BY Jonathan Huntington
SASKATOON – The SMAAAHL regular-season opens Wednesday night in Prince Albert with a much different feel to the league than last fall.
Gone are the stars of the epic playoff showdown between the Regina Pat Canadians and Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors. Maddox Schultz and Liam Pue – among many others – have left Regina. Steven Wawryk, Ryan Gibbs, Hudson Sayers and more have departed Moose Jaw.
It leaves so many interesting questions as we get set for another regular season in Canada’s elite U18AAA league.
- Can Regina win three straight league crowns?: While the Pat Cs are not going to be able to replace Schultz and Pue in the blink of an eye, they do have several key pieces returning for another run at a league title. Adam Muntain provides leadership in goal. Mahlon Wiley has five points in three pre-season games and could take a big step forward. Nathan Gardiner has returned from the WHL after 78 points in 44 games last year. And Rhett Amberson has joined the roster after 41 points in 44 games for the Estevan Innovex Bears last season.
- What happens between the pipes in Moose Jaw?: Wawryk is in Canmore (AJHL) and Kaleb Page – Wawryk’s understudy with an 11-3 record last year – is in Melville (SJHL). Goaltending was not an issue last year. There will be many eyes on the brand new pair of net minders this year: Trip Kuntz and Gavin Steeves.
- What does the re-load in Estevan look like?: Bears Head Coach Ryan Pilon will be looking at a much different picture on his bench to start the year. Gone are the top FIVE scorers from last year: Gunner Moore, Boston Schmidt, Dylan Brass, Ethan Boehm and Brendan Jones are all in the SJHL.
- How much better is Notre Dame this year?: Casey O’Brien faced the most difficult task in the league last year. He was a new head coach with all 20 players being new to the league. It’s a much different story today with several players entering a second year – and O’Brien has a full season under his belt.
- Can Yorkton change the channel to start the season?: There are several positive signs in Yorkton to start the year. Josh Garbutt has enjoyed a full off-season to prepare after taking the reins halfway through last year. And off the ice, the Maulers have also improved their dressing room facilities. Yorkton ended last year without a regulation win in their final 29 games. It’s important to start the year with victories and new topics of conversation!
