NEUGSIE’S AROUND THE SJHL

By: Jamie Neugebauer
Voice of the ND Hounds

Please Listen To Me Very Carefully: I have heard a lot of fatalism from people in and outside the hockey world lately, feeling like there won’t be a season much longer, and even kind of wondering what we’re playing for. I think that’s a destructive mind-trap: nobody can read the future, all we can really do is cherish and be grateful for every single hockey game we can watch or be at. I’ve tried to call each game so far this year with an extra grateful heart, and though I have myself battled that strange feeling like waiting for a slap in the face you know is coming without knowing when, I have tried to enjoy every second of the SJHL, Sask U18, and Canadian High School games I’ve called so far this year. Thank you so much to the communities, the volunteers, the rink staff, the players and coaches for playing for us all during such a difficult and complicated time! Let’s try to keep perspective no matter what happens.
Manitoba, Or What I’m Afraid Of: With cases soaring in all provinces lately (since, you know, Thanksgiving and Halloween), and the weather getting colder, the thing that I fear the most to happen here in Sask happened in Manitoba. Toban Premier Brian Pallister ordered an immediate shutdown of almost everything, as that province went code red last week, and Manitoba Hockey followed suit. The MJHL says it will be stopped until the New Year, and players have already been sent home if they’re free of the virus (I know of one MJ player who tested positive and hasn’t been home yet, obviously). This has also meant a very tough time for the Flin Flon Bombers, forcing a cancellation of their series vs. Kindersley, and beyond that the intense uncertainty clearly led to a subpar performance last Tuesday at home to the Melfort Mustangs (don’t yell EXCUSE! These are young human beings, remember…have a heart). The rumour out of the Bombers camp is that all their players will have to move to the Sask side of the border, the team will practice in Creighton, but all their games will become road games. We’ll have to see if the Saskatchewan government approves this, because as one person pointed out to me, the assumption would be that hordes of Bomber fans would descend with the team west into our province, which is a concern. One Bomber player I know told me he and his teammates are obviously feeling the weight of all this, but they just want to play, even with the intense disappointment of not doing so in front of the Whitney faithful. Many have said they see Saskatchewan as merely a month behind Manitoba in the Covid chronology, and that what happens there is inevitably going to happen here. I have a degree in history, and so I’m allergic to the word inevitable…
Twins Deserving The Letters: So back to hockey talk, and after a spirited Saturday-Monday series between Notre Dame and Yorkton, I have to give Terriers’ boss Matt Hehr kudos for getting his team, a lot of which won’t be here past Dec. 20, to play pretty hard. I was especially impressed with the Taphorn twins Kaeden and Keenan, both of whom despite their manifold WHL experience will more than likely be Terriers all year, for playing with the passion that the letters on their jerseys deserve. I only comment from watching them, and not knowing them at all, but last year I wondered if the weight of what happened to end their ‘Dub’ careers rested heavily on them and seeped into their effectiveness at this level. So far this year they are tied for the team lead in scoring, and form an excellent unit flanking Steven Norum. Who knows what Yorkton will look like in the new year, but the ‘Tappies’ will be in the middle of it if they have any success.
Estevan’s Deadly Duo: While media and fans often talk in terms forward lines, “Line 1, Line 2, etc.” coaches in my experience regularly speak in terms of pairs. A big part of their job is to make sense of the madness and chaos that is the game of hockey on and off the ice, so understanding the team in terms of pairs of forwards that can play well together, and then adding a third guy that fits those two is very common. One example that looks to be dynamite for the start of this year is the pairing of Eddie Gallagher and Cole Fonstad for Estevan, as Gallagher is an elite passer, Fonstad an elite finisher, and both have the foot and brain speed to keep up with each other. Last week second-year man Mason Strutt was on their wing, but it’ll be interesting to see how long Bruins coach Jason Tatarnic keeps that all together. So far Gallagher has eight points in four games, and the Montreal Canadiens’ draft pick Fonstad has five goals and seven points.
