BY Jonathan Huntington
SASKATOON – After two weeks of the regular season, we take you inside each team to look at their leadership group and early-season outlook.
Battlefords Stars
Record: 2-2-1
Leadership Group: Lukamus Lehman, Millar Kramer, Kaiden Sperle, Corbin Nieman
Coach Comments: “We have a good hockey club. We are fast up-front and our defence is solid and tough to play against,” said Head Coach Martin Smith.
Quick Hit: The Stars have only given up more than three goals against in one game this year.
Estevan Innovex Bears
Record: 1-5
Leadership Group: Gunner Moore, Kayson Anderson, Brendan Jones, DJ Brass, Boston Schmidt
Coach Comments: “We have impactful players in our lineup that are pushing the bus in both practices and games. That will lead to our new players getting acclimated to the speed and level (of play),” said Ryan Pilon.
Quick Hit: Not the ideal start for the Bears, but there is a major respect through the league for coach Pilon.
Moose Jaw Winmar Warriors
Record: 3-0-1
Leadership Group: Wade Franks, Carson Park, Ryder Gilroy, Maxon Johnston
Coach Comments: “We like our group. We feel the experience they gained from last season (has made them) hungry to get started (this year). We are real excited (about) the players we added in the off-season, (too),” commented Trevor Weisgerber.
Quick Hit: In a heavy-weight match-up to start the year, Regina defeated Moose Jaw in OT yesterday. That’s the only blemish on the Warriors’ record so far.
Notre Dame Hounds
Record: 0-6
Leadership Group: Jacob Carroll, Simon Belik, Kai Bridgeman
Coach Comments: “With this being my first season as head coach of the Hounds I will expect some growing pains as we have 20 new faces on the squad,” said Casey O’Brien. “There will be an adjustment period for all of our players and staff as we will be establishing our standards and expectations with the team and playing at the high pace in the league. It is evident in our first few games of the season so far that we can play in the league but there is no margin for errors or inconsistency as all the teams in the league are good.”
Quick Hit: Early season bumps on the road are understandable with the new regime on the ice and on the bench in Wilcox.
Prince Albert Mintos
Record: 2-2
Leadership Group: Barret Berger and Liam Myhre
Coach Comments: “For the Mintos to start the year, we will be focusing on habits, systems and playing the right way. We have 16 rookies that need to learn how to find success in this league and understand how hard this league is,” said Dion Antisin.
Quick Hit: Connor Howe is playing in PA this fall, but not with the Mintos. He cracked the Prince Albert Raiders roster after five goals and seven points in the WHL pre-season.
Regina Pat Canadians
Record: 3-0
Leadership Group: Maddox Schultz and Liam Pue
Quick Hit: Schultz is the most-talked about player in the league – and showed why (again) yesterday with four goals, including a natural hat-trick in the second period. When the 15-year-old phenom is playing with the Pat Cs (and not the Regina Pats), he is worth the price of admission on his own.
Saskatoon Blazers
Record: 2-1
Leadership Group: Eric Grandberg. Aiden Wagner, Cooper Perrin, Tyson Medernach
Coach Comments: “The Blazers will look a little different this year compared to the last four years. We will be a little older, heavier and our skill set will be a little different. We return 11 players from last year,” stated Troy Walkington.
Quick Hit: Unfortunately for the Blazers, Kash Ringdal and Shaun Basran are both long-term injuries to start the season. Both will be a welcome addition when healthy.
Saskatoon Contacts
Record: 1-1
Leadership Group: Davey Fisher, Kohen Volk and Sam Lukenchuk
Coach Comments: “I’m excited to work with the group that’s been assembled over the off-season. We have a highly motivated locker room with a lot to prove this season,” said new bench boss Ryan Keller. “I think the players have been very receptive to learning the structure we are trying to put in place and taken huge strides already implementing that into our games. The leadership in our room will go a long way in driving our consistency and competitiveness, helping us play meaningful hockey late in the season with the goal of earning a playoff spot.”
Quick Hit: There is already quiet respect in the league for the job Keller is doing to build the team.
Swift Current Legionnaires
Record: 2-2
Leadership Group: Trae Peterson, Mason Fauser, Hunter Wilm
Coach Comments: “We are working on the details of our game: the way we play defensively, creating good habits and a consistent style of play. We are in the process of building those now,” explained Todd Hornung.
Quick Hit: Swift Current plays its first six games of the year on the road.
Tisdale Trojans
Record: 3-2
Leadership Group: Jackson Dunn, Wyatt Fleischhacker, Taren Erhardt
Coach Comments: “Our team will be a hard-working group that understands their roles. We will look for consistency in our efforts every night, as there are no easy games in this league,” remarked Wes Rudy.
Quick Hit: There is league-wide respect for the goaltending tandem in Tisdale.
Warman Wildcats
Record: 3-1
Leadership Group: Declan Borthwick, Sam Failler, Dade Wotherspoon
Coach Comments: “Our team this year is a good mix of experienced guys and first-year AAA players that will work hard. We should have a group that improves throughout the year. It will be a process to get on the same page and develop some consistency as we overcome some early injuries and suspensions,” said Courage Bear.
Quick Hit: Warman received a big boost with the return of Cash Arcand-Vandale, who potted two goals in his return to the line-up on Saturday.
Yorkton Maulers
Record: 3-2
Leadership Group: Ryland McConnell, Boston Melnyk, Meric Poncelet and Brodyn Pladson
Coach Comments: “I feel we’ve started the year strong, building our culture both in the community and on the ice,” said Jason Gordon. “Our group has really bought into what it takes to compete every day and they’ve shown resilience and work ethic from the opening puck drop. With that foundation in place, we’re excited to see this team grow and chase success together.”
Quick Hit: Yorkton plays 9 of its first 14 games at home.
