NEUGSIE’S AROUND THE RINKS
By: Jamie Neugebauer
Voice of the ND Hounds
1. Our new commish: The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League announced its incoming commissioner this past week, as Swift Current resident, and Saskatoon native Kyle McIntyre will work with the outgoing Bill Chow until he takes over the role on his own after the Centennial Cup. So far, Kyle has said all the things many – including myself – want to hear: let’s make the league younger, more skilled, more focused on education and moving players on. In private he has been engaged in following the hockey on display in the playoffs, and connecting with people around the league; essentially, he has been investing in building relationships around the province. He has a big job, but he seems like a really good guy with his head on straight, so let’s see how he goes about it.
2. A few words for Bill: I have to say that I will absolutely miss and forever respect Bill Chow. The outgoing SJHL commissioner presided over the league during the Humboldt crash, the Pandemic, and all sorts of changes; and he did so with grace, compassion, kindness, and common sense. No commissioner will be loved by everyone, but I like Bill and think he did a really good job through very hard, tricky times.
3. Fun final: So, it’ll be fitting that the last SJHL Championship he hands out will be in a Game 7 after an epic series! Estevan and Flin Flon have held home ice through six games of the final, so it comes down to one contest Friday night at Affinity Place! After Game 6’s 6-1 Flin Flon win at the Forum east of the border, I sense Estevan fans are nervous, but I really think Game 7 will be an absolute toss-up. Two great teams, two great fanbases going at it with passion and not a little bit of hostility! It has been a blast to call it, especially with my good pal Rory McGouran beside me, and the excellent talents of Producer Rusty and his Bamboo Crew, Jordan “the Prodigy” Frey, the ultimate pro Dave Thomas, and the all-around awesome Jacob Faith – as well as the wonderful Daniella Ponticelli in Games 1 and 2! It has been incredible. The banter from both sets of fans has been a real highlight! I’ll never forget this series; it has been a super highlight of my career for sure. Best two words in sports: Game 7.
4. Going for the double! I: Proud of the Notre Dame Hounds U18AAA boys and girls who are heading to the Telus and Esso Cups, respectively. Such a tough accomplishment for these two programs, and you think about a possible double U18 national championship for ND! Del Pedrick and his staff with the boys, and Craig Perrett and his staff with the girls have done remarkable jobs, and even more so, those two groups of kids have really gotten better as the year has gone on, grown as collective groups, and while there is plenty of talent there, they are also both teams that are more than the sum of their parts. They start May 16 in Alberta!
5. Thrilled for Robby: May 4 was Phase II of the USHL Draft, aka the draft where the USHL tries to steal really good players from other Junior A leagues. Well, Muskegon made an excellent pick when they grabbed my good pal Raythan Robbins from the North American Hockey League’s Anchorage Wolverines. The soon-to-be 20-year-old goaltender from Alaska was dominant for his hometown team, and while he spent only a short time with the Notre Dame Hounds Junior A, he will forever be one of my favourite kids for his maturity, his extremely professional approach to his craft, and especially his impressive cooking skills (he once made an awesome shrimp dish for my wife and me!). I know he’s super excited to be heading to the USHL, and I am really, really proud of him. Always have time for Robby!
6. Perkins goes 2nd: Had an interesting call with Humboldt Broncos coach/GM Scott Barney about Youngstown trading up in the draft to nab the top 2004-born skater in the SJHL, Matthew Perkins. The talented Balgonie, SK native had 59 points in his rookie year with the Broncs, and while I have no idea about the particular inner workings of the Youngstown Phantoms, I do know the school he is committed to – Minnesota-Duluth – definitely prefers its commits to play at what it considers the highest possible level, even at the risk of ice time. We’ll see, but Perkins is an outstanding young talent, and I know he can play and make an impact at that level; it’ll be up to him to show it.
7. Neumeier’s shot?: Former Kindersley Klipper and Notre Dame student Michael Neumeier had a really solid season with Bismarck of the NAHL and was picked by Waterloo in the draft. The former SJHL All-Rookie Team member has the size, skating ability, and hockey sense to be a regular at that level, especially given his really extensive experience given his young age (as a 2003 birth year he has already played 104 Junior A games, with Covid and all!), I think he’ll be fine in the U-Show if that’s where he plans to go. I’ll never forget that Kindersley’s top pair in 19-20 was 1999-born, Brendon Borbely and 2003-born Neumeier! Four years difference! Wild.
8. Kudos to Zielke: Big-time shout out to Humboldt Broncos forward Ethan Zielke, who committed to Division I NCAA newcomers Lindenwood University in St. Louis, MO. He kept growing all year, and according to Barney is as committed to his craft, and taking care of his body, as any player he’s had as a coach. High praise. Love to see a patient guy, who identified that he was in a good situation, developed, and then got what he deserved! It isn’t a fair world by any stretch, but sometimes there are good stories like Zielke! A team led by Connor McGrath and Ethan Zielke next year, among many others, the Humboldt Broncos are going to be stacked again, folks.
9. Not getting ahead of myself: Not going to spend too much time on this, but yes, the Leafs won Game 1 vs. Tampa big. So what? The Leafs have tended to be pretty good in Game 1s, but have teased and failed so many times in the last 10 years…I can’t get too excited about it. Heck, I won’t be excited until they actually win the fourth game.
10. Was bound to happen: Finally, the U18 Worlds was not great for Canada. Losses to the USA, Czechia and Finland had them done in the quarters, and even Connor Bedard couldn’t save them. But it was pretty unfair on them…Hockey Canada could pick from only a handful of CHL teams that didn’t make the playoffs, as well as a few Junior A players, and even a prep school kid! They were facing the best the other countries had to offer in terms of draft-eligible players, for the most part, so no shame. Bedard scored six goals in four games, so not bad at all.
(Follow Jamie on Twitter at @Neugsie)
