2023 NHL Entry Draft will be memorable for WHL

Connor Bedard went first overall in the NHL Entry Draft.

The 2023 NHL Entry Draft will be remembered as two of the WHL’s best days.

Of course, the 33 players who were selected from the WHL in the NHL Entry Draft on Wednesday and Thursday in Nashville, Tennessee, still have to skate out careers in hockey’s top professional league. With that said, it wouldn’t be a surprise to look back on this year’s NHL Entry Draft a couple of decades from now, and one would reflect on it being a great one for the WHL.

No matter what happens in the future, this NHL Entry Draft will be known as the one where Regina Pats phenom centre Connor Bedard, who will turn 18-years-old on July 17, was selected first overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. The North Vancouver, B.C., product might have been the most watched junior aged player ever over the three campaigns he played with the Pats.

In his three seasons with the Pats, Bedard, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 185 pounds, appeared in 134 career regular season games posting 134 goals and 137 assists for 271 points to go with a plus-48 rating in the plus-minus department. That included recording 71 goals and 72 assists for 143 points to go with a plus-39 rating for this past regular season. His goal and point totals were tops in the WHL and his assist total equaled Prince George Cougars star centre and Saskatoon area product Riley Heidt for the league lead.

Bedard proceeded to have a monster post-season series posting 10 goals, 10 assists and a plus-eight rating in the WHL Playoffs as the Pats fell in seven games in a best-of-seven first round series to the Saskatoon Blades. The Blades claimed a 4-1 victory in a series deciding Game 7 on April 10 at the SaskTel Centre before a sellout crowd of 14,768 spectators.

Connor Bedard had 271 points in 134 WHL career regular season games.

His stock really took off at this past world juniors held in Halifax, N.S., and Moncton, N.B. Bedard set numerous Canadian team records helping Canada take the gold medal final 3-2 in overtime over Czechia this past January 5 in Halifax.

Bedard was named the most valuable player at world juniors along with picking up accolades being named the event’s best forward and a tournament all-star.

His tallies for assists (14) and points (23) were new Canadian records for a single world juniors along with setting a new record for points in a tournament by any player aged 18 or younger. In 16 career games played at world juniors, Bedard set new Canadian career records at the event for goals (16) and points (36).

Upon returning to the Pats, Bedard usually played in front of sold out rinks or record crowds wherever he was during the final four months he played in the WHL. There were public appearances in Regina where he would spend six hours signing autographs. Bedard experienced characteristics of fandom that were unheard of for junior hockey and often things you only saw in the NHL in Canadian cities for players like Oilers phenom centre Connor McDavid in Edmonton.

Bedard handled the fandom that came his way in humble and spectacular fashion, which is something most his age wouldn’t be able to do.

Brayden Yager is a first round selection of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Bedard headed a 17-year-old class in the WHL this past season that might be the deepest the circuit had ever seen with that age group. Two potential big future NHL stars from the Saskatoon area include centres Brayden Yager and Heidt.

Yager, who turned 18-years-old in early January, piled up 28 goals and 50 assists in 67 regular season games for the Moose Jaw Warriors in 2022-23 to go with a plus-six rating. He went in the first round and 14^th overall to the Pittsburgh Penguins. Yager just might be one of those star players that leads the Penguins in an era after Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang.

Heidt appeared in all 68 regular season games with the Prince George Cougars in 2022-23, and he had 25 goals to go with his 72 assists for 97 points. He was selected in the second round and 64^th overall by the Minnesota Wild.

Due to the fact it is not easy to travel to Prince George, Heidt, who turned 18-years-old in March, wasn’t seen by scouts as much as the other players taken in the NHL Entry Draft. Had he been seen more playing on a team located on the Trans-Canada Highway, he likely would have been selected earlier in the draft.

Tanner Molendyk is a first round draft pick of the Nashville Predators.

One of the most astute picks in the first round might ultimately belonged to the Nashville Predators, when they took Saskatoon Blades defenceman Tanner Molendyk. Molendyk, who turned 18-years-old in February, appeared in 67 regular season games in 2022-23 with the Blades posting nine goals, 28 assists and a plus-31 rating.

He is one of the smoothest skaters among those in the 17-year-old age group this past season, and he has steadily improved as his WHL career has progressed. In the 18 games the Blades played in the 2023 WHL Playoffs, Molendyk posted three goals, five assists and a plus-two rating.

Where Molendyk really turned heads was in the Blades seven game first round series win over the Pats. Molendyk and defensive partner and Blades captain Aidan De La Gorgendiere, who turned 21-years-old in February, were matched up against Bedard every time the Blades coaching staff could get them out against the Pats captain.

While Bedard put up impressive point totals, Molendyk handed that challenge better than anyone could in junior hockey, and he came out of that series with just a minus-one rating despite the offensive numbers put up by Bedard. For anyone that saw Molendyk play in those games, they had to believe he was someone they needed to draft.

The Anaheim Ducks drafted Egor Sidorov in the third round.

Blades import right-winger Egor Sidorov was one of the players from this past season’s 18-year-old class that heard his name called at the NHL Entry Draft. A year ago, Sidorov was passed over in the NHL Entry Draft. He ensured he wasn’t going to be passed over this year.

During the 2022-23 campaign, Sidorov appeared in 53 regular season games with the Blades recording 40 goals, 36 assists and a plus-25 rating. He posted nine goals, 10 assists and a plus-three rating appearing in 16 games in the 2023 WHL Playoffs for the Blades.

