Contract extensions for Saskies big for Roughriders

A Roughriders “Bring ‘Em Out” T-shirt.

During a season of struggle on the field, the Saskatchewan Roughriders featured three of their most popular “Wheat Province” products on a gift store T-shirt.

The year was 2015 and the Roughriders were suffering through a 3-15 regular season to finish last in the entire CFL. The Roughriders stumbled out of the gate at 0-9 and missed the post-season two years after winning their fourth Grey Cup title.

During the second half of that 2015 campaign, the Roughriders stocked their gift store with a “Bring ‘Em Out” T-shirt, which referenced the team’s pre-game entrance.

The picture on the T-shirt was a shot of the Roughriders storming on to the frozen concrete of their old long time home in Taylor Field.

The three players leading the charge were long snapper Jorgen Hus, left guard Brendon LaBatte and centre Dan Clark. All three are popular products from Saskatchewan.

Hus is from Saskatoon and an alumnus of the CJFL’s Saskatoon Hilltops and the University of Regina Rams from the U Sports ranks.

Labatte is from Weyburn and is a Rams alum. Clark is from Regina and is an alumnus of the CJFL’s Regina Thunder.

Having to deal with a campaign that had come off the rails on the field, the Roughriders marketing crew created a product to pull at the heartstrings of the people in the province.

Fast forward to 2020, the Roughriders and the rest of the CFL wasn’t able to take the field due to the coronavirus pandemic that had gripped the world. The Roughriders were looking to build off a 2019 campaign that saw the team finish first in the West Division with a 13-5 record before falling to the eventual Grey Cup champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers 20-13 in the West Final.

Saskatchewan had won 10-or-more games for three straight seasons and had a roster full of popular stars like quarterback Cody Fajardo, receiver Shaq Evans and defensive back Ed Gainey.

Jorgen Hus (#46) sets to snap the ball for the Roughriders in 2019.

With massive vaccination rollouts expected to happen for COVID-19 in the first half 2021, the Roughriders have already started to build their roster for a potential 2021 return to the field campaign.

December of 2020 saw the Roughriders sign a mass load of players, which has included a number of returnees from the 2019 season.

The re-signings have included a number of stars like Evans, running back William Powell and defensive back Nick Marshall.

The re-signings have included contract extensions for Hus, LaBatte and Clark. Hus signed a one-year extension that will carry him through to the end of 2021 CFL campaign.

LaBatte and Clark have signed two-year extensions that will carry them through the end of the 2022 CFL campaign.

While it is huge to have big name stars under contract like Fajardo, Evans or Marshall, players like Hus LaBatte and Clark make up the soul of the Roughriders.

All three have been with their home province club for an extended period of time, and all have come up to the professional ranks playing through Saskatchewan’s minor football system. The presence of Hus, LaBatte and Clark allow young players in Saskatchewan’s minor football system to identify with the Roughriders and see it is possible to have a lengthy professional career.

Hus, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 230 pounds, joined the Roughriders in May of 2015 after his CFL rights were acquired from the Edmonton Football Club. He had previously spent time with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks.

Brendon LaBatte (#57) in action for the Roughriders in 2017.

The 31-year-old has played 81 career regular season games with the Roughriders making 15 career special teams tackles and one defensive tackle. Hus is good enough at his long snapping craft he could be in the NFL, if the right opportunity ever came his way.

Hus has become a successful mortgage broker in Saskatoon, when he is not playing or training for football. He is seemingly willing to help out anyone who takes up the long snapping craft in his hometown including members of the Hilltops and the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in the U Sports ranks.

LaBatte, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 320 pounds, has made his mark as one of the best offensive linemen to ever play in the CFL and has to be destined for the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

After playing his first for CFL seasons with the Blue Bombers, LaBatte joined as a free agent signee before the start of the 2012 campaign. In 12 CFL seasons, the 34-year-old has played in 181 regular season games including 112 contests with the Roughriders.

LaBatte was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Lineman in 2013, which was a campaign that saw the Roughriders win the Grey Cup at Taylor Field by a 45-23 final over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

He was named a CFL all-star six times, a West Division all-star six times and an East Division all-star three times.

LaBatte prides himself in being a mentor to young offensive lineman who join the team, and he is the perfect person you want in the community to represent the team.

Clark first signed with the Roughriders way back in 2009 as a territorial junior player. He made his debut with the Roughriders in 2012.

He became famous for catching touchdown passes in 2013 and 2014 on a trick play as a tight end in the team’s short-yardage package near the goal-line.

Dan Clark calls signals for the Roughriders in 2019.

Clark, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 310 pounds, found a home as the Roughriders starting centre in 2015. The 32-year-old has appeared in 112 regular season games with the Roughriders.

The 2019 campaign was Clark’s finest personal season being named a West Division all-star, a CFL all-star and the Roughriders Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.

Clark is another local who is sensational at representing the Roughriders in the community.

