NEUGSIE’S AROUND THE SJHL

By: Jamie Neugebauer
Voice of the ND Hounds

1. Crunch Time: Well folks, it’s almost the end of February, so the time is truly running low for the league to get going. How late is it? Hard to know how far into May anything can happen, especially since the cost-to-benefit ratio of keeping the ice in rinks seems to vary wildly province-wide. The other time-crunch element is that the Trade Deadline for the Canadian Junior Hockey League is on Thursday, which brings with it a whack of questions. That being said, I don’t see Thursday as that enormous of a date relative to how crunchy the time crunch already is. So, where are we in terms of return to play?
2. The Plan Is In: Well, I can confirm that the initial plan created by the SJHL’s coach-run return-to-play committee – consisting of Estevan’s Jason Tatarnic, Nipawin’s Doug Johnson, Humboldt’s Scott Barney, and Flin Flon’s Mike Reagan – has been submitted to the Sask Government. It’s hard to get exact details, but it appears as though the plan consists of three different bubbles, located in centres that have an SJ team already, with the infrastructure in place to house and feed the estimated four teams-per-bubble. The government agreed to the WHL’s expansive plan for the Regina Hub, and we have confirmation that the SJHL looked at that as a source of information on what Premier Moe’s crew would find acceptable, so why could something not be worked out with our league? It certainly could, which leads to the other ‘government’ that really matters in this situation: the Board of Governors.
3. The Source of the Cash?: There is some sort of appetite for the resumption of the 2020-21 season within the Board, I can tell you that; as one governor told me “why would we just not shut it down if not?”. It’s a fair point. To what financial degree would the Board deem these bubbles worthwhile, that is the real question. The answer appears to be that the players themselves, and their families, would have to agree in a very large way to foot the bill. My only guess for what that might look like per player is wild speculation, so I’ll save that for now; but what I can tell you is that while the governors seem cautious, many players I have talked to are pretty eager to find whatever way they can to get on the ice. I guess we will see.
4. A Fragmented League?: So, that all then begs the question: could we see some teams opt-in to a return-to-play bubble, but not all 12? The Canmore Eagles of the Alberta Junior league have decided not to go, even though their league is, and we could see more scenarios like that as the Northern Ontario and Central Canadian (Ottawa-area) leagues look poised to get back on the ice very soon too. The answer is yes, we could see hockey if not all 12 SJ teams opt in; I know this because President Bill Chow told me point blank that if the Board of Governors is okay with it, there is no by-law forcing a full league. Obviously, it would be better if everyone was involved, and whether, like Canmore, all the players on those teams would be made available as loaners to the teams that are playing. So again, we’ll see!
5. Team of the Last Five Years: On our SJ at Noon Show on Monday, which has loads of good and interesting information about all this return-to-play stuff by the way, Rory and I had a little draft where we selected a six-player squad based on individual seasons over the last five years. The only rule was we had to pick at least one rookie. I picked Logan Schatz (Humboldt, 17-18), Layne Young (Battlefords, 17-18), Adam Dawe (my rookie, Notre Dame, 16-17), Loch Morrison (Melfort 17-18), Seth Summers (Battlefords 19-20), and Justen Close (Kindersley 18-19). Rory got Chantz Petruic, Layne Young as a rookie, Carson Albrecht, Doug Scott, Josh McDougall, and Taryn Kotchorek. Both squads are excellent I’d say! Would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
6. Kudos to Tremps: Have to tip my cap to Notre Dame Hounds forward Zach Trempner who committed to Castleton University (D3, NCAA) in Vermont this past week. Tremps becomes the fifth Hound to commit during this crazy year, which really speaks to the work of the young men, but also the work ethic and relationships of ND Head Coach and GM Brett Pilkington. Also, Zach is an unbelievable young man, and whether it’s in hockey or not, I have nothing but faith he will succeed in whatever he decides to do in life. Cannot say enough good things about him.
7. Trade Deadline Trades?: Will we see trades at the Thursday deadline? I think we’ll see a few – 20-year-olds going to places more certain to play than ours, but I don’t think there will be a rush. It would be pretty interesting if there were any within the league itself, but I would be surprised. I’ll recap whatever happens, if something happens, when it happens! Nothing has trade-wise yet!
8. Ice-out in Melfort: I am told the ice in Melfort’s Northern Lights Palace is for sure coming out this weekend. The Mustangs have been battling to keep it in, hoping the season can continue somehow, but it appears to be in some sort of stone. It thus becomes the first place in the province with an SJHL connection to close, though I am told they could put the ice back if the right amount of cash is put forward. I thought Melfort would be a good spot for a Northeastern Cohort bubble along with Flin Flon, Nipawin, and La Ronge. The Boston Pizza beside the Canalta Hotel in Melfort is just dynamite.
9. Bedard Not Alone: In WHL news, Medicine Hat Tigers’ reporter Scott Roblin has confirmed that at least three 2005-birth years will be playing in the Alberta WHL start. Defenceman Reid Andresen of Saskatoon and formerly of the Blazers is expected to suit up for Medicine Hat, while former Contact and Swift Current bantam superstar Kalan Lind looks to play games for his Red Deer Rebels. A third youngster, big Edmonton-born forward Cole Miller has been given the go-ahead to be exceptional for the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Might there be more in the Regina Hub? We’ll see, but certainly none will have the pressure of expectation anywhere close to Connor Bedard.
10. Layoff Babcock: Sask hockey (and the hockey world at large) was split into two camps this past week: those in favour and those against the University of Saskatchewan’s hiring of Mike Babcock as Men’s Hockey head coach. I am firmly in the camp that it’s great for Canada West and Sask Hockey that he’s coming, that he recognizes he made a few mistakes in his coaching life, and that if you thought the Huskies were a machine before, wait till that guy get his mits on the program! It is not intended to be a long stay for the Saskatoon native at any rate, as he and the UofS have stated he’s in there as a volunteer for two years maximum, and to help hire and groom a long-term solution as the replacement for the retired long-time fixture Dave Adolph at the Merlis Belsher Place. Babcock wants to get back into the NHL as quick as possible, and the UofS is a great spot to bide his time and help out while he waits. In the meantime, it’ll be great for the Huskies, so it’s a win-win!
11. Kudos to Nobes!: Was just about to be finished writing my column when I saw Melfort Mustangs’ 20-year-old forward Adam Nobes committed to Trinity Western University for the 21-22 Canada West, USports campaign! A big, skilled kid, the former Langley BCHLer was pretty underrated in our league last year after putting up monster numbers in BC Jr B the year before as a rookie. Good for him, and a nice add by TWU!

(Follow Jamie on Twitter at @Neugsie)