Sidorov, who turned 19-years-old on June 18, was selected in the third round and 85^th overall by the Anaheim Ducks.

On the more gritty front, Prince Albert Raiders defenceman Terrell Goldsmith was taken in the fourth round and 102^nd overall by the Arizona Coyotes. Goldsmith, who turned 18-years-old in May, appeared in 58 regular season games with the Raiders in 2022-23 recording three goals, six assists, a minus-six rating and 102 penalty minutes.

Goldsmith is a defensive-defenceman that brings an imposing physical game that is aided by the fact he stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 220 pounds. NHL teams are looking for players to make life miserable in front of their net for opposing players, and Goldsmith can certainly do that.

Terrell Goldsmith was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes.

A number of other players from the WHL taken in this year’s NHL Entry Draft have the potential to be outstanding picks. They include centre Zach Benson of the Winnipeg Ice who are now the Wenatchee Wild going to the Buffalo Sabres in the first round and 13^th overall.

Other astute selections included the Predators selecting centre Kalan Lind of the Red Deer Rebels in the second round and 46^th overall, the Seattle Kraken picking defenceman Caden Price of the Kelowna Rockets in the fourth round and 84^th overall, the San Jose Sharks nabbing defenceman Luca Cagnoni of the Portland Winterhawks in the fourth round and 123^rd overall, the Wild getting defenceman Kalem Parker of the Victoria Royals in the sixth round and 181^st overall and the Washington Capitals selecting left-winger Brett Hyland of the Brandon Wheat Kings in the seventh round and 200^th overall.

One of the coolest moments was seeing the Winnipeg Jets take netminder Thomas Milic of the Seattle Thunderbirds in the fifth round and 151^st overall. Milic, who turned 20-years-old in April, was overlooked due to his lack of size as he stands 6-feet and weighs 179 pounds. NHL clubs often look for a goaltender who stands usually about 6-foot-3 minimum and will pass up smaller goalies including ones that can stop the puck.

Milic backstopped the Thunderbirds to the WHL Championship Series in each of the past two seasons. The Thunderbirds captured the WHL title this past season downing the Ice in five games in a best-of-seven championship series. 

Zach Benson was a first round pick of the Buffalo Sabres.

In the Memorial Cup tournament that determines a CHL champion that was held in Kamloops B.C., Milic backstopped the Thunderbirds to the event’s championship game this past June 4, where they fell 5-0 to the QMJHL champion Quebec Remparts.

On top of his post-season success with the Thunderbirds, Milic backstopped Canada to its gold medal win at this past world juniors.

During the 2022-23 regular season, Milic, who is from Coquitlam, B.C., appeared in 33 games for the Thunderbirds posting a 27-3-2 record, a 2.08 goals against average, a .928 save percentage and four shutouts. He appeared in all of the Thunderbirds 19 games in the WHL Playoffs posting a 16-3 record, a 1.95 goals against average, a .933 save percentage and one shutout.

At the Memorial Cup tournament, Milic played in all the Thunderbirds five games at that event posting a 3-2 record, a 2.41 goals against average and a .915 save percentage.

In Canada’s run to winning gold at this past world juniors, Milic appeared in six games posting a 5-0 record, a 1.76 goals against average and a .932 save percentage. Voted the WHL’s Top Goaltender and a first team CHL all-star, Milic has pretty much done almost all you can do at the junior level and more than most will ever do.

Thomas Milic was selected by the Jets in the NHL Entry Draft.

It would have been a crime had he not gotten an NHL shot. It is heartwarming to see he will get his chance to make his NHL dream come true.

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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Valkyries overcame adversities in perfect 2023 campaign

QB Alex Eyolfson (#15) calls a play in the Valkyries’ huddle.

In no particular order, leadership, depth and coaching saw the Saskatoon Valkyries through to a perfect season in 2023.

Saskatoon’s powerhouse women’s football team never seemed to lose a step navigating towards an 8-0 overall record. The Valkyries concluded the campaign on Saturday blanking the Calgary Rage 40-0 in the WWCFL Championship Game at Griffiths Stadium.

The win marked the third consecutive time the Valkyries claimed the WWCFL title and the eighth time overall since the league’s inception in 2011.

The Valkyries were challenged along the way in 2023. On May 14, they traveled to Winnipeg and grinded out a 26-14 victory over an inspired Manitoba Fearless side. On June 18 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries had to hold off their provincial rivals the Regina Riot 19-9 in the Prairie Conference final.

Michelle Duchene, left, has put in countless hours building female football. 

As the Valkyries were going about their business in a convincing win over the Rage, another realization hit looking at the Saskatoon sidelines at Griffiths Stadium on Saturday. There were some important star players helping out on the Valkyries bench area wearing their game uniforms over their street clothes.

That was a sign that those players were kept out of game action due to various injuries. Some of those players who were out missed a sizable part of the campaign due to their injuries.

HC Pat Barry and his staff have kept the Valkyries rolling.

Arguably, the biggest missing player was star fourth year receiver Haley Girolami, who might be the best pass catcher in the women’s game in Canada. In the Valkyries regular season opening 34-7 win over the Riot on May 7 at SMF Field, Girolami hauled in nine passes for 111 yards and one touchdown.