With the CFL having not played a game in 2020, it is important for the Roughriders to have veteran Saskie products on their roster.

When the Roughriders do return to play, veterans like Hus, LaBatte and Clark will give the community owned team the local pull on the heartstrings asset it needs.

Blades’ Robins signs with NHL’s Sharks

Tristen Robins in action for the Blades in the 2019 WHL playoffs.

Tristen Robins has a spectacular start to 2021.

On New Year’s Day, the NHL’s San Jose Sharks announced they had signed Robins to a three-year, NHL entry-level contract. The 19-year-old centre with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades was selected in the second round and 56^th overall in the NHL Entry Draft held this past October.

Robins, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 173 pounds, has played two full seasons with the Blades. He shot up to star status in 2019-20 piling up 33 goals, 40 assists and a plus-16 rating in the plus-minus department in 62 regular season games.

As an 18-year-old sophomore in 2019-20, Robins kept turning more and more heads of NHL scouts. He was rated 134th among North American Skaters in the midterm ranking put out by NHL Central Scouting.

Robins leaped up to the 86th spot among North American skaters on the final NHL Central Scouting rankings. His stock continued to rise resulting in a second round draft selection.

The 2019-20 WHL campaign was ultimately ended on March 12, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Robins helped the Blades post a 34-24-2-3 record to officially lock up a playoff berth before the season was halted.

He has the skating, puck handling, shooting and hockey sense abilities few have. Robins has been a perfect representative for the Blades in the community.

Robins is also following in the footsteps of his father, Trevor, in joining the Sharks. Trevor, who was a Blades goaltender from 1989 to 1992 and played for the Brandon Wheat Kings in 1992-93, signed a free agent contract with the Sharks and played two seasons in their minor system from 1993 to 1995.

In his second season as a professional in 1994-95, Trevor was called up from the International Hockey League’s Kansas City Blades to the Sharks, who dealing with injury problems in goal. Trevor spent about three months going up and down between the two teams but ultimately never saw action in and NHL game.

Tristen has the potential to play for the Sharks one day over an extended period of time. If he gets to skate in just one NHL regular season game, he would one up his father in the process.

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Canada off to semifinals at world juniors

Bowen Byram in action for the Giants in May of 2019.

Canada made the plays it needed to in order to get past the Czech Republic in the quarter-final round at the world junior men’s hockey championship.

Playing in a bubble environment at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alta., without fans on Saturday due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada blanked the Czech Republic 3-0 in a single-elimination quarter-final game to improve to 5-0 at the event.

Dylan Cozens, who is a star centre with the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes, netted Canada’s first goal scoring on a breakaway at the 8:22 mark of the opening frame.

Bowen Byram, who is a star offensive-defenceman with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, netted his first goal of the tournament sneaking a shot through Czech netminder Nick Malik at the 11:39 mark of the opening frame to give Canada a 2-0 advantage.

Cozens picked up an assist on Byram’s goal for a two-point night.

The Czech side didn’t go away and controlled play for sizable stretches of the contest.

Canada finally got the knockout blow with an empty-net goal by Connor McMichael, who is a centre with the OHL’s London Knights, with 2:49 remaining in the third period to round out the 3-0 victory. McMichael also had an assist in the contest.

Kaiden Guhle, a star offensive-defenceman with the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders, had an assist on McMichael’s empty-net goal.

Peyton Krebs, who is a star centre with the WHL’s Winnipeg Ice, had a pair of assists for Canada.

Devon Levi, who is a member of the Northeastern University Huskies men’s hockey team in the NCAA ranks, turned away 29 shots to pick up his second shutout win of the tournament for Canada.

Malik turned away 22-of-24 shots to take the setback in goal for the Czech Republic.

In the other quarter-finals on Saturday, Russia downed Germany 2-1, Finland slipped past Sweden 3-2 and the United States beat Slovakia 5-2.

Canada will face Russia in one semifinal match on Monday (5 p.m. Saskatchewan time, TSN). The United States and Finland will go at it in Monday’s other semifinal (8:30 p.m. Saskatchewan time, TSN).

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Missing CFL a back and forth thing for me

The 2020 Grey Cup Festival T-shirt and baseball cap.

A pre-pandemic birthday gift is my reminder that this should have been Grey Cup week.

On my birthday back on March 4, I was given a T-shirt and a baseball cap to mark that the Grey Cup festival was going to be in Saskatchewan this year. Originally, this week was supposed to be Grey Cup week in Regina, and the championship game for the CFL was supposed to be played this coming Sunday at Mosaic Stadium.

Unfortunately, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic gripped the world pretty tightly causing most of the sports world to shut down in North America on March 11 and 12.

After trying to figure out a scenario to take the field, the CFL officially cancelled its 2020 campaign on August 17.

