NEUGSIE’S AROUND THE SJHL

1. Kindersley’s Rebuild Continues – Doing the dreaded “junior rebuild”, i.e. selling off your veteran pieces in an effort to win tomorrow, when today isn’t going so well, is never fun; but Larry Wintoneak and his staff in Kindersley are doing an awesome job at it. Since Nov. 6, the Klips have dealt no fewer than seven vets away, and have received eight players back who could realistically be part of their future. I’d say that’s great work! The centrepieces of that future include forward Davin Griffin, who as a youngster is really struggling with the Prince George Cougars of the WHL, but should be a real force at the Junior A level, and 2001-born winger Ethan Mack, whom Wintoneak and company pried away from the Nipawin Hawks. Cale Elder was fantastic for the PA Mintos a couple of years ago in Sask midget, and while he hasn’t played a game yet for Kindersley, I think he has plenty of talent.

2. Melfort Was Good Before… – One of the benefactors of that Kindo sell-off, and maybe the biggest, is the Melfort Mustangs, as Trevor Blevins continues to try to deal his already solid club into one that can compete with the likes of Battlefords and Flin Flon over a seven-game series. They added Kyle Bosch from the Klippers, who is one of the most dynamic talents in the league, and who should slot in under Ryley Lanthier (and maybe the veteran Kenzie Arnold) as a Top 3 forward on the Mustangs right away. The other piece in the Kindersley deal they got, Austin Nault, is also a top player in the league, but is reportedly struggling with injuries that might push deep into January. Either way, with what is probably the top one-two punch in the league in net in Shawn Parkinson and Tanner Martin, an excellent D-corps led by Alex Rondeau and Nolan Kadachuk, this Melfort team might have just gone from really good to great.

3. Houle-Villeneuve Lands – Speaking of great, it’s no surprise to anyone watching the SJ that Donovan Houle-Villeneuve can play Division I NCAA, and he’ll get that chance starting next year, as he has been announced as a commitment to the University of Maine. The Black Bears have proven that they are unafraid of taking SJHLers, as they committed to ex-Notre Dame Hounds Nolan Renwick and Tim Gould for next year as well, and are regularly icing former Battlefords North Stars defender Levi Kleiboer. Good for Houle!

4. Isaiah Finally Gets His Due – If there was an award for a man who creates so much, but gets so little reward, it might be Estevan Bruins forward Isaiah Thomas this year. The North Dakotan had six points over the weekend, and finally got his recognition, being named SJHL Player of the Week this week. He is as talented, and as dynamic as any forward in the league, and I’d take him on any squad in the province. What a player! Should be an easy lock for the Regina Showcase in January.

5. Biggest Fish Ahead of Dec. 1? – Dec. 1 is the first major roster cut-down date, as teams have to be down to 25 cards, and 23 players, if they want any wiggle room ahead of the Jan. 10 trade deadline. So who is the biggest fish that might move before I write my next column? Offensive-defenceman and WHL veteran Jake Hobson, who just moved from Melfort to a rebuilding Kindersley might be one, while I wonder if Scott Barney in Humboldt would move Logan Foster, who has been magnificent this season on top of that Broncos line-up. Could Chris Lewgood move speedster Jayden Davis? It’s possible, but I never expect Estevan to be a rebuilder, even despite the fact they sit second-to-last in the league as of late November.

6. Humboldt’s Interesting Decision – Those Humboldt Broncos pulled off a big move this past week, sending 2000-born defenceman Chase Felgueiras, who some had on their NHL draft-watch list last year, and speedy 1999-born forward Bryson Cecconi, to the Centennial Cup host Portage Terriers. The return is alleged to simply be ‘futures’, but at the time, the Broncos sat third in the entire SJHL! You don’t often see a No. 3 team sell like that, but clearly Barney has something up his sleeve for next year when his super young squad develops even more. Should be interesting to see what else he does with the other 1999s on the squad, Logan Foster and captain Graysen Cameron.

7. ND’s Goaltending – It’s really good. Both Riley Kohonick and Logan Dyck have been elite for the Hounds this year, so don’t read what the stats say. Now, if only they could get a few more goals…

8. Dawson’s Hawks – Nipawin broadcaster Clark Stork has reported that veteran forward Dawson McKenzie, whom the Hawks had acquired from Kindersley earlier this month, will report after taking some time to consider his future. Dawson immediately becomes Nipawin’s leading scorer, and should provide a dynamic offensive boost to a club that has found goals hard to come by this year.

9. The Four Veteran SJHL Goalies at the Showcase Should Be… – Shawn Parkinson, Ryan Ouellette, Riley Kohonick, and Keenan Rancier. Period.

10. The Most Underrated Defenceman in the League Is… – Hardy Wagner of Notre Dame. Call me biased if you’d like, but he has incredible feet, works extremely hard, is a great teammate, has a great shot, and could easily be a Top 4 on any team in the SJHL. I am really hoping he gets a Showcase nod. He scored in an incredible overtime winner against Humboldt in Wilcox last Saturday!

(Follow Jamie on Twitter at @Neugsie)