Draisaitl, Morrissey and Scott locks on Raiders quarter century team

Ian Scott makes a kick save during a 2019 post-season game in Edmonton.

A Prince Albert Raiders quarter century all-star team from 2000-25 would be anchored by a trio who are automatics.

Leon Draisaitl, Josh Morrissey and Ian Scott would be locks on the Raiders quarter century team. Draisaitl is the high scoring centre and Morrissey is one of the best to ever play defence for the Raiders and both have had outstanding NHL careers.

In my 26 seasons covering the WHL, Scott would be one of the top three money goalies I’ve seen in my time on the overall circuit. He backstopped the Raiders to the WHL championship in the 2018-19 campaign, and I believe he would have had a long stint in the NHL had injury not cut short his playing career.

Since the calendar flipped over to 2025, various sports bodies and teams have been producing quarter century all-star teams. I was just recently looking at one created for the Prairie Football Conference of the CJFL produced by an independent outlet.

I’ve seen lists come out for the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders and some NHL teams. Jason Kerr here at the Herald suggested maybe I should come up with one for the Raiders.

It didn’t take me long to agree that it would be a fun idea. At some point, I think a lot of WHL teams will likely have a contest or create a marketing angle to select quarter-century all-star teams.

This column of mine appeared in the Prince Albert Daily Herald. To read the full article, feel free to click right here.

Hilltops grads face last hurrah

Hilltops OL Jordan Hydomako walks to the field with his parents.

    This is it.

    For 16 members of the Saskatoon Hilltops, they are enjoying their final days as players for the storied Canadian Junior Football League club. If the team goes all the way to host this year’s Canadian Bowl on Nov. 7, it means those fifth-year graduating players have at most 23 full days starting on Friday to enjoy suiting up for the blue and gold for practices and games. They only have at most 23 full days to enjoy spending time with their teammates.

    When Nov. 8 rolls around, there will definitely be no more practices or games to take part in as a CJFL player.

    The Hilltops begin their playoff run on Sunday, when they host the Winnipeg Rifles in a Prairie Football Conference semifinal contest at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Saskatoon topped the PFC regular season standings with a 7-1 mark, while Winnipeg finished fourth with a 4-4 record.

    On paper, the contest is a severe mismatch, as the Hilltops swept the two regular season meetings between the clubs outscoring the Rifles 115-17. The Toppers are expected to win this first contest on the post-season trail, but the results afterwards are not a sure thing.

    Even with that in mind, the veterans have to relish the limited time they have left and not take anything for granted including that playoff match with Winnipeg.

    The soon to be graduates include Blake Adams, Chad Braun, Nathan Heide, Tyrell Hering, Jordan Hydomako, Evan Kopchynski, Matt Kozun, Davis Mitchell, Preston Njaa, Quinn Pierce, Derek Sadownick, Brad Schnitzler, Terry Thesen, Austin Thorarinson, Brett Thorarinsson and Evan Turkington.

Hilltops LT Terry Thesen guides the way for Logan Fischer.

    They have had a huge hand in adding to the Hilltops proud legacy. During their years, the Hilltops claimed the Canadian Bowl three times, and they would all love to add a fourth title this season, which would be the team’s fifth CJFL championship in the last six years.

    The fact that the end is getting closer became more real during the Toppers final regular season home game last Sunday. In what has to be one of the most heartwarming annual traditions any sports team has in Canada, each graduating Hilltops vet was introduced to the crowd making the walk out of the tunnel with their parents. The parents were almost all decked out in cool looking team gear.

    That moment was definitely something the players and the parents will never forget, and it gives the parents recognition for the support they have given their boys over the years even before joining the blue and gold. A lot times, you can find the parents along with the players’ brother and sisters out watching practice in order to further share in the Hilltops experience.

    As the final days move on for the graduates, they will experience other memories they will never forget, and they won’t likely all revolve around winning games.

    The memories will include telling jokes between drills at practice at Ron Atchison Field or in the dressing room at the Hilltops clubhouse. Just being around the other guys, who become like family, will be a big thing that is missed. For anyone that has spent any around the Hilltops clubhouse, you can’t miss the family feeling atmosphere at that place.