Actually back on May 20, the CFL decided to move the Saskatchewan Roughriders hosting rights for the Grey Cup from this year to 2022. Originally on that day, the CFL said the Grey Cup host for 2020 would be the team that had the best record going into the game.

The CFL then experimented with the notion of having Winnipeg host the circuit in a hub city format before ultimately cancelling the campaign.

Evan Johnson, left, in action for the Ottawa Redblacks in 2019.

Across Canada, diehard fans lamented the loss of the CFL season. In Saskatchewan, the pain hit a lot of fans as the Roughriders have a well documented passionate following.

It is likely true that there have been some people in Saskatchewan who have thought about the Roughriders for at least half the time they have been alive through the COVID-19 pandemic.

For myself, I have wavered back and forth over whether I miss the CFL or not. I know when and if I ever get back to Mosaic Stadium for a Roughriders home game the reality of missing the CFL will hit me in a bigger way.

In that situation, I suspect I will see a lot of friends that I haven’t seen in a while that I usually see at Roughriders games. Seeing familiar faces will reinforce I am missing something.

As strange as it sounds, I don’t really miss the CFL on most days. After being involved with the sports industry as a sports reporter for 24 years in some shape or form, I realize that sports are a business.

I also realized that no matter how much I love a team or a league that something can happen that will take that team or league out of my life. That team or league will leave my life due to business.

Brendon LaBatte (#57) in action for the Roughriders in 2017.

I’ve conditioned myself to know that happens, and when it does, I just move on with my life. I always cherish the memories I made, and I’ve made lots of outstanding memories in sports over the last 24 years.

When the time comes that life creates a situation I am no longer a good fit with a team or a league, I realize what happened and just move on. I don’t take things personally.

I chalk things that I can’t control up to being the way they go sometimes. It is on to the next thing.

I actually don’t dwell on what life will be like if the CFL does or does not continue to exist.

That does change on days I see people who are hooked in with the league. If I am at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex and I visit with a number of the CFL athletes that train there, then I really miss the CFL.

That is a point in time I wish the players could be playing and the fans could be in the stands.

Jordan Reaves in action for the Roughriders in 2018.

Some of the CFL athletes that train at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex include Jorgen Hus, Patrick Neufeld and Evan Johnson along with CFL Draft selections Mattland Riley and Colton Klassen.

If I talk to Roughriders left guard Brendon LaBatte on the phone, I miss the CFL.

If I interact with Roughriders players Jordan Reaves or Chad Geter online, I miss the CFL.

If I see social media posts of Rider Nation home game regulars like Michelle and Paige Hansen, Lisa Lukye or Connie Dobson, I miss the CFL.

I do hope the CFL survives the COVID-19 pandemic, and we can all go to CFL games again one day.

If it does or doesn’t come back, life goes on for me and I will focus on adjusting the best I can versus the things I can’t control.

Hockey Harvest Lottery up over $146,000

Jackpot update:

💲1️⃣4️⃣6️⃣,1️⃣2️⃣0️⃣

— Hockey Harvest Lottery (@HockeyHarvest) November 20, 2020

Tickets have been on sale since this past Monday, but the 50/50 jackpot for the Hockey Harvest Lottery has already ballooned to $146,120 by Friday.

The lottery will be used to raise money for the player scholarship funds of the Moose Jaw Warriors, Prince Albert Raiders, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades and the Swift Current Broncos. The five Saskatchewan based WHL teams are running the lottery in partnership with the Great West Brewing Company.

The Great West Brewing Company assured that the 50/50 jackpot began at $75,000 before any tickets were purchased.

The progressive 50/50 will run through to December 20. December 21 will be the lottery’s grand prize draw date, and the draw will be conducted in Saskatoon.

Anyone over the age of 19 that is physically in the province of Saskatchewan at the time of purchase regardless of their home residence can purchase a ticket.

The grand prize winning ticket will receive a cash prize of 50 per cent of the final jackpot. The remaining funds will be split evenly between the five Saskatchewan WHL teams and be placed into their respective player scholarship funds.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WHL teams haven’t been able to raise money for their player scholarship funds like they have anywhere near in the past. The WHL is targeting to start its regular season on January 8, 2021.

Tickets purchased prior to 11:59 CST on November 27 will also be entered into a draw to win a Saskatchewan WHL team jersey prize package featuring a jersey from all five Saskatchewan WHL teams. The early bird draw will be made on November 28 in Saskatoon.

Ticket prices are one for $20, five for $50, 20 for $100, 150 for $500 or 500 for $1,000. They can be purchased through the websites of any of the Saskatchewan based teams or by clicking right here.

WHL launches T’s For Toys Campaign, other notes

The WHL is proud to launch #WHLTsForToys in support of children across all 22 WHL markets this holiday season!

DETAILS 🎅 | https://t.co/sNRrvzwzQe pic.twitter.com/HlmAjxQCeT

— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 17, 2020

On Tuesday, the WHL launched a cute Christmas fundraiser involving the mascots of the circuit’s 22 teams.

