By Mike Stackhouse /

SHERWOOD CONFERENCE

ESTEVAN
The Bruins lost a lot of players from last year, but still boast one of the best lines in the league when Chad Filteau, Brody Haygarth, and Brant Harris play together. Rookies Sean Delwo and Jeremy Peeke have had good preseasons and Dylan Smith comes highly thought of after scoring 59 points in 43 games with Beardy’s of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. Former Team West (World U-17) goaltender Derek Tendler was reassigned to Estevan from the Regina Pats in the final days leading up to the regular season.
 
KINDERSLEY
The defence figures to be the strongest aspect to the club with Steven Turner, Justin Perreaux, and Kurt Leedahl all back from last year and newcomer Shayne McVittie added to the mix. Riley Ross was acquired from North Bay to fill the void left by Ryan Nieszner’s departure in net. Jordan Braid has the potential to lead the league in scoring, but he’s going to need help from the likes of Braeden Adamyk, Johnny Calkins, Taylor Duzan, and Travis Eggum. Kevin Clark had 46 points in 49 games with the Schreiber Diesels (SIJHL) last year and he’ll supply secondary offence.
 
MELVILLE
Last season’s league runners-up feel as though they have enough returnees and the newcomers are good enough to allow them to, once again, be contenders. There is a ton of firepower that needs to be replaced and workhorse goalie Travis Bosch is also gone. Aaron DeCorby and Logan Herauf will shoulder much of the offence, while Austin Krahenbil and Jordan Reeve will log a ton of ice on the back end. Brady Wilyman is pencilled in as the No. 1 goalie and 16-year-old rookie Zach Rakochy has made the club as the backup.
 
NOTRE DAME
The only new head coach this season, Darren Evjen, has completely made over the club from last year despite having almost a complete roster eligible to return. Deven Dubyk was sent to the Hounds from Moose Jaw ofh the WHL and he gives instant credibility in goal. The blueline lacks experience with only Blayne Stevenson and David Lerner back from a year ago. Up front, it will be interesting to see how players like Steve Klips, Trevor Milner, and Todd Christian adapt to their new surroundings.
 
WEYBURN
The early odds on favourite to win the conference, the Red Wings have two 20-year-old goalies (AJ Whiffen and Tanner Erickson) and two rookies (Mitch Kilgore and Mark Smith) that are all capable of contributing at the SJHL level. There are five above-average defencemen returning as well as 19-year-old Tanner McCall, who played in the PJHL for Pilot Butte last year. Rhett Bly figures to challenge for a scoring title along with running mate Tyler Penny. Add to the mix the Cowie twins, Brock Appleyard, Brennan Wrigley, Kyle Johnson, and Shelby Gray and you have yourself a very good hockey club.

YORKTON
With Clarke Breitkreuz and Torey Stott leading the way up front, the Terriers have the potential to score more than they did last year. Veterans Kevin Stringfellow and Jordan Menke should contribute more and newcomers David Skagen and Matt Chomyc come with excellent credentials. Greg Coburn and Kirk Byczynski ate up a lot of ice last year on the blueline, so a committee approach will be used this year with Kurtis Decker, Shawn Shackleton, Clark Byczynski, and Austin Bourhis leading the way. Arguably, they are much deeper. Devin Peters is back as the No. 1 goalie.

BAUER CONFERENCE

BATTLEFORDS
Hopes are high for the North Stars after they, arguably, gave the Humboldt Broncos their toughest test on their way to a third straight SJHL championship. Kyle Birch is back from the WHL to anchor things between the goal posts. Big Jordan Lane was also returned from the Prince George Cougars and he’ll provide a physical presence capable of potting the odd goal. Some unexpected losses on the blueline resulted in the trade of Alexandre Leclerc to Nipawin for Cody Folstad.
 
FLIN FLON
Hopes are equally high, or even more so, for the Flin Flon Bombers, who feel they may have finally put together a squad worthy of dethroning the mighty Broncos. Prized rookie Andrew Johnston is the big story of the off-season, although Alex Lamontagne is back after averaging a point per game last year and goalie Matt Weninger figures to be amongst the SJHL elite at his position. Needless to say, the Bombers will be judged on what they do in the playoffs regardless of how good or bad the regular season ends up.
 
HUMBOLDT
The Humboldt Broncos lost a ton of firepower up front from last year, but they’ve taken major steps to replace it immediately by recruiting Griffin Lacey and Justin Buzzeo from Ontario. Head coach Dean Brockman figures Lacey and Buzzeo will make up two-thirds of a top line, possibly with Jeremy Boyer, currently suspended from the WHL for failure to report to Seattle during training camp. Kyle Cowan’s role on defence will expand and both goalies from last year (Andrew Bodnarchuk and Mathieu Larochelle) are back.

LA RONGE
An interesting team to watch after languishing in the cellar will be the La Ronge Ice Wolves, who were successful in getting 20-year-old defenceman Mike Alexander to report after he was released from the WHL. Alexander and Dustin Stevenson may end up being the best 1-2 duo on any SJHL blueline this season. Up front, point jumps from the likes of Doug Lindensmith, Dan Conacher, and Adam Moar will be crucial if the Ice Wolves hope to get back into the playoffs.

MELFORT
The Melfort Mustangs may have the most exciting player in the SJHL, 19-year-old Deven Stillar, to lead the way up front. Look for Stillar to be part of the Sudbury line with Denis Restoule and Stefan Harrington (out for a month). Goaltender Jordan Washburn had a strong second half as a rookie. In the final days leading up to the regular season opener, the Mustangs received word that talented rookie Jesse Mireau and highly touted first-year defenceman Brett Rock were on their way back from the Western Hockey League.

NIPAWIN
The Nipawin Hawks have looked to Manitoba, more specifically, Brandon for help in replenishing what they lost a year ago. Defenceman Kyle Hamm and forwards Kory Kimpinski and Curtis Brolund all hail from the Wheat City. Kimpinski projects to be a first-line player immediately with Mike Rey and Matthew Spafford. Brolund is a power forward that got lost in the depth of the Dauphin Kings a season ago and Hamm should take over point duties on the powerplay with veteran Taylor Thiessen.