    Going out into the community and being recognized is another thing that will be missed. The Hilltop players have always carried themselves with humility and class, but it always feels special to hear a good word from a complete stranger, who follows what the team does.

Brett Thorarinsson boots the ball away for the Hilltops.

    Not all the graduating veterans might be able to play these final playoff games, as like any football season the injury bug has something to say. The hearts of a lot of Toppers fans dropped when Adams, who has been an extremely popular member of the team’s star defensive line, suffered a left knee injury in the final regular season game and is questionable for the post-season.

    If they can’t play, the injured graduating players will likely be passing on encouragement and coaching tips to those that will fill their roles to keep adding to the Hilltops experience.

    The final days are indeed here for the graduating players, but the best time is still right now. You can be sure each will ensure every day is a good day, and as those good days add up, there is a good chance they will culminate with one last championship celebration memory on Nov. 7.

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

Hilltops hammer Huskies, improve to 6-0

The Hilltops defence pressures Edmonton QB Bradley Launhardt.

    The venerable Saskatoon Hilltops couldn’t have asked for a better way to cruise into their bye week.

    On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, quarterback Jared Andreychuk threw four touchdown passes to pace the Toppers to a 49-17 victory over the visiting Edmonton Huskies. With the win, the Hilltops improve to 6-0, and they have won their last 14 straight contests including regular season and playoff action dating back to last season.

    Saskatoon only needs to win or tie one of its last two regular season games to lock up first place in the Prairie Football Conference. The defending Canadian Football League champs would also lock up top spot in the conference if the Calgary Colts (3-2) suffer a loss or a tie in one of their final three games.

    In Sunday’s win over the Huskies (1-4), the Hilltops were paced by the steady play of Andreychuk, who completed 13-of-20 passes for 162 yards, four touchdown passes and no interceptions. Andreychuk hit Evan Turkington, Davis Mitchell and Tyson Sawatzky for scoring strikes in the first quarter. The fourth-year signal caller found running back Colin Stumborg on a 13-yard scoring toss in the second quarter before giving way to his backups early in the second half.

    Des Vessey ran in a major from 14 yards out, the Huskies conceded a safety and Brett Thorarinsson hit a 16-yard field goal to give Saskatoon a 40-0 lead. Edmonton kicker Cole Sabourin nailed a 45-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to cut the Hilltops lead to 40-3.

Jared Andreychuk fires a pass into the end zone for the Hilltops.

    The Hilltops increased their edge to 49-3 just 2:04 into the third quarter. The Huskies conceded another safety being pinned deep in their own end, and Hilltops rookie running back Adam Machart returned the ensuing kickoff 94 yards down the right sideline in front of the Edmonton bench for another major score.

    Edmonton had a couple of highlight moments in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Branden Modin intercepted Hilltops third string quarterback Brad Schnitzler and ran the ball back 40 yards for a touchdown to cut the Saskatoon lead to 49-10.

    Huskies quarterback Bradley Launhardt hooked up with receiver Darion Grymaloski on a 20-yard touchdown pass to close out the contest’s scoring. Launhardt had a solid day completing 19-of-32 passes for 203 yards, one touchdown toss and one interception.

    With the final result pretty much decided, the Hilltops played their reserves for most of the second half. Overall in the contest, the Hilltops had 10 different receivers catch a pass, nine different players carry the ball and four quarterbacks throw a pass. They only had 327 total yards of offence, with 264 of those being piled up in the first half.

    Turkington led the Toppers with 50 receiving yards on four catches. Vessey was Saskatoon’s top ground gainer with 36 yards on four carries.

    Grymaloski topped the Huskies with 54 receiving yards on three catches, while running back Jimmie Airey led all rushers with 81 yards on 18 carries.

Adam Machart returns a kickoff for a TD for the Hilltops.

