By Mike Stackhouse /

The Dec. 1 roster cutdown deadline, which is the first of two for Junior ‘A’ Hockey Clubs across the country, came and went without much activity as far as a blockbuster trade 
is concerned.

The majority of SJHL teams opted to chop rosters to the point of being flexible to add a veteran that could make a major difference come the January 10th trade deadline.

“I think because that is what all of the teams have done everywhere (across western Canada), you won’t see much on Jan. 10 either,” said Melville GM/head coach Jamie Fiesel. “Usually, what happens on Jan. 10 is that you have a few teams that have cards available and some others who don’t.

“And, then there are teams who are in contention and don’t have room or cards. So it becomes a market where just two or three teams are hoping to land that one impact player.

“I suspect come Jan. 10, you may see 10 or 12 teams go after that same player this year.”

Melfort and Nipawin made a three-team trade that also involved the Dauphin Kings in what has to be considered the most significant deal on December 1st.

The Mustangs moved Colin Paull closer to his Virden, Man., home by dealing him to the Kings for future considerations.

Nipawin ended up with 19-year-old scorer Shael Hechter, who was averaging over a point per game in the MJHL 
this season.

The Mustangs received rookie offensive defenseman Christopher Neurauter from the Hawks.

The Hawks also found out that 20-year-old forward Brent Ottmann would be returning to the team, hopefully by the middle of December. Ottmann had 58 points in 54 games with the Hawks last year, but opted to try a professional deal in Germany this year.

Schroeder stands out in November
The SJHL Player of the Month is Humboldt 20-year-old Scott Schroeder.

Bronco teammate Brady Wacker is the Defenseman of 
the Month.

Melville puckstopper Travis Bosch is the Goaltender of the Month, and 19-year-old Rimouski, Quebec native Alex Lamontagne, of the Flin Flon Bombers, is the Rookie of the Month 
for November.