NEUGISE’S AROUND THE SJHL
By: Jamie Neugebauer
Voice of the ND Hounds
1 – Heartbreak on the weekend: My heart, and the heart of the whole SJHL community, goes out to the family of Melfort Mustangs defenceman Dylan Ashe of Warman, SK, who passed away over the weekend. Ashe, 18, was solid during the 2018-19 season with the Telus Cup participant Tisdale Trojans U18, and then made the Lethbridge Hurricanes out of their camp a year ago. He was ultimately sent to Melfort, and was part of that excellent Mustangs D-Corp that could have threatened for the Canalta Cup. So sad.
2 – SJ’s Tough Times: Between the Humboldt crash, Covid, and now this horrible tragedy, the SJ has certainly had its share of brutal situations the last few years. I know I’m preaching to the choir, but whenever we get back to games and fans are allowed, never take an opportunity to go watch these incredible young men play hockey for granted again.
3 – Will There Be A Season Soon?: The rumour is that the prospects for the season to start relatively soon are looking good. This point might even be obsolete by the time you read this column! Either way, keep it locked on SJHL social media for the next couple weeks folks!
4 – I’m not going to say much about Notre Dame camp right now, but I can tell you there is a duo at the top of the forward depth chart that looks absolutely sensational together. Loved the level of compete, intensity, and enthusiasm I saw all the way around though, and I’m not just saying that.
5 – Nice Estevan Pickup: The Bruins picked up former Battlefords North Stars ‘AP’ Caelan Fitzpatrick, who was a great part of an absolutely loaded Moose Jaw Warriors U18s a season ago, this past week. That Warrior teams’ top scorer Connor McGrath is expected to be with Weyburn this year, so it’ll be interesting that those two former teammates will be part of that great rivalry moving forward.
6 – Still crickets on the Americans, but…: Still no word on whether Americans will be able to play if we start the season anytime soon, but those I have talked to are pretty confident that it won’t be a hill the Canadian Junior Hockey League will die on. As I mentioned in a previous column, teams are involving legal counsel on the matter, and that means big money, so if your favourite team has Americans signed, don’t panic.
7 – Social Media Steps: I am really pleased to see the steps teams are making league-wide to post well on social media this pre-pre-season. Does it sound trivial to you? It shouldn’t. In my mind, social media is the 21st Century front door to your club, organization, company, etc. and for teams and the SJ to take it seriously is great. Let’s keep getting better as a community, because social media plays a big part in perception of a club and a league, for better and worse.
8 – Maritimes Surprised: Got a few messages of surprise, especially from those involved in minor hockey in the Maritimes, about Estevan releasing Nova Scotian big-time U18 scorers Mason Beck and Samuel Gallant from camp. The sense I get from those involved with the Bruins is simply that they were beaten out by other players in their age group. No surprise that Estevan camp is a high intensity one; mix a new coach, with an impending Centennial Cup the next year, and a strong crop of returnees – it shouldn’t be an easy team to make.
9 – Billets: Looks like the Yorkton Terriers and Melville Millionaires are looking hard to find billet homes. If you’re from that area, and have some space, please consider joining the great traditions of those clubs and put a few kids up! You can find information on who to contact on their respective social medias, and I can say from experience that both Matt Hehr in Yorkton and Mike Rooney in Melville, and their organizations, are great to work with. You won’t regret it!
10 – I’m fired up!: There have been talks between myself and a certain Rod Pedersen to get him out to do colour on a few more of my ND Hounds broadcasts this year coming up. Obviously, it depends on schedules, and how many people are even allowed in booths, but Rod and I have done a few games together the last couple of years, and it was an absolute blast each time. Working with such an incredible pro like him is such a treat for me.
(Follow Jamie on Twitter at @Neugsie)
