By Don McIntosh /

Hello hockey fans across Saskatchewan and Manitoba and welcome to the inaugural issue of Hockey Now’s Prairie Edition.

This is the fourth regional edition of Hockey Now and is appearing almost exactly 10 years after the appearance of the first edition, the British Columbia edition, in January 1999.

For many years, people have been asking us when we would start a publication for Saskatchewan and Manitoba, which in per capita terms are the biggest producers of NHL players in the country. Finally the time has come!

This inaugural issue includes special reports on Hockey Canada and the NHL season opening, in addition to in depth reports on the local WHL and Junior A teams, and follows the same formula as the editions in B.C., Alberta and Ontario.

Each regional edition has its main focus on the local hockey scenes in each province. Stories are written mainly by local freelance writers who are well-connected with their local teams and hockey organizations.

Hockey Now has a simple goal: to serve the hockey communities in each market with interesting and useful information that they won’t find in quantity anywhere else.

The scope of Hockey Now’s Prairie Edition coverage will grow as the season evolves. As in other regions, there will be regular in-depth coverage of local Major Junior and Junior A teams, coaching and development tips, and regular news updates on Canada’s national development teams. As well, there will be four special NHL PowerPlay reports, focused primarily on the Canadian NHL franchises. As the season progresses, Hockey Now will also add lots of minor hockey coverage as well.

Hockey Now is a free publication, funded entirely by advertising revenue. So the ultimate success and volume of local hockey news coverage will depend on how many local suppliers and sponsors see the value of placing some of their marketing and sponsorship in Hockey Now. We believe it provides great value to anyone who wants to connect to the local hockey communities in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Over 10,000 copies of the inaugural issue will be distributed to about 100 locations, including most local hockey arenas. Readership is estimated at around 20,000 for the first issue. Contact us to get the publication in your local rink (free).

A digital version of this issue will be available at www.hockeynow.ca; and a fully featured website, similar to the B.C., Alberta and Ontario websites, will be launched early in the New Year.

We hope you enjoy this first issue. Let us know what you think by emailing me at dmcintosh@hockeynow.ca. Select respondents will receive a lucky Hockey Now T-shirt!

We look forward to hearing from you.