SMAAAHL alumni compete at Junior A World Challenge… Insiders Panel selects the Players of the Month… Early ratings from Flo Hockey…
BY Jonathan Huntington
SASKATOON – Seven SMAAAHL alumni were part of Team Canada West at the 2025 World Junior A Challenge in Quebec, which wrapped-up Saturday.
The United States defeated Team Canada West 5-1 in the gold medal game on Saturday night, with former Saskatoon Contact Rylan Hue notching an assist on the lone Canadian goal.
The Saskatchewan U18AAA league was represented by five players and two coaches on the Hockey Canada roster:
Luke Mckechnie – goalie: Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors, two seasons
Jaxon Herchak – defence: Warman Wildcats, two seasons
Thomas Ries – defence: Estevan Bears, two seasons
Tao Flory – defence: Saskatoon Contacts; Battlefords Stars, two seasons
Rylan Hue – forward: Saskatoon Contacts, two seasons
Trevor Blevins – head coach: Tisdale Trojans head coach 2011-12
Carter Hansen – video coach: Moose Jaw Generals, two seasons
Players of the Month: The Insiders Panel of coaches, managers and broadcasters selected the players of the month. Evan Hutcheon (photo at top/Wanda Harron Photography) was named the top goaltender as he leads the league in games played and is in the top 10 in save percentage with a 12-6 record. “Evan is a big reason why (Estevan) keeps winning,” said one opposing coach.
Jacob Tait was named forward of the month after an outstanding November with 23 points in nine games for the Tisdale Trojans. And Regina’s Ethan Young grabbed defenceman of the month honours for leading the league in scoring from the blue line. “He stands-out every night and plays a bigger role offensively when Liam Pue and Maddox Schultz aren’t in the line-up,” said a coach.
FINISH LINES: Early ratings from Flo Hockey show more than 1 million minutes of SMAAAHL game action was viewed on the streaming platform through the first 139 games. More than 21,000 viewers have consumed SMAAAHL games so far this season. The top teams in the early season rankings: Regina Pat Canadians, Estevan Bears and Saskatoon Blazers.
