Will Oilers band break up of 2006 repeat in 2024?

A Connor McDavid card.

The business of hockey dealt a seemingly cruel blow to Edmonton Oilers fans in 2006.

On June 19 of that year, the Oilers took the ice for Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final against the host Carolina Hurricanes at the RBC Centre. The Hurricanes prevailed in the contest 3-1 to win their first Stanley Cup.

The Oilers made the post-season finishing eighth in the NHL’s Western Conference with a 41-28-13 mark. They went on a magical run in the NHL Playoffs making the Stanley Cup final for the first time since last winning the iconic trophy back in 1990.

The run to losing Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final offered hope of a great new era for Oilers fans. The 2005-06 campaign was the first NHL season played after a lockout that wiped out the entire 2004-05 campaign.

Before the lost 2004-05 campaign, the NHL didn’t have a salary cap, and it was viewed small market teams like the Oilers would only be able to win the Stanley Cup through a miracle run where a goalie steals a number of games. That view was held even though a team like the Oilers had won the Stanley Cup five times in their history.

It was believed Stanley Cup title wins would be left for big market teams with big budgets like the Detroit Red Wings, Philadelphia Flyers, New York Rangers and Toronto Maple Leafs. Often, the Rangers and Leafs would be made fun of for their inability to buy a Stanley Cup win with an expensive roster.

A league wide salary cap leveled the playing field for small market clubs like the Oilers for the start of the 2005-06 campaign. Before the beginning of that season, the Oilers acquired all-world defenceman Chris Pronger from the St. Louis Blues. The Oilers proceeded to sign Pronger to a five-year contract worth $31.25-million US.

The Oilers also acquired star defensive centre Michael Peca in a trade with the New York Islanders before the 2005-06 campaign began.

In the era before the salary cap, the Oilers didn’t make these types of moves. When salaries in the NHL really started to escalate in the 1990s, the Oilers weren’t able to keep talented players, if they became too high priced.

When the salary cap came in after the lockout, the Oilers had new freedom to go out and build a winner. The additions of Pronger and Peca and the exciting long run in the 2006 NHL Playoffs brought out optimism for Oilers fans that their team was in for another golden age bringing back reflections of Wayne Gretzky’s and Mark Messier’s era with the club in the 1980s.

The Edmonton Journal front page from June 20, 2006.

On June 23, 2006 just four days after the Oilers lost Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final to the Hurricanes, Pronger requested a trade through his agent, Pat Morris, from the Edmonton franchise. Then Oilers general manager Kevin Lowe said the request was for personal reasons, while Edmonton media outlets reported that Pronger’s wife, Lauren, was not happy in Edmonton.

Oilers fans did not take that situation well. Pronger was dubbed by many as “Public Enemy No. 1” in Edmonton, and even to this day, a lot of Oilers fans don’t want to recognize he was ever a member of the team.

Pronger was dealt to the Anaheim Ducks on July 3, 2006. In that first season with the Ducks in 2006-07, Pronger joined star right-winger Teemu Selanne, head coach Randy Carlyle and general manager Brian Burke in helping the Anaheim franchise win a first Stanley Cup in team history.

At that point, Pronger became seen as the poster boy case of the NHL player that didn’t want to play in a Canadian market and looked to leverage his way to a team in the United States when his stock was up. That 2005-06 campaign was the only time Pronger played for a Canadian based team in his NHL career.

I remember dealing with a couple of Edmonton sports media colleagues during the 2006-07 campaign who described Pronger as being an asshole. I don’t know if those feelings have faded with time, but Pronger’s departure from Edmonton was a “don’t let the door hit you on the way out” scenario.

No matter what one thought of Pronger, you have to conclude looking back on video of his play in 2005-06 that he was that damn good. Standing 6-foot-6 and weighing 220 pounds, he had the skill of Ray Bourque and the toughness of Dave Manson.

When he was on the ice, Pronger controlled play when he had the puck, and he was presence whether he had the puck or not. He was in his prime, and if he was in his prime in today’s day and age, he would still be one of the top three defencemen in the NHL. Pronger was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015.