The mascots are taking part in the WHL’s T’s For Toys Campaign. Fans will be able to purchase limited-edition WHL club T-shirts feature that features a team mascot.

That means, there are 22 different T-shirts WHL supporters will be able to collect.

T-shirts can be purchased online for $20 in Canadian funds and are available in adult and youth sizes. For each T-shirt that is sold, $7 in Canadian funds will go directly to a local charity in the home community of the mascot depicted on the T-shirt purchased.

The proceeds will be used by these charities to purchase toys for local children in need.

For the five Saskatchewan based teams, the Moose Jaw Warriors funds will go to the Salvation Army in Moose Jaw, the Prince Albert Raiders funds will go to the Prince Albert Optimist Club, the Regina Pats funds will go to the Eagle Heart Centre, the Saskatoon Blades funds will go to EGADZ and the Swift Current Broncos funds will go to the Southwest Newcomer Welcome Centre.

The mascot T-shirts can be purchased by clicking right here.

• The University of Regina Rams football team is running a traditional 50/50 lottery online. The funds will be used to run the Rams program. Tickets can only be sold to those in Regina and surrounding communities of a 30-kilometre radius. The draw date is this coming Monday. Anyone in those areas that want to purchase tickets can do so by clicking right here.
• On Monday, track and field star Savannah Sutherland from Borden, Sask., committed to joining the University of Michigan Wolverines women’s track and field team in the NCAA Division I ranks for the 2021-22 campaign. Sutherland specializes in hurdles events.
• On Wednesday, The junior A Manitoba Junior Hockey League and Hockey Manitoba levied a $5,000 fine against 50 Below Sports and Entertainment, who own the Winnipeg Blues and Winnipeg Freeze on that junior A circuit. The fine was given due to the fact the Blues and Freeze held a practice in Warren, Man., on Nov. 9 going against COVID-19 restrictions at the time that prevented Winnipeg based hockey teams from taking part in any sort of hockey activities. The Blue and Freeze also forfeited their respective first round selections in the 2021 MJHL Draft. Each team will be required to complete a community initiative as approved by the MJHL and Hockey Manitoba. The money from the fine will go towards buying COVID-19 personal protective equipment for frontline workers across Manitoba. Manitoba is now currently in a lockdown that prevents any sports from being played.
• On Friday, the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate announced it will not be offering the winter sports of basketball, curling, dance and cheer and wrestling in the 2020-21 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The SSSAD said in a release the decision was made after Saskatoon Public Schools and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools jointly made a decision to extend the pause on extracurricular activities in schools. The SSSAD hasn’t run any sports so far in the 2020-21 campaign due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On Friday, Patrick Maze, who is the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation president, asked for hockey and other recreational activities to cease operations to help keep COVID-19 cases out of schools across the province. Keenan Sorokan of 650 CKOM put together a story on Maze’s request, and it can be found right here.
• Gregg Drinnan put together another round up in his Taking Note blog on how the COVID-19 pandemic is wreaking havoc on the sports world on Thursday. That piece can be found right here.

If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Absence makes heart grow fonder of Roughriders game day

Hanging with Brendon LaBatte after the 2018 Labour Day Classic.

    For the first time this season, I am finally going to make a Saskatchewan Roughriders game day.

    Since returning to Saskatchewan to live in Saskatoon in the summer of 2014, I have tried to make as many Roughriders home games as possible. This year has been one of those years where the team’s home dates have conflicted with other things on my schedule.

    It feels like I might be lucky to make it to three home games this season. I haven’t made a Roughriders home game since last year’s Labour Day Classic.

    Today, I will depart Saskatoon and make the trek down Highway 11 to Regina as the Roughriders (3-3) host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (5-1) at Mosaic Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Saskatchewan time. Once I start making that journey, I know I will become jumpy with excitement.

The Roughriders Pep Band performs at the party in the park last season.

    I wasn’t able to head out to any of the Roughriders first three home games due to scheduling conflicts. When the Roughriders held their first two home games in early July, I was covering the Saskatoon Valkyries 9-0 Western Women’s Canadian Football League championship campaign to a conclusion.

    My energy was focused on the Valkyries, and I won’t trade that moment in time for anything.

    When the Roughriders downed the British Columbia Lions 38-25 at Mosaic Stadium on July 20, I was attending Donn Clark’s celebration of life in Kelvington, Sask.

The Mosaic Stadium crowd cheers a Roughriders touchdown last season.

    In that case, the Roughriders game was secondary, when it came to paying my respects for an old friend, who is best remembered for his time in the WHL as a player, coach and executive with the Saskatoon Blades and Prince Albert Raiders.

    I have focused on taking care of things in my personal life I have been putting off in the present time, but my schedule broke allowing me to be able to attend tonight’s game.

    I have a general admission ticket to Pil Country, which seems fitting considering that is the party section. 