    The Hilltops defence limited the Huskies to 307 yards of total offence. Joshua Melnyk, James Vause, Adam Benkic, Cameron Schnitzler and Blake Hermann tied for the Hilltops team lead in tackles in the contest at three. Hilltops rookie defensive back Ryan Melnyk had an interception in the fourth quarter.

    Saskatoon also went deep into the playbook, which included Brad Schnitzler completing a pass for a first down on a fake field goal in the first quarter.

    The Hilltops return to action on Oct. 4, when they travel to Edmonton to take on the Wildcats (1-4). Saskatoon closes the regular season hosting the Colts on Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

    If you want to pass along any comments about this blog post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com. Check Twitter for more game photos @StanksSports.

Hilltops' Fischer goes beast mode on Thunder

The Hilltops' Logan Fischer was too much for the Thunder to handle.

    The Saskatoon Hilltops unleashed “The Beast” in Logan Fischer on the Regina Thunder.

    The third-year tailback had a career night rushing for 293 yards on 32 carries to help the Toppers down their provincial rivals 35-17 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on Saturday night. Fischer ran around, past and through the Thunder defenders, and he also caught a pair of passes for 26 yards in the Canadian Junior Football League battle. His efforts grew in importance as the night progressed.

    The two clubs began Saturday’s clash playing in cool but fairly pleasant conditions. A mist began to fall during the second quarter, and it turned into a monsoon for the entire second half.

    The heavier rainy weather worked out in favour of the Hilltops, who were locked in a 14-14 tie with the Thunder at halftime, but rolled to victory as the conditions worsened.

    The Thunder, who have a strong passing game and like to favour it, saw their aerial show get grounded.

    The Hilltops pounded their way to victory thanks to Fischer’s numerous gritty runs. He also benefited from the fact the Toppers offensive line blocked well, and the receivers did their part to seal off Regina’s defensive backs.

Logan Fischer piled up 293 yards rushing for the Hilltops.

    When the two teams began their fight for top spot in the Prairie Football Conference, it appeared the game would be a tight affair.

    Regina controlled the contest for much of the first quarter and took a 7-0 edge, when quarterback Jaeden Marwick slipped a nine-yard outlet pass to an uncovered Colton Klassen. The scoring drive was aided by the fact Marwick connected with receiver Kasim Ocaya on a 49-yard bomb.

    Momentum changed early in the second quarter, when Marwick was intercepted near midfield by Hilltops cornerback Arnold Osam. Osam ran the ball back to the Regina 22, and on the ensuing play, Hilltops quarterback Jared Andreychuk hit wide receiver Chad Braun in the end zone to tie the contest up 7-7.

    A short time later, the Thunder appeared to wrestle momentum back in their favour blocking a Saskatoon punt and recovering the ball on the Hilltops five. Two plays later, Marwick hit Thomas Bresciani on a short four-yard TD toss to put the visitors up 14-7.

    Saskatoon tied things up shortly before the first half came to an end. After a short Regina punt, the Hilltops started a drive on the Thunder’s side of midfield and tied the contest up 14-14 on a three yard run by Fischer with 49.7 seconds to play.

    When the downpour of rain came at the start of the second half, the Hilltops jumped ahead 28-14. First, Andreychuk hit Evan Kopchynski on an 18-yard strike, and the signal caller later ran in for a major from nine yards out.

    Kristopher Calcutt kicked a short 12-yard field goal for the Thunder before the third quarter ended to cut the Saskatoon lead to 28-17.

Jared Andreychuk (#5) celebrates a TD run with his teammates in a monsoon.

    The Hilltops iced the game just past the midway point of the fourth quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by starting right guard Drayke Unger, who went as a fullback for the short yardage situation.

    While Fischer was the game’s star, Andreychuk completed 9-of-18 passes for 158 yards including his two touchdown tosses. He managed to avoid throwing an interception in the adverse conditions.

Marwick completed 15-of-25 passes for 184 yards, two touchdown strikes and two picks. Klassen was the top ground gainer for the Thunder running for 83 yards on 17 carries.

    With the win, the Hilltops improve to 4-0, while the Thunder fall to 3-1. The two rivals meet again this coming Saturday at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

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