Pronger’s departure started the “Decade of Darkness” for the Oilers, who would miss the NHL Playoffs for the next 10 straight seasons.

A Leon Draisaitl hockey card.

Along with Pronger, it seemed like a mass exodus followed of players leaving from the Oilers 2005-06 roster. Peca signed as a free agent with the Maple Leafs on July 18, 2006.

By the time the 2006-07 campaign ended, the Oilers were also without all-time fan favourite and hero in left-winger Ryan Smyth. Smyth was playing through the final campaign of his contract, and the Oilers were trying to sign him to an extension before the NHL’s trade deadline.

Unable to negotiate an extension, the Oilers dealt Smyth to the Islanders on February 27, 2007 in order to not lose him for nothing as a free agent.

Looking back at the history of the 2005-2006 team, one wonders if the Oilers squad in the current day could break up as fast as that squad did. The Oilers posted a 49-27-6 mark in the recently completed 2023-24 campaign.

They went to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final falling 2-1 this past Monday to the Florida Panthers at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. 

Supporting a team that contains superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl and longtime star Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, the excitement Oilers fans had for this post-season matched and maybe even exceeded the run from 2006.

The Oilers almost pulled off the reverse sweep in the Stanley Cup final. After the Panthers took the first three games of the series, the Oilers took Games 4 to 6 to force a series deciding Game 7. In their three wins, the Oilers outscored the Panthers 18-5, and Oilers fans thought the roll would continue in Game 7.

The Panthers rallied to take Game 7. McDavid claimed the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the NHL Playoffs.

With the Oilers down 2-1 with about seven minutes to play in the third period of Game 7, McDavid looked like he was going to net the equalizer. With Panthers star goalie Sergie Bobrovsky sprawled on the ice, McDavid moved the puck to an open left side of the Florida net and was about to pat the puck into the empty side of the goal.

Panthers defenceman Gustav Forsling reacted to make a critical stick check on McDavid that saw the puck drift into the left corner of the Florida zone and preserved the win for the Panthers.

A Ryan Nugent-Hopkins card.

At the moment, Draisaitl has one year remaining on his contract, and McDavid has two seasons left on his current deal. The Oilers have a number of unrestricted free agents coming up including forwards Connor Brown, Adam Henrique, Mattias Janmark, Corey Perry, Warren Foegele and Sam Carrick.

Defenceman Vincent Desharnais also needs a new contract.

With his contract expiring, general manager Ken Holland and Oilers announced on Thursday they were parting ways. CEO of hockey operations Jeff Jackson assumed the role of interim general manager.

Holland, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2020, is 68-years-old and won four Stanley Cups as an executive with the Detroit Red Wings. If he doesn’t retire and takes another job in hockey, odds are high that could be the last job he holds in the game due to his age.

Is Holland’s departure the first sign the band is breaking up?

Time will tell if the lasting effects of the appearance in the Stanley Cup final in 2024 is as fleeting for the Oilers as the one in 2006.

Tigers roar at NHL Entry Draft, other notes

Cayden Lindstrom (#28) take part in a goal celey in Nov. 2022.

The Medicine Hat Tigers had a banner two days at the NHL Entry Draft.

The legacy major junior franchise didn’t need any luck at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, leading the WHL having four players selected in the drafts seven round that were held on Friday and Saturday. That marked the first time since 2005 the Tigers have had four players selected in the NHL Entry Draft.

That development wasn’t that much of a surprise considering the Tigers had a breakout campaign with a relatively younger roster finishing seventh overall in the WHL with a 37-23-6-3 mark. The NHL Entry Draft selections were deserved.

Tigers 18-year-old centre Cayden Lindstrom was the first player from the WHL to be taken in the draft going fourth overall in the first round to the Columbus Blue Jackets. On June 1, he was named the winner of the CHL Top Draft Prospect award.

