By Mike Stackhouse /

Humboldt Broncos
When will the legacy end? The Broncos have been championship favorites for three straight years.

After 4-2 and 4-1 victories over the Flin Flon Bombers in the ITech Conference final, they’re well on their way.

And after another regular-season championship, get a load of what is eligible to come back: Andrew Bodnarchuk and Mathieu Larochelle in goal, Mitchell Peeke, Kyle Cowan, and Kenton Valliant on the blueline, Spencer Braaten, Dane Lindskog, Shawn Hunter, Leo Lacourciere, and Taylor Piller up front. Recruiting can be a touch easier if you win, so another championship for the Broncos could mean any potential leaks in their line-up could get plugged up quickly in the offseason.
 
Flin Flon Bombers
Mike Reagan has been coach of the Bombers for two years and he’s had them in the mix near the top of the conference each season.

Whether or not the Bombers can overcome a 2-0 series deficit to the Humboldt Broncos remains to be seen.

But Reagan will have some rebuilding to do in the off-season. The foundation should be in place with Michael Young and Brennen Cox anchoring the blueline; Matt Weninger will be back as the goaltender of choice most nights; and Alex Lamontagne, Cole Wilson, Mathieu Lecours, and Devin Mitzner provide a nice starting point up front.
 
Melfort Mustangs
The Mustangs started out as a young team, but turned themselves into a veteran laden squad by Jan. 10 when they realized they had a chance to go deep into the playoffs. Despite their postseason shortcomings — being swept in four games by Flin Flon — head coach Darrell Mann still has Jordan Washburn penciled in as the No. 1 goalie next year and Cristopher Neurauter should be his powerplay quarterback on the back end. Deven Stillar led the team in goals and he should be one of the league’s best as a 19-year-old next year. The Mustangs will also hope for a breakout season from Gary Childerhose.

Nipawin Hawks
The Hawks started the year disastrously, but recovered towards the end before flaming out in the playoffs against Battlefords in three straight games. Cognizant of the fact a lot of scoring would be gone due to overage players, head coach Colin O’Hara made sure he picked up Shael Hechter at midseason. Mike Rey scored 25 goals and will be asked to, at least, duplicate that in 2009/10. Taylor Thiessen was a finalist for SJHL Defenceman Of The Year and that renders him a favourite to win the award outright next year. Goaltending was an area of concern in the playoffs, but the streaky Wyatt Waselenchuk is eligible to come back.
 
Battlefords North Stars
They saved the best for last. Battlefords barely won 15 games, but then won five of their first seven in the playoffs before pushing Humboldt to the limit. Provided he doesn’t end up in the Western Hockey League, Dane Muench will be back as one of the most talented 17-year-olds in the CJHL. Mitch Wall emerged as a scorer in the playoffs and the shifty Alexandre Leclerc broke out in the postseason too. Defencemen Tom Kleidon, Jesse Lebreton, and Woody Klassen will be expected to lead the blueline. Kyle Birch had a coming out party in the playoffs and if that continues into next year, then the netminding will be in good hands.
 
LaRonge Ice Wolves
The Ice Wolves, who had the worst record in the SJHL at 11-42-3, are in a rebuilding mode. They have some future considerations coming their way at the end of the year which should help them for next fall. Many jobs will be wide open in September. Down the stretch, head coach Bob Beatty evaluated everyone on the roster and used as many affiliated players as possible. Another season in the league will help the likes of Nolan Souchotte, Doug Lindensmith, Travis Gordon, and Tyson Getzinger.  If the Ice Wolves can secure commitments from prospects like Jesse Dengler and Matt White, then they’ll be well on their way to returning to respectability.