Questions To Be Answered

Another SJHL season is just over the horizon and with that in mind it is time to look at all 12 teams and see what is in store for them.

Weyburn Red Wings - Is Kyle McConnell capable of handling a bulk of the work between the pipes this season?

My thoughts are yes he can. Although he maybe looked a bit shaky in his first few starts in red and white last year, Kyle quickly quieted the naysayers in the later part of the season and into the playoffs and at times was downright spectacular. The Fort McMurray, Alberta native will have some healthy competition in camp which should only help him bring his game to the next level.

Estevan Bruins - Rumors from Estevan are that Guillaume Perusse will not be back in the black and gold this year. If that is the truth, will newly acquired Karsten Felske be able to handle the work?

Felske had a good midget career with the Prince Albert Mintos of the SMAAAHL and last year found himself as the odd man out in Nipawin behind Derek Kleinsteuber and Danny Gagne. After being moved to the MJHL's Winkler Flyers, he left after only one appearance and did not play in the second half of the season last year. Will he be able to work off the rust? Time will tell.

Notre Dame Hounds - Will the youth movement in Notre Dame allow them to qualify for the postseason in 2007-08?

Mike Vandenberghe cleaned house this offseason with the likes of Alexandre Angers-Goulet, Kyle Kvisle, and Jori Dean being moved out. The Hounds will be playing with a team full of 17 and 18 year olds and will be in tough in the Sherwood Conference.

Melville Millionaires - Will the Mils be able to overcome the loss of MVP goaltender Anthony Heuer and last year's leading scorer Daniel Moriarty?

The Mils have enough offensive talent that I believe they will overcome the loss of Moriarty - particularly because they have replaced him with a good player in his own right - Daniel Hope. In goal, the Mils believe Kyle Cantlon will be able to lead them to the promise land. Cantlon spent last season with the Marathon Renegades in Ontario. Curtis Timmerman will likely return as the backup tender.

Yorkton Terriers - Will Carter Smith return to the Terriers?

Smith was very impressive after joining the Terriers from the WHL's Everett Silvertips last season. In my opinion he was the best Terrier from the time of his arrival through to the end of the season. Smith will be in camp with the Silvertips this year to give it one more try at the WHL.

Kindersley Klippers - Will goaltender Ryan Nieszner take his game to the next level?

The Klippers have a great young team led by Nieszner and may be on the cusp of something great. With the likes of gifted forward Brett Leedahl and defenseman Scott Linnell, this team could surprise a lot of people this year. Nieszner is a former Regina Pats prospect who was highly touted but never panned out in major junior. He was steady for the Klippers last season but will be expected to play even better in 2007-08.

Battlefords Stars - Is this a rebuilding season in Battlefords?

Gary Clark will have a young team this year as a lot of players have moved on. Gone are Mitch Woods, Darren Delainey, Fraser Allan and Andrew Szmata just to name a few. In my opinion this could be the first time in quite awhile that the Stars miss the playoffs.

La Ronge Ice Wolves - Will this team be able to take the next step in the postseason?

When the Ice Wolves hired Bob Beatty they knew they had hired a coach with a great resume and a RBC ring on his finger. Can he have the same success in La Ronge that he had in Humboldt? The jury is still out but all signs point to yes. Jonathan Jobin proved last year that he was the real deal and the Wolves have some great offensively skilled players like Jordie Johnston, Everette Lerner and Codie Pederson. Ice Wolves fans should be treated to an exciting brand of hockey this year.

Nipawin Hawks - How will the Hawks fare under new head coach Dave Hrysky?

Although Hrysky is new to the SJHL, he has a good coaching resume and has coached professional hockey in Europe for a number of years. He has a solid nucleus on goal with the return of Derek Kleinsteuber and Danny Gagne. Redvers product Blair Toms returns to anchor the defense and Torrie Dyck and Rejean Carriere amongst others will be expected to provide the offensive punch. The Hawks should be in the mix in the Itech conference.

Melfort Mustangs - Will the Stangs overcome the loss of high scoring forwards Kurtis Astle and Andrew Wasmuth, and the departure of defenseman Dillin Stonehouse?

The Mustangs will not score as many goals as they did last season. However, Taylor Watt returns and will be expected to produce big numbers again. Last year Robi Cavallari and David Ritz shared the goaltending duties. Will Ritz be able to take the job and run with it this season?

Humboldt Broncos - Can the Broncos repeat as SJHL champions?

Frankly, I think they just might. Although Brady Heintz and Nathan Heinen are graduated, a good chunk of last years offense remains and Taylor Nelson is no slouch in goal. If Nelson can provide steady goaltending and the likes of Schindel, Schroeder(s), and Benjamin can produce the offense, it could be another great season in Humboldt. Brady Wacker and Matt Rintoul anchor an experienced defense crew.

Flin Flon Bombers - How will the Bombers respond to young coach Mike Reagan?

On paper the Bombers look pretty good but as we all know you don't win games on paper. Dennis Kubat, Pierre - Luc Boucher and Dustyn Clegg will be leaned on to provide scoring. A full season from Riel Thomson and the addition of Jean-Sebastien Bergeron should help solidify the defense. Calvin Bartel and Carsen Chubak should provide solid goaltending. My feeling is the Bombers will return to the postseason this year.

This and that - Former Weyburn Red Wing star Mark Hartigan has signed on with the Detriot Red Wings for the upcoming season. "Harts" was part of the Anaheim Ducks Stanley Cup champion team last season .... Former Melville Millionaire Chris Kunitz signed a four year contract extension with the Ducks yesterday. The Regina native solidified himself on the Ducks top line last season.... Former Melfort Mustang forward Ruslan Fedotenko signed a free agent contract with the New York Islanders recently. Fedotenko won a Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2004.... Former Nipawin Hawks head coach Hardy Sauter was recently named an assistant coach with the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL. Hardy spent his final year of junior hockey with the Chiefs....Former Kindersley Klippers head coach Dave Hunchak will be the head coach of the Moose Jaw Warriors this season. Hunchak will be assisted by former Notre Dame Hounds head coach Rene Lemire.

Wings World - Training camp starts Friday August 31 at the Colosseum. Fans are welcome to attend the workouts and intrasquad games. The annual Red and White game will be played on Sunday September 2 at 7:30 PM. The Wings first game against another opponent will be on Tuesday, September 4 when the Estevan Bruins are in town. The puck drops at 7:30.
I would like to also thank Troy Kramm of Weyburn This Week for his hard work on this website. We will do our best to keep you all updated throughout the 2007-08 season. Troy and myself will be regularly contributing to this site and we hope that you will enjoy.

- Brad M.