In 32 regular season games in 2023-24 with the Tigers, Lindstrom, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 213 pounds, piled up 27 goals and 19 assists to go with a plus-12 rating in the plus-minus department. A disc herniation in his back saw his participation in the regular season come to an end on December 16, 2023.

Lindstrom returned to play in four of the Tigers five games in the 2024 WHL Playoffs recording one goal and one assist after his extend layoff where he was recovering from his injury. The best is still to come from the Chetwynd, B.C., product who has a tremendous upside.

Tigers left-winger Andrew Basha, who will turn 19-years-old in November, went in the second round and 41^st overall to his hometown Calgary Flames. Basha, who stands 6-feet and weighs 187 pounds, recorded 30 goals, 55 assists and a plus-six rating in 63 regular season games with the Tigers. He has a tonne of potential to be a hometown hero with the Flames one day.

Tigers skilled 18-year-old centre Tomas Mrsic was selected in the fourth round and 113^th overall by the St. Louis Blues. Mrsic, who stands 6-feet and weighs 170 pounds, had a solid sophomore season with the Tigers recording 23 goals, 39 assists and an even rating in 63 regular season games.

Andrew Basha was taken by the Flames in the NHL Entry Draft.

The Surrey, B.C., product will likely get to be part of potentially strong Tigers teams over the next two seasons, which will further help him make the jump to the professional ranks.

Tigers 19-year-old left-winger Hunter St. Martin was the last player from Medicine Hat to be selected in the NHL Entry Draft. The Edmonton product went in the sixth round and 193^rd overall to the recently crowned Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

St. Martin, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 175 pounds, had a breakout campaign for the Tigers in 2023-24 posting 24 goals, 28 assists and a plus-14 rating playing in all the club’s 68 regular season contests. St. Martin has all the potential to one day show the Panthers they got a gem with his late in the draft selection.

Prince Albert Raiders star right-winger Ryder Ritchie, who stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 177 pounds, went in the second round and 45^th overall to the Minnesota Wild. Ritchie was limited to 47 regular season games in 2023-24 after being injured on a knee-on-knee hit by Kelowna Rockets left-winger Max Graham in a Raiders 4-3 loss at home on December 15, 2023.

Ritchie, who will turn 18-years-old in August, still recorded 19 goals, 25 assists and a minus-one rating in those 47 regular season games.

Saskatoon Blades netminder Evan Gardner, who had a breakout rookie season in 2023-24, was picked in the second round and 60^th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets. In 30 appearances in the regular season with the Blades in 2023-24, Gardner posted a 21-5-2 record, a 1.91 goals against average, a .927 save percentage and four shutouts.

In the WHL Playoffs, Gardner, who is 18-years-old, played a key role in helping the Blades make it to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Championship Series, where they dropped a 3-2 decision in overtime to the eventual WHL champion Moose Jaw Warriors. Gardner appeared in 15 games in the WHL Playoffs posting a 10-4 record, 2.33 goals against average, a .910 save percentage and one shutout.

Hunter St. Martin was picked by the Panthers in the NHL Entry Draft.

Gardner stands 6-feet and weighs 175 pounds, so it was nice to see he wasn’t overlooked due to the fact he wasn’t at least 6-foot-3 in height.

As expected, 18-year-old centre Macklin Celebrini went first overall to the San Jose Sharks. Celebrini played last season as a 17-year-old with the Boston University Terriers in the NCAA Division I ranks.

He had 32 goals, 32 assists and a plus-25 rating in 38 overall games with the Terriers.

Saskatoon product and skilled centre Berkly Catton was chosen in the first round and eighth overall by the Seattle Kraken. The 18-year-old has a sensational campaign in 2023-24 with the Spokane Chiefs.

Catton finished fourth in the WHL regular season scoring with 116 points coming off 54 goals and 62 assists to go with a plus 15 rating appearing in all of the Chiefs 68 games. In 140 career regular season games in the WHL, Catton has posted 78 goals and 97 assists.

He has strong potential to make the Kraken’s roster as an 18-year-old rookie.

