
  
  

• 4th Round (44th overall): Rhett Amberson (Regina Vics U18 AA) — Had a breakout year with 18 goals and 48 points in 38 games, showing strong offensive instincts.
  
  

5th Round (56th overall): Ryder Leshures (Swift Current Broncos U18 AA) — A steady defender who posted 10 assists in 32 games, bringing physicality and composure to the defensive core.

Mils Head Coach & GM Doug Johnson recaps the draft below:

bennywalchuk2 · Doug- Mils Draft 2025 (Jun 10, 2025)

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The Yorkton Terriers added skill, size, and depth at all positions during the 2025 SJHL Draft, selecting a promising group of 2009- and 2010-born players from across Saskatchewan.

With a strong focus on regional talent and proven producers at the U15 and U18 levels, the Terriers made key moves to build their future core.

Yorkton used their early picks in the 2010-born class to secure a pair of standout players from the Regina U15 AA circuit:

• 1st Round (9th overall): Nash Bullman (Regina Pat Blues) — A powerful offensive force, Bullman racked up 44 points (23G, 21A) in just 27 games, showing a balanced scoring touch and playmaking vision.
• 2nd Round (21st overall): Kai Lanigan (Regina Aces) — A dynamic defenceman who tallied 10 goals and 24 assists.

The Terriers continued their momentum with a strong showing in the 2009 draft class, selecting impact players across all positions:

• 1st Round (9th overall): Trae Peterson (Sturgis, SK/Swift Current Legionnaires) — A dynamic forward with high-end offensive instincts, Peterson totaled 40 points in 31 U18 AAA games.
• 2nd Round (21st overall): Kyler Bilokreli (Theodore, SK/Yorkton Maulers) — A reliable, two-way forward with hometown ties, Bilokreli brings grit and experience to the organization.
• 2nd Round (24th overall): Maxon Johnston (Round Lake, SK/Moose Jaw Warriors U18 AAA) — A steady contributor with 25 points at the U18 AAA level.
• 3rd Round (33rd overall): Seth Gutenberg (Saskatoon/Warman Wildcats) — A poised goaltender with solid numbers, posting a 3.13 GAA and a .883 save percentage in 18 U18 AAA starts.
• 4th Round (45th overall): Brady Vipond (Regina Capitals) — A proven scorer, Vipond netted 22 goals and added 14 assists for 36 points
• 5th Round (57th overall): Kohen Oblander (Martensville Marauders) — A smart, creative defender , Oblander contributed 23 points with strong playmaking ability.

      6th Round (69th overall): Hazen Larson (Tisdale, SK) — A balanced offensive talent who recorded 33 points in 32 games with the Martensville Marauders U16 AA squad.

Local medalists at the 2025 SHSAA Provincial Track & Field Championships in Moose Jaw

 

Student-athletes from across the province were in Moose Jaw this past Friday and Saturday for the 2025 Saskatchewan High School Track and Field Championships, held at Gutheridge Field. Locally, an impressive haul of medals was captured.

Kipling’s Shayla Byrnell led the way with a gold medal in Intermediate Girls High Jump and a bronze in Triple Jump, while Melville’s Ava Delainey claimed double gold in the Wheelchair Girls 100m and 400m.

Yorkton Regional High School celebrated a banner weekend as Piper Beatty won gold in the Senior Girls Tetrathlon, and Colby Halliday took gold in the Senior Boys Triple Jump and silver in the Long Jump. Teammate Hunter Nagy earned silver in the Senior Boys 100m, and East Central also secured silver in the Senior Boys 4x100m relay.

Other gold medal winners included:

• Sawyer Sawchuk (Churchbridge) – Intermediate Boys Javelin
• Amber Spray (Preeceville) – Junior Girls Javelin
• Brayden Romanson (Ituna) – Intermediate Boys Long Jump
• Dane Peterson (Carlyle) – Senior Boys Shot Put
• Isabelle Chabun (Canora) – Intermediate Girls Discus
  
  

Romanson also captured silver in the Triple Jump, while Moosomin’s Luke Holman grabbed silver in both the Senior Boys 1500m and 3000m.