A Family Affair At ND: Speaking of pairings, how about the start of the Hounds’ Newfoundland bros Ethan and Andrew Stuckless? The elder Ethan has done nothing but score since the beginning of camp, using his strength, shot and smarts, while the younger Andrew has proven his great speed and determination fits well on ND’s big line, which also features a great skater with a nose for the net in Jake Dale. Had there not been a missed point on a goal in Yorkton for Andrew, the Hounds U18 grad, who you probably haven’t heard of yet, would’ve been leading the SJHL in rookie scoring through two weekends (and with one fewer game-played than many). The brotherly chemistry has been instant and fun to watch.
A Great Spot For Bertholet: A lot of talk around the Melvile Millionaires is about all the WHLers they’ve brought in, including some a bona fide future NHLer in Prince Albert Raiders’ defenceman Landon Kosior (in my opinion), but think of the lessons reigning SJHL Rookie of the Week 2003-born Chase Bertholet is getting playing on the wing of NHL picks Jaydon Dureau, and Reece Newkirk. Bertholet does have nine games of WHL experience with the Winnipeg Ice, granted, and was a force for the PA Mintos a year ago, but he’s still getting a nice education from those two established guys. It’ll be interesting to see if he heads to the dub or if the Ice keep him where he’s at (my guess is he’s gone by December as well).
AKC At It Again?: There isn’t a more controversial player in the SJHL than Estevan Bruins’ captain Austin King-Cunningham, who I have written about before. That fire was stoked again this past weekend with an alleged cross-check on Humboldt rookie Carson Schultz. Believe it or not, I side with AKC on this one. Bruins veteran forward Ryder Pierson pushes Schultz into him, AKC gives him a little shot, then backs off and gets five and a game. Is it a situation where his priors caught up to him a bit? Not sure. I’ve seen him clearly act in a dangerous way from my perspective, and seemingly with time to make that decision; but this isn’t one of those situations if you ask me. Maybe he’s changed for this year? We’ll see. One thing is for sure: the people in Estevan ADORE him for his style of play.
Be Kind Online: Funny to follow up Point 7 with this one, but just like in Point 1, would you all please think and be kind when replying online to something you see or hear? Do you think angrily blast tweeting at something helps anyone? I don’t need to be specific about examples, everyone has seen them during this time of social upheaval and the pandemic’s grip, but anger and bitterness is a weight around your neck far more than a sting to another person or place’s situation. Always air on the side of kindness, and I am certainly preaching to myself on this before any of you.
WHLers, Another Point: I’m sure Yorkton coach Matt Hehr is okay with me sharing this, but he and I were chatting a bit about how impressive the 2004 (yes folks, 2004) born Vaughn Watterodt has been so far, and he mentioned that the attention to detail, the preparation, the focus, and the drive he owns naturally is only being enhanced by the tutelage of the many WHL loanees on the squad. Watterodt is a Kamloops Blazers pick, and they would be extremely wise to look at this kid, who can not only skate and play, but is physically fearless as well. I was all-in on being against the league’s decision regarding the WHLers, but it is definitely a positive thing if Junior A players can appreciate the extent to which they can learn from both playing with, and against, guys at that level. Man, am I a fan of Watterodt.
(Bonus) What A Blast!: Finally, Rod and I have committed to calling Regina Pat Canadians U18 AAA home games this year from the Co-Operators Arena in Regina, which you can find on the C’s YouTube channel live! Man, was it ever fun calling the Regina-Notre Dame game last Friday, and I expect an even better tilt this next Friday with the Moose Jaw Warriors U18 in town. It’s early, but Regina and MJ are the two premium clubs in the south cohort so far (as much as you can never, ever count out a Devan Praught-coached Hounds squad), and a clash of the titans is always fun. It is an incredible thrill working with a real pro like Rod; as much as we’re pals, I also look up to him big time.