Mosaic Stadium is an amazing sight.

    During the 10 years I lived in Medicine Hat, Alta., from 2004 to 2014, I gained a new appreciation in going to Roughriders home games, because I was going for the party and to enjoy myself.
    With that focus, I found I was able to enjoy Roughriders games, even if they played one of their classic stinker type contests. As a fan, you have to know you are in for at least three of those a season, even when the Roughriders are good.

You have to love the fans that come dressed in costume.

    There were times I might make just two games a year during my time living in Medicine Hat, so I tried to ensure the experience would never be dampened.

    Looking back, Roughriders home games were likely at their party peak in the era from 2005 to 2013, with 2007 and 2008 being the high-point years. During the 2007 and 2008 seasons, it seemed like every Roughriders home game was a Labour Day Classic type game with the atmosphere.

    Roughriders games are one of those things I prefer to attend as a fan. I have worked a home game here and there in the media world, and I worked the team’s last two training camps in Saskatoon for The Canadian Press. I have enjoyed that experience.

    I find it better being in the stands as a fan during Roughriders games. I try to reserve those games as my chance to go out and cheer and just be a fan at a game.

    That feeling goes to the fact there was a period of time from 2004 to 2014 that it always seemed I had a number of friends on the team who were players. Often, I had gone to school with those friends who were players during the years I attended the University of Regina and was involved with the Rams football team.

The Roughriders Drum Line does their thing.

    There were a few times after Roughriders games I would head out to a social function with those friends, and those times were so enjoyable for me.

    On that note, it will be cool to see punter and Rams alum Jon Ryan play live in a game for the first time since 2005, when he was with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. From 2006 to 2017, Ryan played 12 seasons in the NFL split between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks.

    Offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte is the another friend I have on the current Roughriders team that is a Rams alum.

    Outside of Ryan and LaBatte, the only member of the Roughriders I know decently well is long snapper Jorgen Hus,who is an alum of the CJFL’s Saskatoon Hilltops and the Rams.

Game action viewed from Pil Country in 2018.

    When I moved back to Saskatchewan in the summer of 2014, I found another joy in heading to Roughriders games. I was able to make games on a more regular basis, and I got to know a number of the regular fans in the stands.

    So far this season, I would see pictures on social media from those regulars, and that made me miss being at games.

    Tonight, I am looking forward to seeing a number of old friends in the stands. Actually, I one of those that could go watch any CFL game in any stadium and enjoy it.

    On the field, I can’t wait to see how Cody Fajardo, who took over as the team’s starting quarterback, looks on the field live in person.

All smiles after a Roughriders win last season.

    It will be fun to do something familiar and will bring back great memories of the past. Win or lose, I will have a great night, but with that said, here is hoping the Roughriders win.

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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    If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.

Blades’ GM pumped on Dach’s status ahead of NHL Entry Draft

Kirby Dach was at the NHL Scouting Combine.

    Saskatoon Blades general manager Colin Priestner isn’t ruling out the possibility that his team could be without star centre Kirby Dach next season.

    Dach just finished participating in the NHL Scouting Combine that wrapped up on Saturday in Buffalo, N.Y. The 18-year-old Fort Saskatchewan, Alta., product is pegged to be an early first round selection in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, which is set for June 21 and 22 in Vancouver, B.C.

    Last season, Dach, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 200 pounds, appeared in 62 regular season games with the Blades posting 25 goals and 48 assists for 73 points to go with a plus-15 rating in the plus-minus department. Dach added five goals and three assists in the Blades 10 post-season games.

    “It is exciting,” said Priestner. “I think Kirby (Dach) is going to go in the top five.

    “That is what I am hearing right now. You never know. We’re never really told exactly what teams are doing by any means.

    “I know there is a lot interest in the top five. Four, five or six is very interested. He is going to go somewhere in that range is my guess.”

    Back in the 2016 WHL Bantam Draft, the Blades selected Dach in the first round and second overall. Dach has backed up his early WHL Bantam Draft selection with his strong two-way play on the ice.
    In 133 career regular season games with the Blades, he has posted 38 goals and 91 assists to go with a plus-eight rating.

Kirby Dach is expected to be an early pick in the NHL Entry Draft.

    With that in mind, it is still difficult for 18-year-old players to crack into the NHL as freshly drafted rookies, because the bodies of those players still haven’t physically matured.

    Still, Priestner knows Dach will do whatever he can to be ready for an NHL shot.

    If Dach is returned to the Blades, he will have the chance to play with his younger brother, Colton. The Blades selected Colton in the first round and sixth overall in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft, and he can join the team as a 16-year-old rookie in the upcoming campaign.

    Last season, Colton had 16 goals and 12 assists playing 32 regular season games with the Fort Saskatchewan Boston Pizza Rangers midget AAA team.

    “If he (Kirby Dach) makes the NHL next year, that is an outstanding achievement,” said Priestner. “If he doesn’t, he can play with his brother here.

