By Mike Stackhouse /

Weyburn Red Wings
The Red Wings are anticipating a lengthy playoff run, and find themselves tied at a game apiece with Melville in the Sherwood Conference final.

After losing 3-2 in overtime to the Millionaires, the Wings rebounded with a 5-0 victory.

However, when the season does end, the Red Wings will bid good-bye to a number of prominent players. Rhett Bly is the top eligible returning forward and he could easily challenge for an SJHL scoring title. Rhys Thomas and Matt McNamee will anchor the defence, and AJ Whiffen is eligible to return as the starting goalie.

Melville Millionaires
Every season looks like a rebuilding one in Melville, but Jamie Fiesel finds a way to keep his team competitive each and every year.

And this spring, they’re battling Weyburn for a berth in the SJHL final.

Logan Herauf, Aaron DeCorby, Brayden Metz, and Michael Jordan provide a nice starting point up front. Almost the entire defense, led by Jordan Reeve, Austin Krahenbil, and Kirk Mastad will be back. Late season addition Brady Wilyman will have early dibs on the starting goaltender position.

Yorkton Terriers
The Terriers have had trouble scoring goals for a couple of years and they don’t have a game breaker on the current roster. 

They had a 3-2 series lead over Melville before scoring just two goals in the final two losses.

Expect that to be a major area of concern during the offseason. Nevertheless, Torey Stott, Kevin Stringfellow, and Jordan Menke are a nice starting point up front. The defence will lose both Greg Coburn and Kirk Byczynski, thrusing Shawn Shackleton and Clark Byczynski into starring roles. Playoff hero Joel Danyluk and Devin Peters will, once again, battle for starter duties between the pipes.
 
Kindersley Klippers
It is the end of an era in Kindersley, which was eliminated by Weyburn in the playoffs, as the electrifying Brett Leedahl moves on from the junior ranks. Captain Jordan Braid will be back and the team will look to surround him with some added offence, perhaps another season of experience will help Braeden Adamyk. Justin Perreaux and Steven Turner will head up the blueline and franchise career wins leader Ryan Nieszner will have to be replaced in goal, perhaps by Tanner Schalin.

Estevan Bruins
It was a disappointing year in Estevan as the Bruins loaded up for a playoff run and got bounced by the Klippers in the conference elimination series. Shayne Barrie should return and take over the crease. Colton MacPherson was one of the SJHL’s top defencemen this season and he has another year of eligibility. There is still plenty to work with up front too with the likes of Chad Filteau, Brody Haygarth, Liam Brennan, and Brant Harris expected to return.
 
Notre Dame Hounds
The Hounds ice young teams every year and, due to scholarship commitments, have plenty of turnover every season as well. Barring something unforeseen, Kraymer Barnstable should be back as the number one puckstopper. Kirk Moore and Blayne Stevenson are eligible to come back and lead the defence. The forward ranks will have a new identity with Rylan Schwartz moving on. Travis Janke and Kyle Ireland played key roles and will be asked to elevate their games even further.