NEUGSIE’S AROUND THE RINKS

By: Jamie Neugebauer
Voice of the ND Hounds

1. Your weekly SJHL Hubdate (BREAKING NEWS): If there is an SJHL bubble/hub/thing this spring, I can confirm that it will be one hub (not two or three, as previously thought possible), in Weyburn, with Crescent Point Place as the host for 15 to 18 games per team. I can also confirm that the cost has significantly come down from the estimations made at the start of the process of building the scenario, in large part due to the great co-operation given to the committee by local businesses within Weyburn trying to help make this happen. According to my very good source, no teams involved will be putting their club’s future in jeopardy by playing, otherwise they would not have even considered it. I have also been assured that all the players potentially involved have been given the option to opt out without jeopardizing a spot next season as a result of that decision. It’s all still subject to government approval, but it all sounds so close, and appears as though what is left is the gritty details, and one very reliable source gave me a 75% that it would happen. So, take all that for what you will!
2. Couple huge kudos!: News came out Tuesday that Trinity Western University, one of the new men’s hockey programs set to join the Canadian University ranks next year, have committed to Humboldt Broncos forward Jarrett Penner, and former Melville Millionaires’ net minder Berk Berkeliev. Penner, 20, spent the first two years of his junior career with the Notre Dame Hounds, and I consider him a good friend; I am really thrilled for him and his family! Berkeliev, who is also 20, was made famous after a big hit delivered early last season by then Yorkton Terriers’ forward Greg Mulhall left him badly concussed. To me, the real story is that Berk recovered from that injury by November, went on to have a dominant season for the Mils, made the move to the North American Hockey League this year (where he has played 26 games and counting, by the way), and now has a University commitment. I have spoken with Berk a number of times, and he was coached by Hounds coach Brett Pilkington in Calgary minor hockey who I know agrees with me; he is just an outstanding human being. I could not be happier for these two fine young men, and know their high level of play heading in will stand them in good stead at the USports level, which is the most underrated and underappreciated level of hockey maybe in the whole world.
3. Bedard: He’s so good. Yes, he’ll get stronger, yes he’ll have to learn to play the heavier, harder minutes…that will come. I love the way he’s wired out there: so much confidence, such an instinct to attack, and know where to find the space to do it. We knew he had a release to haunt the dreams of goaltenders, we knew his ability to handle the puck at high speeds was special, we didn’t quite know that he could put all together this fast. He’s the real deal folks. Every time he hits the ice, he feels like he’s going to score. What a breath of fresh air. By the way, we also found out that he could dish when, with the Moose Jaw Warriors all over him on Regina power plays during Tuesday’s first Trans-Canada Clash of the Hub, he found the likes of Carson Denomie and Ryker Evans in acres of space time and again, and earned two assists in the contest.
4. The Regina Hub’s best rookie is…: Bedard, obviously…but after him, the Hub’s best rookie by a mile has been Moose Jaw’s 2004-born defenceman Denton Mateychuk. The 16-year-old, who was called up for seven games last year, has played huge minutes alongside team captain Daemon Hunt, and I would argue has been even better and more impactful all over the ice than his pro-experienced partner. Even though he’s only 5-foot-10, Mateychuk has not looked overmatched for a second in the defensive zone, and he breaks the puck out of his own end like he’s playing a video game on easy.
5. Thumbs up for Billy: While I feel Mateychuk has been the Warriors’ best all-around player so far, MJ head coach Mark O’Leary said post-game on Sunday that he believes that honour goes to goaltender Boston Bilous; well, we’re probably both right. Bilous, 20, stopped 46 of 50 in two one-goal wins at the Hub to earn the WHL Goaltender of the Week award for the week ending March 14 (you can catch my article on the award at the DUBNetwork here: https://www.dubnetwork.ca/eastern-division/warriors-bilous-earns-whl-goaltender-of-the-week-honours/). He also had a stint as an Estevan Bruin as loan to start this SJHL season, so there’s a connection for ya!
6. A championship? In hockey? They do that!?: Hey, someone won an actual, real hockey championship this past week! That’s right! The University of Wisconsin at Superior, with SJHL alums Charles Martin, Conor MacLean, Zach Bannister, and Troy Quinn in tow, won the NCAA Division III-level Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title Friday with a 3-2 win in the championship game over the University of Wisconsin at Steven’s Point. Martin and MacLean are Notre Dame Hounds and great pals of mine, so I’m extra happy for those guys!
7. Shout out to Kozi: The final three nominees for the NCAA’s Hockey Humanitarian Award, presented annually to U.S. college hockey’s ‘finest citizen for leadership in community service’ were announced a couple of weeks ago, and I have to shout out Union College’s Josh Kosack, one of the three finalists. I was the team broadcaster for the Oakville Blades Junior A the two years he played for his hometown club from 14-16, and he was nothing but a fierce competitor, and a smart one to boot! Nobody was deadlier in the league in tight in 15-16 than Josh! Here is the blurb directly from the NCAA’s website, as I could not put what Kozi has been up to better than they did: “Two years ago, a chance encounter with a teenage fan at an away game inspired Kosack to create “Kozi’s Kids,” an initiative that gives local Schenectady children a chance to experience a college hockey game – many for the first time. The program utilizes unused game tickets and concession vouchers from Union players. Kosack arranges for transportation, gives children a tour of the locker room before the game, and also answers questions about life as a college student-athlete. The nature of Kozi’s Kids changed dramatically this year due to the pandemic, but that did not stop Kosack from giving back to the community in different ways. Without hockey games to bring local children to this season, he singlehandedly raised more than $5,000 to purchase holiday presents for local children this past December. And in the same week that his team received word that its 2020-21 season was canceled, Josh delivered more than 100 coats to a Schenectady charity as part of a drive he initiated on campus.” Awesome!
8. Big 10 madness: I would be lying if I said I kept a very close eye on U.S. college hockey, with so much going on at the junior level, but how about a BIG10 final for the ages Tuesday night! Montreal Canadiens’ first rounder Cole Caufield, who has an absurd 48 points in 29 games this year for his Wisconsin Badgers (note: D1 NCAA is a notoriously hard level to put up big points) will take on Colorado Avalanche pick Sampo Ranta, and his workmanlike Minnesota Golden Gophers. UW boasts three of the nation’s Top 4 scorers, with Sabres’ prospect Linus Weissbach, and Oilers’ first-rounder Dylan Holloway also on that list. Minnesota has only a single player in the Top 20, though you can never quite call the Gophers the ‘David’ in a ‘David vs. Goliath’-type tilt! It isn’t far off though!
9. Dally’s book: Thrilled to say that my copy of Kaleb Dahlgren’s book ‘Crossroads: My Story of Tragedy and Resilience as a Humboldt Bronco’ has arrived, and I can’t wait to delve in. I read an excerpt already, and the book seems as well-written as Dahlgren’s story is compelling. Will report back! You can get it anywhere books are sold, including Amazing and Indigo.
10. What it’s like: I have lots of people reach out and ask me what it’s like inside the rink of the Regina Hub! Well, it’s probably what you imagine…almost nobody in the seats on the sides, a spattering of scouts and maximum six media at the ends, a physically distanced press-box, and some pretty good hockey on the ice. The organizers have done a masterful job making the necessary changes that fall within the health and safety guidelines, but that also are in no way distracting. I also think the Brandt Centre is an outstanding rink and I love it in there! Big-time shout out to Pats media guy Evan Daum, who has done an incredible job organizing a ton on the media side for everyone involved, as well as for his own club! Regina is lucky to have him!

(Follow Jamie on Twitter at @Neugsie)