    “It is fun to play with your brother for a year. They’ve never gotten to do that. I think that would be a great year for them.”

    Priestner said Kirby Dach went into the Scouting Combine at full health.

    Dach injured one of his legs in Game 5 of the Blades second round playoffs series with the Prince Albert Raiders after coming together with Raiders star right-winger Brett Leason. Dach missed about 10 minutes of the Blades loss in Game 5 and played hurt in Saskatoon’s season ending loss in Game 6.

    Dach had the option of joining Canada’s entry at the under-18 worlds after the Blades were eliminated from the WHL playoffs, but he decided to sit that out and heal up.

    “It (Dach’s injury)came at the worse time,” said Priestner. “He just got tangled up with (Brett) Leason.

Kirby Dach had a stellar campaign for the Blades in 2018-19.

    “Their feet hit each other. It was just an awkward play. It wasn’t dirty at all.

    “I think it was a wise move not to go to the world championships with a taped up leg.”
    With all that said, it would be a surprise if Dach wasn’t selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft. He was listed third among North American skaters in the final NHL Central Scouting Rankings.

    If Dach is returned to the Blades, Priestner believe he will come back to Saskatoon sometime in October. The general manager expects his skilled centre will likely experience a lull before taking off in that scenario.

    “I think sometimes when an elite player gets drafted and gets sent back there is that letdown period,” said Priestner. “They usually get some games in the NHL.”

Blades overage situation still under evaluation

Nolan Kneen is a safe pick to return as an overager for the Blades.

    Saskatoon Blades are still evaluating the direction they will take with their overage players next season.

    The Blades had seven potential players to fill three overage spots, when they were eliminated from the WHL playoffs in a six-game second round series by the eventual league champion Prince Albert Raiders.

    On May 2, the Blades traded defenceman Reece Harsch to the Winnipeg Ice to cut the potential returning overage players to six.

    Priestner isn’t expecting import Norwegian left-winger Kristian Roykas-Marthisen to return to Saskatoon. Roykas-Marthisen is an NHL Entry Draft selection of the Washington Capitals, but he might elect to play in Europe next season.

    Priestner doesn’t expect netminder Dorrin Luding to be in the picture as 18-year-old Nolan Maier is the team’s starter.

    That brings the Blades down to four candidates for three spots in defenceman Nolan Kneen and forwards “Uncle” Gary Haden, Ryan Hughes and Riley McKay.

    “There is big competition there,” said Priestner. “Nolan Kneen is the only defenceman.

    “I think obviously he is going to be back. That kind of goes without saying after the year he had. We have three excellent forwards and all different.

    “We have an indication of the way we want to go, but I wouldn’t be surprised if four of them showed up to camp right now.”

    Last season, Hughes recorded 30 goals, 39 assists and a plus-13 rating in the plus-minus department in 61 regular season games split between the Portland Winterhawks and Blades.

    Haden posted 31 goals, 34 assists and a plus-19 rating in 64 regular season games split between the Medicine Hat Tigers and Blades.

    McKay appeared in all of the Blades 68 regular season games recording 12 goals, 15 assists, a plus-16 rating and a WHL leading 149 penalty minutes.

    Priestner is looking at his options via the trade route, but said the brain trust on his team needs to be sure of their plans.
    “We need to decide who we are keeping as well before we can trade anyone,” said Priestner. “I am not opposed to a little competition.

    “I want to see what they are like at camp and see how motivated that playoff made them. We’ve got guys that I want to see what kind of shape they come in and all that kind of stuff.”

    Priestner said he has engaged in some preliminary talks on the trade route but added things are still quiet on that front. Teams have until Oct. 10 to decide who their three overage players will be.

    “You sometimes can get a little more for those guys by Oct. 10^th than you can in May when everyone is at the cabin or on vacation,” said Priestner. “There is not a lot of urgency.

    “A team goes to camp and doesn’t like their scoring situation or doesn’t like their forwards, we’ve got three capable top six forwards out of those.”

Saskatoon plans to make two picks at CHL Import Draft

Emil Malysjev might not be back with the Blades next season.

    Saskatoon Blades are looking at making two selections in CHL Import Draft.

    The CHL Import Draft is expected to be held via a conference call on either June 26 or 27. The Blades aren’t expecting Norwegian left-winger Kristian Roykas-Marthinsen to return for his overage year.

    Blades general manager Colin Priestner has been in touch with the club’s Swedish defenceman in Emil Malysjev and found out the rearguard might sign a professional contract in his home country.

    Malysjev is slated to enter his 18-year-old. As a 17-year-old rookie, Malysjev, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 187 pounds, turned heads appearing in 63 regular season games recording three goals, 14 assists and a plus-13 rating in the plus-minus department.

    He was rated 192nd among North American skaters in the final NHL Central Scouting rankings.

