NEUGSIE’S AROUND THE SJHL

By: Jamie Neugebauer
Voice of the ND Hounds

1. The Good News: The Saskatchewan Hockey Association released its return to hockey safety guidelines last week, which opened the doors for virtually every level of hockey in the province to figure out how they’re going to get going within the boundaries prescribed by the government. The SJHL is technically allowed to start pre-season this upcoming Saturday, Oct. 17, and the regular season Nov. 1, but…
2. The ‘Wish It Was Better’ News: This is all dependant on the individual teams and arenas coming together to determine how many fans can be allowed in their specific rink, and then the real kicker, figuring out the bureaucracy of rescheduling everything within the framework. Go to https://sha.sca/news/return-to-hockey for full details.
3. A Few Points: One point of interest, among many in the 62-page document, is that teams in the SJ will be placed within two mini-leagues, only facing five other teams until the New Year. This ‘bubble’ concept also means that games will likely be two days on, then at least five days off, allowing space for teams to figure out if anybody has symptoms, and then time for contact tracing and the like. For a completely hypothetical example, Yorkton faces Melville in a home-and-home on a Saturday and Sunday, then cannot play again until the next weekend.
4. So When Will The Preseason Start? Well, we could see action by the time I next write a column; but the thing to keep in mind is that most clubs will want to know when they start the regular season before they start preseason, to plan it all out. Nov. 1 is a Sunday, so are we going to start the regular season then? Usually they aim for Fridays, so that takes us to Nov. 6. The optimistic response I heard from one coach is that there is a great chance somebody will be playing somewhere this weekend! Very specific, I know! Stay tuned.
5. Kudos to Karter: Big news came out Tuesday evening that ex/current Humboldt Broncos forward Karter McNarland, who may or may not stick with Sioux Falls in the USHL, has committed to play Division I NCAA hockey with the University of Vermont. Karter made a big impact as a 16-year-old a year, and was the only representative of the SJHL at Team Canada West’s selection camp ahead of the World Junior A Challenge. So skilled, and possessing of incredible patience and vision, and can win every face-off, Karter certainly deserves the commit, and bigtime kudos to him and to Scott Barney for giving him the ice-time to do it! Great feather in the league’s cap as well!
6. Great Statue: Darcy Haugan’s hometown of Peace River, AB unveiled a beautiful statue of the late Humboldt Broncos coach this past week. Fittingly, the statue was erected in front of the Baytex Energy Centre, the rink where Haugan coached the Alberta Junior B Peace River Navigators from 2003-2015. Classy gesture.
7. Ye Regular MJHL update: The Manitoba Junior Hockey League became the first Canadian Junior A League to hit the ice for regular season action this past weekend, and a few recent SJHLers made an immediate impact. Recent Weyburn Red Wing and Humboldt Bronco Tyson McLean notched the overtime winner for his Portage Terriers vs. the Virden Oil Capitals in a clash of a couple MJ titans Sunday. McLean had also scored in the Friday opener between the clubs, in a losing effort in Virden. Also over the weekend, former Notre Dame Hound Jayce Nikbakht scored and added an assist to help his Swan Valley Stampeders record a resounding opening weekend sweep of the OCN Blizzard. For you Regina fans out there, ex-Pat Koby Morrisseau lit the lamp for his Dauphin Kings in both of their goal-fests with the Wayway Wolverines. Can’t wait to talk about SJHLers actually playing in the SJHL!
8. Ex-Klip Lighting It Up In Aberdeen: Another ex-SJ man elsewhere had a huge start too, as reigning North American Hockey League champs Aberdeen were led by former Kindersley Klipper Liam Fraser to two dominating victories over the St. Cloud Norsemen. Fraser’s three goals earned him Player of the Week honours, after his club outscored St. Cloud 14-1 over the two contests. Tight contests, eh?
9. Berk Being Berk: Speaking of the NAHL, last year’s SJHL Goaltender of the Year Berk Berkeliev was up to his old tricks on Friday. The Calgarian was magnificent in making 35 saves in a 3-2 overtime defeat for his New Jersey Titans at the hands of the Danbury Hat Tricks. Jersey started their younger goalie for next night’s 4-3 win, but still a promising start for Berk. The Titans posted an awesome pad save of Berky’s on their Instagram, so go have a look!
10. ’04 Sticks In Estevan: This isn’t the newest news, but despite announcing a couple cuts already, the Bruins look like they’re keeping 2004-born defenceman and QMJHL prospect Owen Simmonds for the time being. Hopefully they aren’t keeping him to sit around, with potentially six returning D-men and Regina Pats Canadians standout Matt Millette in the mix; but who knows. Head coach Jason Tatarnic was glowing in his praise of Simmonds to Estevan media recently.

(Follow Jamie on Twitter at @Neugsie)