She was so impressive in that game one wondered just how good of a season she was going to have in 2023. Just seven days later in the Valkyries road win over the Fearless, Girolami was lost for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

The Valkyries were also without star receiver Rachelle Smith for the entire regular season and post-season. The WWCFL veteran is a big time playmaker who was on all three of the Riot’s WWCFL title winning teams before joining the Valkyries for their WWCFL Championship season in 2019 and has remained with the Saskatoon side since.

The loss of Haley Girolami to injury was a big blow to the Valkyries.

On defence, star linebacker Jamie Wingate missed the entire regular season and post-season due to injury. Her absence left a sizable hole on the defence.

Rookie defensive back Kaylin O’Neill went down with a leg injury in the Valkyries regular season win over the Fearless. Savanna Spendiff was excelling in her first year playing on the Valkyries offensive line, but she went down with a knee injury in the Prairie Conference final win over the Riot.

Those types of injuries would have put any other team’s championship aspirations on ice. The Valkyries were able to march on due to their depth.

QB Alex Eyolfson gave positive leadership to the Valkyries offence.

That depth partially came from the work of the only general manager the Valkyries have ever known in Michelle Duchene and the countless hours she has spent building women’s football in Saskatoon. The female flag football system operated through Saskatoon Minor Football has helped funnel players to the Valkyries. Duchene’s leadership helped make that possible.

The Valkyries coaching staff under the direction of head coach Pat Barry has brought newcomers up to speed quickly when it comes to learning the game. That has helped build the Valkyries depth.

Emmarae Dale, left, gave upbeat leadership to the Valkyries defence.

Barry is aided by an astute staff that includes defensive coordinator Wyatt Carleton and Marci Halseth and Jack Sloboda, who shared in the offensive coordinator duties. The coaching staff has ensured new players are ready to step in and make an impact when injuries happen.

On the field, the Valkyries have been able to rely on the leadership of a couple of players who joined the club as youngsters in the team’s 2016 WWCFL title winning campaign in quarterback Alex Eyolfson and middle linebacker Emmarae Dale.

Sarah Wright continued to pile up big yards for the Valkyries.

Right from when she joined the Valkyries, Eyolfson has and continues to radiate a vibe that makes you feel like everything is going to be alright even if things go wrong. She quickly mastered guiding an offence, and she might be the best quarterback in the women’s game in Canada.

Dale immediately displayed an uplifting vibe and a positive demeanor. She still displays an explosive athletic ability that turns heads and saw her join the CJFL’s storied and historic Saskatoon Hilltops for the 2021 campaign. Dale might be the best in the women’s game in Canada today.

The presence of Eyolfson and Dale everything on the field stays sorted out and in order. They were aided by a good core group that has been together since 2019.

Makayla Sader has become part of the Valkyries core group.

On offence, the Valkyries were still able to turn to star running back Sarah Wright and veteran star pass catchers Ricki Obed and Reed Thorstad to make plays. The offensive line is anchored by four star veterans in right tackle Betsy Mawdsley, centre Alex Wojcichowsky, left guard Lauren Ferguson and left tackle Alyssa Funk.

On defence, Danaye Holynski continues to create havoc for the opposition at defensive end. The defence has been bolstered with a couple of veteran receivers switching over to defensive back in Kelsey Murphy and Danielle Girolami.

The Valkyries are progressing to the point where a large group of players in their second and third years with the team can now be considered as steady veterans who are part of the core group. That group includes receiver/kicker Grace McCorriston, running back/kicker Drew Lundquist and utility player Arden Kliewer.

Grace McCorriston (#82) has become a solid receiver and kicker.

Defensive back Makayla Sader, linebackers Jackie Semple-Dyck, Kennedy Mann and Sydney Schenn are now part of that core group too along with Emry Halbgewachs and Grace Farthing on the defensive line. 

Returnee defensive tackle Carla Stevenson has become part of that core group too. She helped the Valkyries win a WWCFL title in their second year of existence in 2012, took a leave of absence from the team before rejoining the club in 2021.

Rookies came through for the Valkyries too in 2023. Brianna Hammett on the offensive line, Michaella Applin on the defensive line, Mykayla Laroque at cornerback and Jaimyn Mantyka at safety all stepped in to give the Valkyries big performances.

Thanks to leadership, depth and coaching, the Valkyries were able to overcome some fairly key injuries and preserver in a couple of tough games that could have sent the season in another direction. The undefeated Valkyries ended becoming better in their journey of overcoming the adversity they faced.

The Valkyries celebrate a third straight WWCFL title on Saturday.

It is expected they will return a strong core of players in 2024. That should give them a good start in their quest for a four-peat, which the team accomplished in the WWCFL’s first four years of existence from 2011 to 2014.

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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Valkyries already thinking WWCFL title four-peat

The Valkyries O-line crew poses with the WWCFL championship trophy.

As the realization of a three-peat settled in, the Saskatoon Valkyries already had visions of a four-peat dancing in their heads.

On Saturday, the Valkyries concluded their 2023 campaign with a perfect 8-0 overall record blanking the Calgary Rage 40-0 in the WWCFL Championship Game at Griffiths Stadium. The win allowed the Valkyries to improve their overall winning streak to 27 games including two forfeit victories and capture the WWCFL title the last three times it has been up for grabs including 2022 and 2019.

Alex Eyolfson fires a pass downfield for the Valkyries.