Additional silver medal performances came from:

• Abbey Norek (Esterhazy) – Senior Girls Discus
• Wyatt Dubiel (Melville Comprehensive) – Junior Boys Javelin
• Camryn Nelson (Preeceville) – Senior Girls Shot Put
• Max Threinen (Langenburg) – Senior Boys Shot Put
  
  

Nelson also took home bronze in Senior Girls Discus, rounding out a solid championship showing.

Josh Tripp named full-time head coach and general Manager of Swan Valley Stampeders

The Swan Valley Stampeders have officially removed the interim tag from Josh Tripp’s title, announcing on Tuesday that he will take on the role of full-time Head Coach and General Manager of the team moving forward.

Tripp, a former standout player for the Stampeders, has quickly made his mark behind the bench. After stepping in mid-season as interim head coach, Tripp guided the team with energy, leadership, and a deep understanding of the Stampeders' culture. His efforts revitalized the locker room, bringing a renewed sense of purpose and identity to the team.

"We're excited to officially welcome Josh as the full-time Head Coach and GM," said Stampeders President Evan Morden, "His passion for the game, dedication to player development, and connection to this community make him the ideal person to lead this organization."

A native of Swan River, Tripp played several seasons with the Stampeders in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) and later returned to the organization in a coaching capacity. 

“I’m excited to return for another season behind the bench,” said Tripp. “I am super excited for the direction the team is heading. I expect to return an unbelievable group of players from last season, we have signed some very talented young guys and we saw a very high level of players in the spring camp. We are going to be competitive from day one and I think all the fans have a lot to look forward to."

The Stampeders also announced that Darren Webster will remain with the team as Assistant General Manager, while the club says they are actively searching for a new Assistant Coach. 

Interested applicants are to submit a cover letter, resume, and references to Head Coach Josh Tripp at coach@stampedershockey.com.

Yorkton Terriers graduating forward Carter Briltz commits to SAIT Trojans

The Yorkton Terriers are proud to announce that graduating forward Carter Briltz has committed to the SAIT Trojans men's hockey program for the 2025–26 season.

The 20-year-old Regina native enjoyed a career-best season with the Terriers in 2024–25, tallying 10 goals and 25 assists for 35 points over 55 regular-season games.

His performance earned him the team’s "Unsung Hero" award, recognizing his consistent two-way play and contributions beyond the scoresheet. 

Before joining the Terriers, Briltz suited up in 93 career games with the Western Hockey League’s Victoria Royals.

The Trojans are coming off a strong 2024–25 campaign, finishing second in the regular season and reaching the semifinals.

Team Manitoba sweeps Male & Female division Golds at 2025 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships

Team Manitoba achieved a remarkable feat at the 2025 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC), securing gold medals in both the men's and women's U18 divisions. The tournament was held from May 5 to 10 in Kamloops, British Columbia

Men’s U18 Championship

 

In the men's final, Swan River’s Trace Langan opened the scoring while Waywayseecappo Wolverine forward Mikey Thomas, Carter Haney also scored to lead Team Manitoba to a 4-2 win over Team Alberta.

Swan River product and Swan Valley Stampeder Head Coach Josh Trip was the Head Coach of Team Manitoba, while Wolverines’ defenceman Gage Sutherland was also a member of the Manitoba squad.

In the Male Bronze medal game, Yorkton’s Cameron Allard had one goal, three assists while Whitewood’s Hudson Brehaut also scored to lead Saskatchewan to a 6-4 win over Ontario.

bennywalchuk2 · Josh Tripp - NAHC GOLD (May 12, 2025)

Women’s U18 Championship

The Manitoba Female laso delivered an impressive performance, defeating Team British Columbia 2–0 in the gold medal match.

Elkhorn’s Kirby Gray was a member of the championship team.

Team Saskatchewan also captured the Bronze medal on the Female side with a 4-2 victory over Team Ontario. 

The NAHC serves as a premier platform for Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) U18 hockey players across Canada, offering high-level competition and opportunities for cultural exchange.