• Right-winger Reggie Leach of the Philadelphia Flyers in 1976 and Flyers netminder Ron Hextall in 1987 both won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the NHL Playoffs. Both played on the team that lost the Stanley Cup final. The award presentation was done away from the ice surface for both players. If a player from the team that loses the Stanley Cup final is named the Conn Smythe Trophy winner in the future, they should go back to making that presentation away from the ice surface. That way you don’t get a situation like this past Monday where Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid didn’t come out to accept the award after his team fell 2-1 in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final to the host Florida Panthers.
• Since the Montreal Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in 1993, Canadian based NHL teams have lost seven straight games when they’ve had the opportunity to win the Stanley Cup. The Vancouver Canucks have been part of three of those losses including one in 1994 and two in 2011. The Calgary Flames had two chances to clinch a Stanley Cup win in 2004. The Oilers dropped a pair of chances to capture the Stanley Cup with one chance coming in 2006 and the other this past Monday.
• Doesn’t it seem that with each passing day the social media line Platform-X, which is formerly known as Twitter, gets more and more toxic? It feels like any time spent on that social media line is wasted time.
• The Kelowna Rockets, who are working in partnership with the City of Kelowna, and Brandon Wheat Kings, who are working in partnership with the Keystone Centre, have declared their intentions to big on the 2026 Memorial Cup, which is the next time the WHL gets to host the CHL championship tournament. The Rimouski Oceanic of the QMJHL will host the Memorial Cup in 2025.
• The under-18 AAA level of the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League is an under-appreciated circuit. On Sunday at Cairns Field, the Saskatoon Diamondback and Saskatoon Cubs played a fantastic game. Trailing 4-1, the Diamondbacks scored four runs in the top of the seventh inning to pull out a 5-4 victory.
• The defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes (4-0) and the Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-0) are the remaining undefeated teams in the CFL. They are slated to meet on Thursday, July 25 in Montreal. One also wonders when excitement for the Roughriders hits high level heights in Saskatchewan, or if a knee injury to quarterback Trevor Harris throws cold water on a possible excitement burst.

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 continue to write great feel good story

Nine time WWCFL champs show sports at its best

The Valkyries celebrate with the WWCFL championship trophy.

The Saskatoon Valkyries have created a space where all feels right with the world.

Definitely, all feels right in the world of the powerhouse Western Women’s Canadian Football League club. The results on the field have certainly proven for that to be true.

On Sunday at Leibel Field in Regina, the Valkyries claimed their ninth WWCFL title downing their provincials rivals the Regina Riot 36-21 in the WWCFL Championship Game. The victory was the 33^rd in a row for the Saskatoon side that went 6-0 overall in 2024. The Valkyries last loss came way back on June 24, 2018 at Mosaic Stadium, when the host Riot claimed a 14-10 victory in that year’s WWCFL title game.

The Valkyries coaches pose with the WWCFL championship trophy.

For the second time in team history, the Valkyries have won four straight WWCFL titles. They took the league title in four straight seasons from 2011 to 2014, which were the first four campaigns of the WWCFL’s existence.

The Valkyries overcame a unique challenge in their current run of winning four consecutive WWCFL championships. The run started with a 25-3 WWCFL Championship Game victory over the Riot on June 29, 2019 at Mosaic Stadium.

Kelsey Murphy returns an interception for the Valkyries.

The 2020 and 2021 campaigns were lost due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world. The Valkyries did manage to play a three-game exhibition series against the Riot in 2021 winning all three of those contests.

When the WWCFL returned to regular action, the title wins continued for the Valkyries. On June 25, 2022, the Valkyries downed the Manitoba Fearless 36-6 in the league title game at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Another WWCFL championship came on June 24, 2023 as the Valkyries blanked the Calgary Rage 40-0 in the league title contest held at Griffiths Stadium.

The roll kept going this past Sunday with the Valkyries most recent victory against the Riot.

Alex Wojcichowsky has been with the Valkyries since 2013.