    “I think we’re at a point this year we want to probably get two guys that can help us right away,” said Priestner. “That is my focus right now.”

    Malysjev improved greatly as last season progressed and was expected to be a key returnee for the Blades next season.

    If Malysjev doesn’t return, the Blades will be without four out of their starting six defenceman from last season. Dawson Davidson and Brandon Schuldhaus both exhausted their major junior eligibility and Reece Harsch was traded to the Winnipeg Ice.

    Priestner said the Blades brain trust including associate general manager Steve Hildebrand and director of scouting Dan Tencer have work to do in that area, which could include addressing that situation at the Import Draft.

    “We have some good D returning, but did lose a few really good ones,” said Priestner. “I’m not sure we’re going to replace Dawson Davidson and (Brandon) Schuldhaus just tomorrow.

    “That was a real big strength of our team this year we’re a couple of those veteran D. It is my job now with our staff with Hilty (Steve Hildebrand) and Dan (Tencer) and our coaches to shore that defence up. It doesn’t always happen before camp.”

Alive on The Canadian Press wire with Roughriders’ LaBatte

Brendon Labatte is a Roughriders mainstay.

    I was alive nationwide on The Canadian Press wire this past week.

    The Canadian Press sent me down to Griffiths Stadium at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon to work Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp. 
    I put together a story on veteran offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte.

    Labatte is entering his 12^th full season in the CFL. His versatility is a key bonus to the Roughriders offensive line.

    He is one of the team’s leaders, and his play emphasizes the fact why Canadian offensive linemen are viewed as gold in the CFL.
    LaBatte, who is from Weyburn, Sask., was named the CFL’s most outstanding offensive lineman in 2013. He normally plays left guard, but has practiced at centre during training camp.

    The Canadian Press story on Labatte carried via the North Shore News can be found by clicking right here.

 Saskatchewan football community mourns passing of Filteau

 

Justin Filteau in action for the Hilltops in 2014.

  The football community in Saskatchewan is grieving the sudden passing of Justin Filteau.

    Filteau, who is a former star linebacker with the CJFL’s Saskatoon Hilltops and U Sports University of Saskatchewan Huskies, was one of three people killed in a light aircraft crash near Medicine Hat, Alta., late Saturday night.

    The 26-year-old was flying to Moose Jaw, Sask.

    He is was the linebackers coach for the WWCFL powerhouse Saskatoon Valkyries and was planning to travel to Regina, Sask., on Sunday to meet the team and coach in their regular season game against the host Riot, who are the defending WWCFL champions.

    The Valkyries won that contest 22-7 and have dedicated the rest of their season in Filteau’s memory.

    Filteau was coaching in Saskatoon’s minor football system and was a coach for Saskatchewan’s under-16 provincial team.

    Born and raised in Moose Jaw, Filteau played for A.E. Peacock Collegiate’s high school football team. He suited for the Hilltops from 2010 to 2014 and was a member of four CJFL championship teams. He played for the Huskies from 2015 to 2017.

    Numerous tributes have been posted on various social media platforms for Filteau. Funeral arrangements are still pending.

Pedersen launches sports talk show on Monday

Final tests! Getting ready for live bullets Monday at 10:00 am MT on Facebook Live! Please join us for our maiden show, and audio only at https://t.co/6RCZ4mRLas. pic.twitter.com/Qh9BjjWv2g

— The Rod Pedersen Show (@RodPedersenShow) June 3, 2019

    Rod Pedersen is set to rock the sports talk establishment.

    On Monday, Pedersen, who is the famous former play-by-play voice of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders and WHL’s Regina Pats, launches The Rod Pedersen Show. Pedersen is aiming to put together a morning sports talk show in the format that is sort of like The View.

    It will air five days a week from 10 a.m. to noon Saskatchewan time over multiple platforms like Facebook Live, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.

    The move is sure to catch the attention of mainstream outlets. The current two local sports talk shows that air over the radio waves in Saskatchewan in The Green Zone and The SportsCage usually go live after 3 p.m. from Monday to Friday.

    Pedersen will have a daily jump on those two shows with his show.

    During his time as the Roughriders play-by-play voice, Pedersen built a strong following from the team’s fanbase, while becoming infamous with the fans of other CFL clubs that loved to disagree with him.

    No matter how you feel about him, his show should be entertaining. If you want to check it out, it can be found by clicking right here.

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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Roughriders had good season, can’t cannibalize over one game

Kyran Moore celebrates a punt return touchdown for the Roughriders.

    Sheer panic gripped Rider Nation way back in just Week 3 of the CFL season.

    On June 30, the Saskatchewan Roughriders fell to 1-2 dropping a 23-17 decision to the lowly Montreal Alouettes at Mosaic Stadium. With that win, the Alouettes halted a 13 game losing streak that dated back to the previous season.

    That was also the Roughriders “Humboldt Strong” game, where the green and white were honouring the junior A Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

The Roughriders defence played tough in 2018.

