Welcome to Monday Confidential, a column to start each week that focuses on the talent in the league – both on and off the ice.
Come here every Monday to learn insight from the insiders of the SMAAAHL – coaches, GMs, broadcasters. In many cases, we will not put names to sources, so that we can bring you an extra-level of insight.
This week, we look at the projected Top 3 teams to start the season as decided through an insiders’ poll. We asked more than a dozen coaches, GMs and broadcasters to rank their top three clubs at the beginning of the year.
To no surprise, Regina sits at the top of the list with every first-place vote except one. The interesting seedings come below the top spot.
Moose Jaw received the most second place votes, but Swift Current and Tisdale also second-place tallies.
Tisdale was the consensus third-place team in the rankings to start the year. Estevan, Warman, Swift Current and the Saskatoon Blazers also received third-place votes.
“Regina will be a top contender once again. When you win the Telus Cup, you’re the champion until someone unseats you,” said one insider.
“They returned an elite level forward in Maddox Schultz and added a top WHL prospect in Liam Pue. You win from the back end out and they will have three returning defenseman and a returning goaltender who were all a part of a championship run (last year).”
“Moose Jaw returns a large part of their core players from the 2024-25 season, a season where they finished second overall in the regular season and lost the League Championship. They will look to get off to a strong start and get to the next level.”
Added a coach: “Moose Jaw is experienced and has a deep forward core.”
Another coach remarked: “Moose Jaw is coached really well. And the Blazers are always in the top three (in the standings).”
Several insiders are high on Tisdale, for a variety of reasons.
“Tisdale will be tough. They play a physical game in a rink that’s hard to play in,” said one of our early-season pollsters. “They will have at least 12 returning players including both goaltenders. They also added a couple young offensive threats in Kash Elke and Camryn Aebig.”
More insight for a different bench boss: “The Tisdale Trojans are a veteran group backstopped by two outstanding 17-year-old goaltenders, giving them a strong foundation to contend.”
The poll also brought plenty of respect for the team that is building in Swift Current under Todd Hornung.
“Swift Current will have seven rookies in their lineup but only four of them are 2010 born players,” remarked one insider. “They return lots of offensive capabilities in Trae Peterson and added some veteran forwards who have experience in the league. Don’t sleep on Swift Current.
“And Estevan is a team that will continue to climb the ranks under Head Coach Ryan Pilon. They’re right on the cusp of moving up the standings.”
FINISH LINES: Showing the depth in the league to start the year, the Maulers and Stars also received a nod. “Honorable mentions to Yorkton and Battlefords for having strong pre-seasons, so they could both be teams that surprise,” said a coach.