Saskatoon’s success can be attributed to the togetherness of everyone on the club. In a current world where the word “division” has become the defining characteristic of society, the Valkyries provide a space where acceptance is the defining characteristic.

It is the place where the Christian Catholic, the person in a same sex relationship, the African-American, the individual from an Indigenous background, one with Asian cultural roots and various other defining cultures and characteristics all play together. On top of that, everyone becomes best friends and family.

Unfortunately in today’s world, it is becoming more common where some in those backgrounds don’t want you interacting with others outside of the group that defines your characteristics away from the game. In some spaces, those that do are considered very, very bad people.

Alex Eyolfson has played QB for the Valkyries since 2016.

The Valkyries provide the example of where sport can bring everyone together. The family feeling on the team is one of main things that keeps bringing a core group of players together to train during the times of the COVID-19 shutdowns when it wasn’t clear when the team would next play in a real game.

The storied Saskatoon club has hit a point in its history where players from the Valkyries inaugural campaign in 2011 are coaches with the club in co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Marci Halseth, defensive line coach Beth Thompson and linebackers coach Beth Lalonde. Jaime Lammerding, who also an original Valkyries player, is on the team’s board of directors overseeing fundraising, and Rienna Rueve, who joined the Valkyries in their second campaign in 2012, is a defensive backs coach.

Emmarae Dale has suited up at MLB for the Valkyries since 2016.

The players that were once kid youngsters starting their first years after high school graduation are now veteran leaders. That includes Alex Wojcichowsky who has continuously been with the team since 2013 playing centre through most of that time and also serving for a short stint as a trainer.

The list of those who were once youngsters and are now veterans includes defensive back and kick returner Kelsey Murphy, who has played with the Valkyries since 2014, and receiver Reed Thorstad and left tackle Alyssa Funk who have both suited up with the Saskatoon side since 2015.

Haley Girolami has made big plays for the Valkyries since 2019.

The 2016 class of newcomers included quarterback Alex Eyolfson, receiver Ricki Obed and middle linebacker Emmarae Dale. These days, it is hard to imagine any of those seven players were ever rookies, because they’ve all be standouts and stars on the squad for some time.

Also, current physiotherapist Jae Gorgchuk and massage therapist Lakyn Biberdorf were rookie players on that 2016 squad.

 Running back Sarah Wright and O-line standout Lauren Ferguson came to the Valkyries in 2017, defensive back Danielle Girolami first suited up in 2018, while physical defensive end Danaye Holynski and receiver Haley Girolami came on board in 2019.

Jaimyn Mantyka became the Valkyries starting safety in 2023.

Those players have helped guide the way for the newcomers who have joined the Valkyries since 2021 including Jackie Semple-Dyck, Kaylin O’Neill, Lexi Beuker, Julia Smith, Kelli Young, Marissa Glanville, Caitlyn Spurr, Teagan Craig, Jaimyn Mantyka, Arden Kliewer, Kennedy Mann, Jacey Harris, Grace Farthing, Emry Halbgewachs, Sydney Schenn, Brenanna Allegretto, Mykayla Laroque, Kate Boyer, Mackenzie Young and Halle Hindmarsh and a host of other players.

The Valkyries also welcomed back veterans in 2024 who had past good runs with the team in defensive backs Shaylyn De Jong and Phelycia Black and Shae Dixon on the D-line.

Saskatoon has also benefitted from having stability at the head coach position. Jeff Yausie, who is also the long time defensive coordinator of the CJFL’s venerable Saskatoon Hilltops, was the Valkyries head coach from the team’s inception in 2011 through to 2016.

Teagan Craig made big plays as a rookie running back this season.

Pat Barry joined the Valkyries as a position coach in 2014 and has served as the team’s head coach since 2017. The continuity at head coach has allowed the family feeling culture on the Valkyries to continue and allows for consistency in the schemes and strategies the team uses on the field.

Also, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Wyatt Carleton usually gives some of the best pump up talks and speeches.