The WWCFL title wasn’t contested in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that had gripped the world. In the 11 times a WWCFL champion has been crowned since the league’s inception in 2011, the Valkyries have claimed eight of those titles.

Now, the Valkyries have their sights set on winning a fourth consecutive WWCFL title in 2024. Saskatoon won the WWCFL title the first four times it was awarded from 2011 to 2014. Star running back Sarah Wright, who has played in the Valkyries last three WWCFL championship winners, said it hasn’t been hard to keep the motivation fresh going into each new season.

“I think we all do in a sense,” said Wright, who has been with the Valkyries since 2017. “I think we’ve got the best core group of girls that all are so competitive that want to get the next championship.

Sarah Wright (#88) has piled up big yards as the Valkyries star RB.

“We all feed off of each other, so I think it has never been an issue. We kind of keep each other up to that elite level.”

The Valkyries run of three straight WWCFL title wins has been powered by the fact they have strong group of veterans who have played for a number of years. Alex Eyolfson has been the team’s regular quarterback since her rookie year in 2016, when the Valkyries won their fifth WWCFL title. She has become a star as her playing career has gone on.

She is surrounded by a good veteran crew in Wright and talented group of receivers that includes Haley Girolami, Reed Thorstad, Ricki Obed and Rachelle Smith. Girolami and Smith were out with injuries for most of the 2023 campaign.

Alyssa Funk has been a stellar left tackle for the Valkyries.

The Valkyries offensive line has a quartet of veteran stars in Alyssa Funk, Lauren Ferguson, Alex Wojcichowsky and Betsy Mawdsley.

Saskatoon’s defence has been anchored by star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale, who joined the squad in 2016. Defensive end Danaya Holynski and defensive tackle Carla Stevenson have provided the Valkyries valuable experience. Kelsey Murphy and Danielle Girolami both started out as receivers before converting to defensive back, but have shown their versatility for a long time.

Valkyries head coach Pat Barry said the veteran presence helps, but the Valkyries have also benefited from newcomers who have joined the team each year and have been quick learners.

Valkyries star MLB Emmarae Dale makes tonnes of big plays.

“We have leadership,” said Barry. “I’ve mentioned before more than half of our team wasn’t on the team in 2019 when this run started.

“It is pretty exciting.”

Barry said the Valkyries still faced adversity even with being undefeated this season. During the regular season, the Valkyries traveled to Winnipeg on May 14 and battled out a 26-14 victory against an inspired Manitoba Fearless side.

The Valkyries also had to hold off their provincial rivals the Regina Riot 19-9 in the Prairie Conference final held on June 18 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field in another tough outing.

“We had a 10-point game (against Regina in the Prairie Conference final),” said Barry. “Earlier in the season, we went to Winnipeg and had a very close game with them.

The Valkyries defence was pumped to get a shutout on Saturday.

“Those are challenges, but they were able to achieve their goals.”

Wright said the Valkyries don’t settle for anything less than reaching the top. She said the feeling after a championship win is still an ultimate topper that gets better as the title count grows.

“I think it just keeps getting sweeter,” said Wright. “We’ve been making a really good core group, and it is just so much fun to play with all of them.

“We’re always so excited for the next year.”

Grace McCorriston (#82) boots a 21 yard field goal on Saturday.

Wright said the players on the Valkyries usually start thinking about next season fairly quickly. She said the majority of the players on the team play in adult flag leagues, and that helps keep the tackle season on everyone’s mind.

“A lot of us play a lot of flag, which is awesome,” said Wright. “It kind of keeps us kind of in shape and obviously thinking football all throughout the summer and winter.

“When we come back to Valkyries, you can just tell how much it translates over.”

Barry said the Valkyries will star holding training sessions in January to start preparing for the 2024 campaign. He said they would like to get an early exhibition game in that would double as a team bonding trip in part way to the lead up to the 2024 WWCFL season.

The Valkyries celebrate a second TD on Saturday from Ricki Obed (#28).

“We’re hoping to do maybe an interesting trip somewhere,” said Barry. “We’re not sure where.

“We might go somewhere hot in the winter time and play an exhibition game. That is our goal.”

While attention is turning towards 2024, Wright is still soaking in the accomplishments from 2023.

“The next one is always the best one,” said Wright. “I’m so proud of our team.

“They (the coaches) said something like 160 days we’ve been playing together this year, so it is so nice to come win 40-nothing on our last one.”

Nose surgery didn’t keep Sader from WWCFL final

Makayla Sader came up with two turnovers on Saturday.

Makayla Sader was pumped to finish her 2023 season with the Saskatoon Valkyries on the field.

Following the team’s first three regular season games, Sader had surgery on her nose for a non-football related medical issue. The third year defensive back resumed regular practice in the week leading up to the WWCFL final.

On Saturday, Sader took the field starting at her customary boundary cornerback position wearing a visor on her helmet. She recorded an interception, one fumble recovery and one solo tackle in her team’s 40-0 victory over the Calgary Rage in the WWCFL Championship Game at Griffiths Stadium.

The win marked the second time Sader was a part of a WWCFL title win with the Valkyries having helped the storied squad win a league title last year.

“This year was hard for me having that nose surgery, because I did miss the last few weeks,” said Sader. “Involvement wise, it was hard to be around the last few weeks before championship, but definitely, I think the DBs got closer as a team as we progressed through the season.

“We all became super close. Defence is always all buddy, buddy and best friends.”

