NEUGSIE’S AROUND THE SJHL

By: Jamie Neugebauer
Voice of the ND Hounds

And now back to regular programing! Hope you all had a great holiday season!

1. Trade Deadline Soon – I totally get the point that these are just kids getting uprooted and how that can be hard, but I still love trade talk, I’ll admit. Who’s going to move before the Jan. 10 trade deadline? One name I’ve seen thrown around is Humboldt’s Logan Foster, but that would really really surprise me. Scott Barney likes to wheel and deal, no doubt, but he also understands that young kids need a mentor or two around, and from what I’ve heard, Foster has been awesome for that Broncos organization (not to mention he’s a heck of a player, and there is no way Humboldt has given up on this year). On the flip side, it seems pretty likely that Melville will move Zach Bannister, with the clincher being that the former 70-point man hasn’t been in the Mils roster the last couple of games. He’d be a great piece in the right spot – who has room for more 99s though? A couple interesting veteran forwards in Kindersley and Estevan too, with both clubs on the fringes of the playoffs. Could the Klippers move Tyler Traptow or Estevan Jayden Davis for the right price? I have no idea, but it wouldn’t stun me!

2. Showcase Rosters – Glad to hear that the SJHL plans to release their MJ/SJ Regina Showcase rosters on Monday, at the same time as the Manitobans, which is how it should be. I have no idea if I’ll have any participation in running the thing, but I’ll be there either way, so come up and say hey if you see me! I cannot wait for the event, Jan 21 and 22 in Regina’s Co-operators Arena. Got my fingers crossed to see a bunch of Hounds there, I’ll be honest!

3. Crisis in Yorkton? – Obviously things are humming along pretty well in Yorkton, but could there be a crisis brewing with their star goaltender Ryan Ouellette ditching the Terriers for the USHL, seemingly out of nowhere? Matt Hehr was in the same spot last season, as Riley Lamb took off for the WHL almost a year to the hour, and I would really be surprised if he didn’t go out and try to get a veteran goaltender sooner than later. Noah Giesbrecht is one name I’d keep my eye on if I’m a Yorkton fan, as the big man was great for Melfort last year, and was just cut by Muskegon in the USHL. I don’t have any inside intel on that, but it’s an interesting situation for a Top 3 team in our league. It’s tough to see a kid like Ryan leave, but I always hope for the best for anybody! He was one of those in the “league’s best goalie” debate for sure. From a personal angle, here’s hoping that means even more eyeballs on ND’s Riley Kohonick, who has been unbelievable this year.

4. More Petruic – The good news for Yorkton is that they still have No. 11, their captain, who told me that he’s seriously considering whether to go to University next year, or try his hand at pro right out of Junior A. I have personally never seen a kid have success jumping from Junior A to pro, but I’m sure it’s been done somewhere, and Chantz might have the ability to do it (one never knows though). He does continue to make a mockery of the SJHL this year, though, with 50 goals and 94 points in 43 games play so far. Someone texted me “why isn’t he in Moose Jaw, again?”. I honestly have no idea, but he could definitely contribute at the WHL level.

5. Tough start for Deco – Obviously nine goals on 42 shots over two games vs Yorkton wasn’t the start Noah Decottignies, and the Broncos, were hoping for the Calgarian after he was acquired last week from Weyburn, for the rights to forward Isaac Leik. His results for the Wings were pretty mixed to be honest – brilliant one day, not so the next. Also, Petruic and the Terriers have made a lot of goalies look average this year. Don’t panic about it Broncos fans, I’ll still give it time before I call the move ‘hasty’.

6. Gross Gone – Good news for Mac Gross is bad news for the Kindersley Klippers as the fine 2002-born defenceman has departed for the Spokane Chiefs of the Western Hockey League. As a third-round pick of the Chiefs, you would have had to guess that the Spokane brass was keeping a close eye on the youngster, but after earning a spot at the CJHL Top Prospects Game for this year (which is now void, due to his WHL games played), you would think the Klips were hoping he would lean the way of the NCAA. Either way, I’m sure it’s a dream-come-true for Mac, so I hope nothing but the best for him!

7. Vinny Prospal’s Kid! – Big news out of Melfort is that the Mustangs have acquired Vaclav Prospal, the Ottawa-born son of long-time NHLer Vinny Prospal, from the Sherwood Park Crusaders. I’m not sure what to expect from him, given that he’s only played five games all year so far, but if he’s anything like his dad, he’s bound to be tough.

8. All Good In Battlefords – I told Battlefords fans not to panic, and though it isn’t a reach to assume a team as deep and talented as the Stars will figure it out, I’m still claiming that ‘told ya so’! Since that 10-1 drubbing by Flin Flon on Dec. 14, Brayden Klimosko’s men have rung off five convincing wins in a row, outscoring the opposition 27-13 over that span. Also, 12 of their next 16 games are at the North Battlefords Civic Centre…I think they’ll have No. 1 in the league in the regular season in hand sooner than later.

9. Wolves Loving Life – Haven’t lost in regulation since Nov 29, whole month, eight wins over that span, fourth in the league and in a real battle with Yorkton and Flin Flon to move up even higher. La Ronge is in a great spot, and if Kevin Kaminski isn’t Coach of the Year, then I’ll be stunned and a half. What. A. Job.

10. Lips! – Cool to see a talented, hard-working, character kid like Notre Dame’s Olivier Lépine get rewarded for his great December by being named league defenceman of the month. He had a great start to the year, got hurt, took some time to get sharp again, but boy is he looking good now. ND’s power play is really cooking, and he’s a big part of that. Hope he keeps it up!

(Follow Jamie on Twitter at @Neugsie)