While there might seemingly be chaos in the world away from the game, the Valkyries continue to provide an uplifting spot for female players that want to continue or give tackle football a try. Another spinoff is a number of the Valkyries players give back coaching minor football in the community helping to bring their positive culture influence to that level of the game.

Rookie LB Jacey Harris enjoys her first WWCFL title win.

The Valkyries championship success on the field comes from all these numerous things taking place behind the scenes that builds a great forward momentum. When they capture another WWCFL championship, it really does feel for a short time in that moment that all is right with the world.

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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Girolami sisters power Valkyries to WWCFL championship

Saskatoon wins fourth straight league crown, ninth overall

The Valkyries raise the WWCFL championship trophy for a ninth time.

REGINA, Sask. - If the Reklaws were in town, they would be singing “Long Live The Night” for the Saskatoon Valkyries and the Girolami sisters.

On  CFL home opening Sunday in Regina, most in the Saskatchewan capital were whooping up a 36-20 victory by the Roughriders over the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Mosaic Stadium.

Out on the southeast corner of town, the Valkyries were putting up highlights at Leibel Field that would first perfectly for a music video of the hit tune by the Canadian country duo that has become a theme song for Canada’s storied professional football Loop. Taking on their provincial rivals in the host Regina Riot in the WWCFL Championship Game, the Valkyries stormed out to a 26-0 lead at halftime and would prevail 36-21.

The Valkyries celebrate their WWCFL title win.

Sisters Haley and Danielle Girolami combined for three touchdowns in the Valkyries’ first half surge that pretty much sunk the Riot. Haley caught two touchdown passes, with one starting the scoring in the first half and the second concluding the scoring in the first half.

In between Haley’s scores, Danielle, who is standout defensive back, returned an interception for a touchdown for the Saskatoon side.

With Sunday’s win in the books, the Valkyries have now won the last four consecutive league titles. They finished the 2024 campaign with a 6-0 overall record, while the Riot finished out at 3-3 overall.

The Valkyries DBs poses with the WWCFL championship trophy.

“It feels so good,” said Haley. “I honestly don’t even know what to say.

“It feels so good to win four in a row. It feels super good.

“Our team is just amazing.”

“Obviously, I think this one was pretty special,” said Danielle. “When you can go four in a row, and I have my sister beside me and my cousin (Valkyries safety Jaimyn Mantyka) beside me, so it is kind of a whole family affair.

Haley Girolami (#17) secures her first of two TD catches on Sunday.

“I can’t complain. This one feels pretty good.”

Saskatoon has won nine WWCFL championships overall dating back to the circuit’s start in 2011.

The Valkyries also pushed their overall winning streak out to 33 games. Saskatoon’s last loss came way back on June 24, 2018 at Mosaic Stadium, when the host Riot claimed a 14-10 victory in that year’s WWCFL title game.

Before Sunday’s clash, the two clubs last met in the WWCFL title game on June 29, 2019 at Mosaic Stadium. The Valkyries took that encounter 25-3 in a campaign where they were playing to honour the memory of their late defensive position coach Justin Filteau, who passed away in a plane crash on June 1 of that same year.

Danielle Girolami returned an interception for a TD on Sunday.

Sunday’s contest started 35 minutes late due to lightning flashes in the area. When it came time to kick off after the delay, the clouds in the sky above Leibel Field cleared up leaving a strong wind blowing from south to north of the facility.

The Valkyries had the game’s first possession and put together a long drive against the wind that stalled on a third-and-one gamble at the Riot 18 yard line. The Riot countered with a short drive with the wind that stalled when the hosts failed to convert a third-and-three gamble giving the ball up on their own 49 yard line.

The visitors proceeded to drive the 49 yards down the field, and that series was capped with Valkyries star quarterback Alex Eyolfson hitting Haley Girolami with a 10-yard touchdown pass down the right sidelines for a 7-0 lead.

The Valkyries defence gang tackles Riot R Bethany O’Toole.

“We knew we had to come out early and come out strong,” said Haley. “Just to set the tone early, I think it just gives the team energy, and we took the momentum from there.”