Valkyries head coach Pat Barry was pleased to see Sader return and have big game.

“It was exciting,” said Barry. “Makayla just came off of a surgery on her nose.

“She had a visor on. We were awful worried about her, but yeah, I’m just pretty proud of how touch she is.”

Sader said she got winded after getting hit on her seven-yard interception return against the Rage. Still, she said that play gives her a great story to tell for years to come and a championship winning day she will never forget.

“It was definitely worth it,” said Sader. “I think that was my first pick.

“It fricken felt awesome. I can’t wait to get another one.”

Girolami’s switch offence to defence results in memorable pick

Danielle Girolami (#10) runs back an interception on Saturday.

Danielle Girolami showed she still has a good set of pass catching hands in the WWCFL Championship Game.

Girolami started out as a receiver with the Valkyries in 2018. She developed into an accomplished pass catcher helping the Valkyries win a WWCFL title in 2019.

Following that season, Girolami switched over to defensive back as the 2020 and 2021 WWCFL campaigns were ultimately lost due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world. The Valkyries did play a three-game exhibition series against their provincial rivals in the Regina Riot in 2021.

Girolami debuted as a defensive back in that three-game series. As a defensive back, Girolami helped the Valkyries win a WWCFL title in 2022.

On Saturday, Girolami recorded an interception and a team leading six total tackles as the Valkyries blanked the Calgary Rage 40-0 in the WWCFL Championship Game at Griffiths Stadium for a third consecutive league championship.

“I have to say this one is pretty exciting,” said Girolami. “I started as a receiver, so coming over to defence, every year I think we are able to just get more confident and work together.

“To get the third win in a row, it is pretty exciting, because I don’t think it happens too often. It is great.”

While Girolami’s comfort level in playing defensive back is the highest it has ever been, she is more proud of the success the Valkyries have had as a team. For the defensive unit, she was pumped they were able to get a shutout in the WWCFL final against the Rage.

“It was awesome,” said Girolami. “We’ve been working hard all year.

“When you practice against our offence who are just great to be able to work all year and show what we have in this last game and keep them to zero was pretty great.”

Girolami is no stranger when it comes to winning championships. Before joining the Valkyries, Girolami played defence for the Saskatoon Stars Under-18 AAA Hockey Team for three seasons from 2013 to 2016. She helped the Stars win provincial titles in 2015 and 2016.

Girolami remembers all her championship winning days and said Saturday’s win over the Rage will be one she will always recall.

“I don’t think I will ever forget it,” said Girolami. “I won’t forget this team that is for sure.”

Murphy, “Biscuit” holdovers from 2014 title win, other notes

Alex Wojcichowsky (#61) pass protects for the Valkyries.

Kelsey Murphy and Alex Wojcichowsky hold a unique distinction due to their longevity with the Saskatoon Valkyries.

On Saturday, the veteran pair of players helped the Saskatoon Valkyries win the WWCFL title blanking the Calgary Rage 40-0 at Griffiths Stadium. The win gave the Valkyries a third consecutive WWCFL championship.

The two players are the only holdovers from the last Valkyries team in 2014 to win a WWCFL title at Griffiths Stadium. When the Valkyries blanked the Lethbridge Steel 53-0 to claim the WWCFL title at Griffiths Stadium on July 5, 2014, Murphy was a rookie and Wojcichowsky, whose nickname is “Biscuit,” was in her second year with the club.

Murphy remained a member of the Valkyries roster since her rookie season. She started out as a running back, switched over to receiver for a number of years before becoming a defensive back. On special teams, Murphy has returned kicks for a lengthy part of her career.

In 2023, Murphy had a strong campaign that included a couple of memorable interceptions in the regular season. In the WWCFL final, the Rage mainly avoided going to Murphy’s area of the field resulting in her making one solo tackle. She returned two punts for 33 yards on special teams.

Kelsey Murphy has won five WWCFL titles with the Valkyries.

Murphy has played on five Valkyries WWCFL championship teams with the title wins coming in 2014, 2016, 2019, 2022 and 2023.

Wojcichowsky started playing with the Valkyries on the offensive line in 2013. In her rookie campaign, the Valkyries captured the WWCFL title with a 27-13 victory over the Lethbridge Steel on June 15, 2013 at historic Taylor Field in Regina.

Wojcichowsky continued to play for the Valkyries finding a regular role at centre on the offensive line through to the end of the 2017 season having been a member of the WWCFL title winning teams in 2014 and 2016. She became one of the team’s trainers and was on the training staff for the 2019 WWCFL championship win.

The urge to play came once again, and Wojcichowsky suited up to play on the offensive line for the Valkyries starting with their three game exhibition series against the Regina Riot in 2021. She helped the Valkyries win WWCFL titles in 2022 and 2023 to be a part of five WWCFL championship wins as a player and one as a trainer.

Away from football, Wojcichowsky was a trainer for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Women’s Hockey Team for two seasons from 2015 to 2017. For the fun fact in the Valkyries 2016 game program, Wojcichowsky said she was trying to master the art of skate sharpening referring to her role with the Huskies.