    The CFL contest was part of the various efforts to rally and support the Broncos in the wake of an April 6 team bus crash that resulted in the deaths of 16 players and team officials and injuries to 13 other players on the team.

    There was a vocal contingent of Roughriders fans that wondered what type of team they were cheering for. A consensus existed in the fan base that 2018 would be a non-playoff year.

    Fast forward five months and the Roughriders finished second overall in the CFL regular season and the West Division with a 12-6 mark. Had they won just one more game, they would have beat out the Calgary Stampeders for top spot overall in the league and first in the West Division.

Special teams ace Jordan Reaves emerged as a fan favourite.

    If any member of Rider Nation was told that would be the type of regular season the Roughriders would have, they would all likely sign up to take it.

    Unfortunately, the overall memory of the Roughriders in 2018 comes from their last game. In the West Division semifinal just seven days ago on Nov. 11, they dropped a 23-18 decision to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

    In the aftermath of that clash, there was a huge uproar over an unpenalized helmet-to-helmet shot hit delivered by Bombers defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat to Roughriders quarterback Brandon Bridge in the second last play of the game. That hit knocked Bridge out of the game.

    To add further insult to the Roughriders and their fans, the team lost starting quarterback Zach Collaros in the club’s final regular season game on Oct. 27, when he was hit helmet to helmet by British Columbia Lions defensive lineman Odell Willis in a 35-16 Saskatchewan victory.

QB Zach Collaros missed five total games due to injury in 2018.

    The uncontrollable aspects of the game mounted against the Roughriders at the end of their 2018 campaign.

    Still, they were likely two changed plays away from winning the playoff encounter against Winnipeg.

    In an idealistic world, it would be cool to see most of the roster return to see if they can improve on where they left off. Due to the realities of professional sports, there will likely be medium sized turnover at least.

    The Roughriders defence played strong in 2018. Players like defensive backs Jovon Johnson and Nick Marshall, defensive tackle Zack Evans, linebacker Samuel Eguavoen, and defensive ends Willie Jefferson and Charleston Hughes, despite his legal troubles with charges from an alleged diving under the influence incident that are before the courts, all had outstanding years.

Roughriders DB Jovon Johnson, second from left, was out in the community.

    All were great at dealing with the fans, and in the case of Johnson and Jefferson, getting out into the community.

    Brett Lauther, who was the team’s 28-year-old kicker, played a full CFL season for the first time in his life, and he made 54-of-60 field goal attempts with his long coming from 56 yards out. The Truno, N.S., product played well enough to earn a look from an NFL team. He deserves that chance to come his way.

    Special teams ace Jordan Reaves grew into a fan favourite with his hustle and the fact he got his nose dirty doing unglamourous work like blowing up blocks.

    On offence, the Roughriders bit the bullet and decided to go with a younger group of receivers, and they steadily improved as they gained experience as the campaign moved on. You pass catchers like Jordan Williams-Lambert and Kyran Moore were fun to watch.

Jordan Williams-Lambert, left, became a key receiver for the Roughriders.

    The ground game was in the capable hands of Tre Mason, Marcus Thigpen and Cameron Marshall.

    The offensive line had some ups and downs, but always had a steady base anchored by Brendon LaBatte and Dan Clark.

    If the Roughriders had more consistent play at quarterback, they would have placed first overall in the league. Bridge seemed to regress, which was unfortunate. Bridge is a phenomenal person who is easy to cheer for.

    Collaros appeared in 14 of the Roughriders regular season games and missed four regular season games and the club’s playoff contest due to injury. He was good at reading defences and had a good command of the offence.

HC and GM Chris Jones did a great job guiding the 2018 Roughriders.

    The Steubenville, Ohio, product seemed to struggle throwing the ball deep and throwing wide side outs. There were times opposing defences gave him those options and focused on defending short and intermediate routes expecting him to struggle with deep and wide side out throws.

    Seeing those physical flaws, a few Roughriders fans have gone public with a dream that the team might be able to sign soon to be free agent Edmonton Eskimos star quarterback Mike Reilly.

    Head coach and general manager Chris Jones often takes criticism from the fans. He has always been a great coach, and he is improving in the general manager’s role. Looking at the Roughriders over the past three seasons, Jones is proving to be a good hire by the club.

Rider Nation is always ready to back their team.

    An incoming football operations salary cap next season will mean Jones will be releasing some coaching staff and other football operations staff.

    In 2018, it seemed like the expectations for the Roughriders by the fans increased as the team’s win total grew larger.
    When a loss did happened, it seemed fan criticism went more overboard than normal, which is part of life being with the Roughriders.

    Overall, the campaign was a good one for the Roughriders, and it created a lot of excitement for the fans.

The Roughriders celebrated victory on 12 occasions in 2018.

    The good did overshadow the bad for the green and white in 2018.

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com.

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