Saskatoon took the 7-0 edge into the second quarter. At the 2:04 mark of the second quarter, Valkyries kicker Grace Moehler nailed a 29 field goal with the wind to push Saskatoon’s lead out to 10-0.

Just a little over three minutes later, Danielle Girolami made a huge play that gave the Valkyries command of the contest for the rest of the night. With the Riot pinned deep in their own end, Danielle intercepted Regina star quarterback Aimee Kowalski and ran the ball back 10 yards for a touchdown to give the Valkyries a 17-0 advantage.

Aimee Kowalski was named the game MVP for the Riot.

“They just ran an out, and I was lucky enough that when I went to kind of block it, it just popped up right into my hand,” said Danielle. “Thankfully, I was nice and close to the end zone, so I got to run it in.

“It was pretty exciting. It was my first pick six of the career, so I can’t complain.”

A short time later, the Riot were pinned again in their own end forcing the hosts to concede a safety, which increased the Valkyries lead to 19-0.

With 22 second remaining before halftime, the Valkyries added another dagger, when Eyolfson hit Haley Girolami with another 10-yard touchdown pass to give the visitors their 26-0 lead at halftime.

The Valkyries celebrate a second TD catch from Haley Girolami.

Valkyries head coach Pat Barry was pleased to see the Girolami sisters come through with three major scores.

“They’re great people,” said Barry. “They come from a great family.

“Haley and Danny, I’m big fans of theirs. I’m just so pleased that they are on our team. I hope they continue for many years.”

At the 5:04 mark of the third quarter, Moehler nailed a 23 yard field goal with the win to push the Valkyries advantage out to 29-0.

The Riot proceeded to get on the scoreboard with 3:37 remaining in the third quarter, when Kowalski hit receiver Jocelyn King-McGillivary with a seven yard touchdown pass to trim the Valkyries edge to 29-7.

Danielle Girolami makes a tackle for the Valkyries.

With the wind in the fourth quarter, any hopes the Riot had of making a miraculous comeback were dashed about seven minutes into the frame. The hosts muffed a punt return deep in their end of the field, which the Valkyries recovered on the Regina one yard line.

Running a wildcat formation, Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright took a direct snap and would hit star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale, who was lined up as a tight end, for a one-yard touchdown toss to put the Valkyries up 36-7 with 7:43 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Riot closed out the contest with Kowalski scoring a pair of one-yard touchdowns on quarterback sneaks to round out the 36-21 final score in favour of the Valkyries. On the first major with 2:28 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Riot failed to score a two-point conversion, when a Kowalski pass fell incomplete.

Alex Eyolfson threw two touchdown passes for the Valkyries.

On the second major with 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Riot scored a two-point conversion, when Kowalski connected on a pass to King-McGillivary.

After the Valkyries ran out the rest of the clock with a pair of kneel downs after recovering a Riot onside kick attempt, Barry was pumped his squad captured a fourth consecutive WWCFL title.

“It is so sweet,” said Barry. “I talked to the players before the game to go out and do something remarkable today, and I think they did.

“To win four championships in a row is incredibly rare. I’ve never been a part of anything like this before. I’m so happy and so proud of these players.”

The Valkyries celebrate a TD catch from Emmarae Dale.

The Valkyries earned a spot in the WWCFL final by routing the Manitoba Fearless 48-14 in a WWCFL semifinal at home last Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. One day earlier, the Riot claimed the other WWCFL semifinal blanking the host Calgary Rage 29-0 on the road at Cochrane High School in Cochrane, Alta.

In the Valkyries WWCFL title win over the Riot at Leibel Field, veteran defensive back Kelsey Murphy had an interception for Saskatoon.

Defensive back Kat Neigum had a pair of interceptions for the Riot, while defensive back Keilyn Howie had a single interception.

Haley Girolami (#17) was the Valkyries game MVP.

Haley Girolami was named the game MVP for the Valkyries. Kowalski took game MVP honours for the Riot.