• Valkyries defensive tackle Carla Stevenson played for the team when they won their second WWCFL title with a 64-21 victory in the league championship game on July 14, 2012 at Griffiths Stadium. Following that season, Stevenson departed the team and rejoined the Valkyries after a lengthy absence in 2021 for their three-game series against the Riot. Stevenson proceeded to help the Valkyries win WWCFL titles in 2022 and this past Saturday.
• The Valkyries won last year’s WWCFL title game 36-6 over the Winnipeg based Manitoba Fearless on June 24 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.
• The Rage’s roster on Saturday contained two of the all-time greats in women’s football in Canada in Erin Walton and Lisa Gomes. Walton has played running back, quarterback, receiver and on the offensive line during her lengthy career. She suited up for Canada at the International Federation of American Football’s Women’s World Championship tournaments in 2010 and 2013. Gomes played running back for most of her career. She has also been a receiver and played defence. She represented Canada at the IFAF Women’s World Championship tournament in 2017. Canada won silver medals in the 2010, 2013 and 2017 tournaments.
• In the Valkyries 40-0 WWCFL Championship Game victory over the Rage on Saturday, the Valkyries had a 311-62 advantage in net offensive yards. The Valkyries also had a key edge in the punt return game that helped set up some short fields. They had 100 total yards in punt returns, while the Rage had 29 yards on punt returns.
• Valkyries star left tackle Alyssa Funk got to carry the ball once for three yards in Saturday’s WWCFL Championship Game win. Funk first started playing with the Valkyries in 2015. She was a member of Canada’s teams that played at the IFAF Women’s World Championship tournaments in 2017 and 2022. Canada won silver in 2017 and fell 19-17 to host Finland in the bronze medal game in 2022.
• The Valkyries had a number of alums turn out to Griffiths Stadium on Saturday to watch their 40-0 victory over the Calgary Rage in the WWCFL Championship Game. One of the alums that made the longest trip was former receiver/kicker Carly Dyck, who came from Lethbridge, Alta. Dyck, who is from Lethbridge, started playing for the Valkyries in 2015 when she was attending the University of Saskatchewan. Dyck remained with Valkyries through the end of the 2018 campaign. She helped the Valkyries win a WWCFL title in 2016 with an 81-6 victory over the Edmonton Storm in Lethbridge. Dyck played for Canada’s silver medal winning team at the IFAF Women’s World Championship in 2017. Before joining the Valkyries, Dyck played three seasons from 2012 to 2014 for her hometown Lethbridge Steel.

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Valkyries’ Day – Saskatoon snowballs momentum for third straight WWCFL title

The Valkyries raise the WWCFL championship trophy in celebration.

Winning WWCFL championships never gets old for the Saskatoon Valkyries, and neither does going on game-changing runs of momentum.

Taking on the Calgary Rage in the WWCFL Championship Game on Saturday at Griffiths Stadium, the Valkyries made the Alberta side pay a huge price for the mistakes they made. The Valkyries rolled three key Rage miscues into a 21-0 lead just 80 seconds into the second quarter of the league championship clash.

Saskatoon proceeded to cruise to a 40-0 victory from that point to claim a third consecutive WWCFL title and their eighth league championship in team history.

Makayla Sader returns an interception for the Valkyries.

“It is a credit to our team,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry. “Our athletes, they work so hard.

“We were talking about it before the game. January is when we start. Here at the end of June, we got to our goal, and we were successful.”

The Valkyries claimed their previous league championships in the run of three consecutive wins last year and 2019. The WWCFL’s 2020 and 2021 campaigns were cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world. The Valkyries were able to play a three-game exhibition series against their provincial rivals the Regina Riot in 2021.

Saturday’s victory allowed the Valkyries to conclude their 2023 campaign with a perfect 8-0 record overall. The Valkyries have won their last 27 games in a row including two forfeit victories.

Danielle Girolami intercepts a pass for the Valkyries.

“It gets better every year for sure,” said Valkyries defensive back Makayla Sader, who enjoyed her second straight WWCFL title win with the Saskatoon powerhouse club. “I just say it gets more and more exciting.

“Just with the group of girls that I am with and just constantly growing as a team and DBs always having new girls coming and vets going, it is just awesome to always have a good group of ladies to win with.”

At the start of Saturday’s title tilt, the Rage defence came out with an inspired start. The Valkyries had the game’s first offensive possession, and the Rage forced the Saskatoon side to punt after two plays.

On ensuing punt play, the Rage special teams unit was flagged for having too many players on the field giving the Valkyries a first down. The Rage defence came back out on the field and forced the Valkyries defence to punt again after two plays.

Sarah Wright runs in her first of two touchdowns on the ground.

Calgary proceeded to face a punting situation after two plays on its first offensive possession. At that point, the Valkyries momentum began to gather up force.

After a bad snap, Calgary punter Jolene Goulard corralled and fell on the loose ball at her team’s own three yard-line.

Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright ran home a touchdown from three yards out to put the host side up 7-0 at the 3:40 mark of the first quarter.

Later in the first quarter, Goulard looked like she would put a halt to the Valkyries momentum blocking a 28-yard field goal attempt by Saskatoon kicker/receiver Grace McCorriston. Goulard was hurt on the play, but only missed a short spurt of game action.

Morgan Lindstein sets to throw a pass for the Rage.

Her missed time included a punt play on the Rage’s ensuing possession. Rage utility player Erin Walton came in to punt, but her kick was a medium-ranged one that the Valkyries were able to return inside the Calgary 20 yard-line.

The Valkyries capped the ensuing short offensive possession with a second three yard touchdown run from Wright to push the host side’s advantage to 14-0 with 2:42 remaining in the first quarter.

“Obviously, there are always some (pre-game) nerves, and I think that is something that is a part of every good team,” said Wright, who has been with the Valkyries for their last three straight WWCFL title wins. “You’re always preparing for what the other team is bringing, and we know Calgary is a hard team.

Alex Eyolfson fires her second of two touchdown passes on Saturday.

“They come and hit hard. We prepared for that, and we showed what we could do.”

Early in the second quarter, Sader intercepted Rage quarterback Morgan Lindstein to set the Valkyries up inside the Calgary 50 yard-line. The Valkyries ensuing offensive series concluded with star quarterback Alex Eyolfson hitting star receiver Ricki Obed with a 37 yard pass-and-run touchdown reception to increase the Valkyries lead to 21-0.

Sader admitted her interception helped push the Valkyries momentum to another level.

Ricki Obed goes into the end zone on her second TD reception.

“I definitely got winded, but the interception itself it had me going,” said Sader, who had a fumble recovery for the Valkyries in the win. “It had all the ladies going.

“As soon as we got one, our next goal is to get at least two picks. It just riled everybody up to just keep fighting for it, and we did. We got them.”

When Goulard got back into the game, she had to deal with another bad snap on a punt play that went into the Rage end zone. She managed to kick the ball out the back of the end zone giving up a safety to allow the Valkyries lead to grow to 23-0.

With 2:20 remaining in the second quarter, Eyolfson connected with Obed on a 14-yard touchdown toss to push Saskatoon’s lead out to 30-0.

Part of the crowd at Griffiths Stadium that came to cheer on the Valkyries.

In the third quarter, Valkyries defensive back Danielle Girolami intercepted a Lindstein pass and set up the Saskatoon offence inside the Calgary 40 yard-line. Girolami had a team leading six total tackles to go with her interception. With that noted, she was pumped to get her interception.

“It was pretty exciting,” said Girolami, who has also been with the Valkyries for their last three straight title wins. “I wanted one all year.

Emmarae Dale (#45) makes one of her five tackles for the Valkyries.

“To make it in the championship game is obviously a pretty special feeling.”

Girolami said she would have liked to have returned her interception for a touchdown and didn’t realize she accidently stepped out of bounds on the run back.

“I was just so excited,” said Girolami, who won two Saskatchewan female under-18 AAA provincial hockey titles playing defence with the Saskatoon Stars in 2015 and 2016. “I saw Emmarae (Dale) blocking for me, and I just knew with her in front of me I would have kept going.

“I think I got too excited to know where I was on the field. I was just too excited, and I was looking ahead of me. I knew Emma had my back, and I just go too excited.”

Emry Halbgewachs (#52) had a sack for the Valkyries.

Following Girolami’s interception, the ensuing Valkyries offensive series was capped by an 11-yard touchdown run by standout running back Drew Lundquist to put the Saskatoon side up 37-0 at the 5:56 mark of the third. McCorriston booted home a 21 yard field goal attempt before the third quarter ended to round out the 40-0 final score.

The contest ended in the fourth quarter with Lindstein heaving up a desperation pass that was intercepted by Valkyries rookie defensive back Sarah Zeng.

Eyolfson completed 18-of-34 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns, while throwing two interceptions for the Valkyries.

Drew Lundquist (#25) runs in for a touchdown for the Valkyries.

Wright took home player of the game honours for the Valkyries carrying the ball 10 times for 66 yards to go with her two rushing touchdowns. She also caught two passes for 27 yards. The veteran running back said the game MVP for her team could have gone to a number of her teammates on Saturday.

“It is great, obviously, but there are so many other girls who were deserving of MVP,” said Wright. “I think a lot of our defence gets missed a lot of the times.

“Danielle Girolami had a great game. Makayla Sader had a pick. There were just so many people that were really deserving of it today.”

Reed Thorstad (#12) shields the ball from a defender on a catch.

Obed topped the Valkyries with 70 receiving yards coming off five catches to go with her two majors through the air.

Lindstein was named the player of the game for the Rage accounting most of her team’s offensive yardage. She completed 5-of-11 passes for 36 yards, while throwing three interceptions. Lindstein led the Rages with 64 yards rushing coming off eight carries.

Defensive end Emry Halbgewachs had four tackles and a quarterback sack for the Valkyries. Outside linebacker Sydney Schenn had 4.5 total tackles and a quarterback sack for Saskatoon, while star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale had five total tackles.

Grace McCorriston (#82) looks to get past a defender after a catch.

Amira Harb led the Rage with five total tackles. Defensive back Hanna Hachey-Raymond had four tackles and an interception for Calgary, while defensive back Margaret May Rusteika had 3.5 tackles and an interception.

The Rage closed their 2023 campaign with a 4-2 overall record. Their other loss also came against the Valkyries in a pre-season contest in Calgary back on April 22.

Sader said her defensive unit was pleased to be able to pick up a shutout in Saturday’s game.

“It was awesome,” said Sader. “I definitely appreciate all the girls that I’ve played with along the way.

The Valkyries celebrate a third straight WWCFL title win.

“It has been a great few seasons, and I can’t wait to comeback.”

With Saturday’s win in the books, the Valkyries have won the WWCFL Championship Game the last three times they’ve played in it as the host club. They took last year’s title game 36-6 against the Winnipeg based Manitoba Fearless at Saskatoon Minor Football field.

Way back on July 5, 2014, the Valkyries blanked the Lethbridge Steel 53-0 in that year’s WWCFL title game held at Griffiths Stadium.

Barry said he was proud of how his team played this season, and Saturday’s WWCFL Championship Game win was a really satisfying way to end the 2023 campaign.

“It is hard to win your last game,” said Barry. “In any sport, in football, when you win your last game, it means you’ve been successful.

The Valkyries conclude the 2023 season with a perfect 8-0 record.

“It is a credit to the athletes. It is a credit to our coaching staff. It is a credit to the whole organization.

“To see all these people out at Griffiths Stadium, it takes me back to the old days of this team. It is kind of exciting.”

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Valkyries on cusp of last dance for 2023 season

Saskatoon aims to win third straight WWCFL title Saturday

Sarah Wright is having another big season for the Valkyries.

It will all be about taking care of business in the present for the Saskatoon Valkyries on Saturday.

The Valkyries are set to host the Calgary Rage in the WWCFL Championship Game on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Griffiths Stadium on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan. Saskatoon is looking to win a third consecutive league title with the previous wins in this run coming last year and in 2019.

The WWCFL’s 2020 and 2021 campaigns were cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world. The Valkyries were able to play a three-game exhibition series against their provincial rivals the Regina Riot in 2021.

On top of going for a third consecutive title, the Valkyries are trying to win their eighth league title in team history having joined the WWCFL in its inaugural campaign in 2011.

With the Valkyries having so much success in their history, head coach Pat Barry was asked how special this opportunity was for the team’s rookies like defensive back Mykayla Laroque. Barry didn’t want to discount how important it is to have the opportunity to play in the WWCFL’s title game for everyone on the team’s roster.

QB Alex Eyolfson aims to lead the Valkyries to another WWCFL title.

“It is special for all of us,” said Barry. “You never know when you are going to get back.

“We do have a lot of new people on our team, especially in our defensive backfield. “Rocky” (Laroque) is one of them. I was sort of counting on our roster earlier in the year, and more than half of our team never played in 2019.

“It is a pretty young team actually that we have here.”

The Valkyries head into this contest having won their last 26 games in a row including two forfeit victories. Their last loss game way back on June 24, 2018, when they dropped a 14-10 decision to the Riot in that year’s WWCFL title game held at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. Saskatoon has a 7-0 overall in the 2023 campaign.

The Rage enter the WWCFL title game with a 4-1 overall record. Their lone loss came in a pre-season game in Calgary on April 22, when they fell 50-2 against the Valkyries.

MLB Emmarae Dale (#45) keeps piling up big plays for the Valkyries.

Calgary’s only appearance to date in the WWCFL final came back on June 10, 2017 taking on the Riot at Saskatoon Minor Football Field in a neutral site clash. The Rage turned the ball over 10 times in that contest and were blanked 53-0.

Despite what has transpired in the past, Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright believes her team can’t be going into the WWCFL title clash thinking everything is going to fall into place. Wright said the Valkyries want to come out and play their best.

“Big last game, (and) we’re excited,” said Wright. “We played Calgary in our pre-season game.

“We’re excited to see them back in the final and to show why Saskatchewan football is so good.”

The Valkyries defensive unit is good at swarming to the ball.

Last year, the Valkyries dumped the Winnipeg based Manitoba Fearless 36-6 in the WWCFL title game held at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The last time a WWCFL title game was held at Griffiths Stadium was way back on July 5, 2014, when the Valkyries blanked the Lethbridge Steel 53-0.

The Valkyries enter this year’s WWCFL title game loaded with talent. Star quarterback Alex Eyolfson is in her prime.

Along with being able to look to Wright and Drew Lundquist to make big plays in the running game, the Valkyries can look to get a boost from a trio of big play receivers in Reed Thorstad, Ricki Obed and Grace McCorriston. Star receiver Haley Girolami has missed the majority of the campaign with a knee injury and is out for Saturday’s game.

The offensive line is anchored by star veterans in Betsy Mawdsley at right tackle, Alex Wojcichowsky at centre, Lauren Ferguson and left guard and Alyssa Funk at left tackle.

Receiver Reed Thorstad (#12) can make big catches in traffic.

Star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale leads the Valkyries defensive unit. Dale’s efforts in the linebacking corps are complimented by Kennedy Mann and Jackie Semple-Dyck. Star defensive end Danaye Holynski also makes a lot of big plays for the Valkyries, while Emry Halbgewachs also brings big pressure from the defensive end spot.

Defensive tackles Carla Stevenson and Michaella Applin are tasked with taking on multiple blocks to occupy players on the opposing offensive line so their teammates can make plays.

Kelsey Murphy, who was a rookie when the Valkyries won the 2014 title, and Danielle Girolami make plays as the veteran presence in the defensive secondary. The Valkyries defensive secondary relies on athletic youngsters like third-year defensive back Makayla Sader, rookie safety Jaimyn Mantyka and Laroque at boundary cornerback.

Barry expects the Rage will be much improved since their pre-season encounter with the Valkyries in April. He is expecting his squad will be in for a physical battle on Saturday.

The Valkyries hope to have a few big play celebrations on Saturday.

“We got to play them in a pre-season game,” said Barry. “We’ll find out how the rest of their season went.

“We think we know a little bit about them. We’ll have to prepare for them. They have some very good athletes on their team, and we’ll have to be ready for them.”

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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