The Valkyries also won four straight WWCFL titles in the circuit’s first four years of existence from 2011 to 2014. The Girolami sisters helped the Valkyries win all of their current run of four straight WWCFL championship victories with Haley joining the Valkyries in 2019 and Danielle becoming part of the team in 2018.

Both were overjoyed to help the Valkyries win four straight WWCFL crowns.

“It just feels so good,” said Haley. “It is more special, because it is a family.

“We are with our family, and it is the best team you could imagine in the world.”

The Valkyries soak in a fourth straight WWCFL championship.

“My very first year was the first year we lost,” said Danielle. “Obviously, it was not a great feeling, but to go and win and just continue that and to make it four in a row, I don’t really have any words to say how good it feels, and how excited I am for this team.

“I’m just pumped, speechless.”

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Last dance in 2024 for Valkyries versus Riot rivalry

Provincial foes go at it for WWCFL championship

Alex Eyolfson, right, calls a play in the huddle for the Valkyries.

Alex Eyolfson believes it is fitting the WWCFL season will end with a clash between her Saskatoon Valkyries and the Regina Riot.

Since the start of the WWCFL in 2011, the Valkyries and Riot have had the circuit’s biggest and most storied rivalry. The two sides go at it one last time in the 2024 campaign in the WWCFL Championship Game being held on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Leibel Field in Regina.

“They’re always our rivals,” said Eyolfson, who is the Valkyries star quarterback. “We expect this us and Regina.

“We just prepare hard, and we’ve prepared all season. We’re just excited, and we’re really excited for Sunday night to play them.”

The Valkyries enter the contest with a 5-0 overall record, while the Riot are 3-2 overall. Saskatoon took both regular season meetings between the two sides. On April 28, the Valkyries down the Riot 19-6 at Leibel Field, and Saskatoon rolled to a 41-7 victory at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on May 18.

The Valkyries will be trying to win a fourth consecutive WWCFL title and to keep their 32 game winning streak alive too when they face the Riot. Saskatoon’s last loss came way back on June 24, 2018 at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, when the host Riot claimed a 14-10 victory in that year’s WWCFL title game.

The two clubs last met in the WWCFL title game on June 29, 2019 at Mosaic Stadium. The Valkyries took that encounter 25-3 in a campaign where they were playing to honour the memory of their late defensive position coach Justin Filteau, who passed away in a plane crash on June 1 of that same year.

“It has been a long time since we played a championship game in Regina,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry. “That (2019 WWCFL championship season) was an emotional year for us.

Aimee Kowalski (#12) passed for 1,093 yards in the regular season.

“It is exciting to be in this situation again. There are only a couple of teams in the country still playing, and they both happen to be from Saskatchewan. That is pretty exciting, and we’re looking forward to the challenge.”

Eyolfson is one of a strong group of core players that was with the Valkyries in 2019. While they’ve experienced sizable turnover since that 2019 season, the signal caller said the veterans continue to keep Filteau’s memory alive and pass along memories to the team’s newcomers.

“We always play for Filteau,” said Eyolfson. “He is always in our hearts.

“This one, I think we just try and treat every final kind of the same. We’ve prepared all season so well. We’re just coming with lots of energy, and we’re just so excited.

“It is always a big deal.”

Last Sunday, the Valkyries routed the Manitoba Fearless 48-14 in a WWCFL semifinal at SMF Field. One day earlier, the Riot claimed the other WWCFL semifinal blanking the host Calgary Rage 29-0 at Cochrane High School in Cochrane, Alta.

Eyolfson believes her squad is climbing to a spot where everyone is peaking. She said the Valkyries were pleased with their semifinal win over the Fearless.

“I think we just want to build on that game, and we really came together as an offence,” said Eyolfson. “We had a couple of rocky games this season.

Reed Thorstad (#12) is a sure-handed pass catchers for the Valkyries.

“We’re just building on last game. We’re just practicing really hard, and we’re coming together. I think we are going to peak, hopefully, in the final. Our best is yet to come.”

Barry believes the Valkyries are in a good place on all fronts heading into the WWCFL championship game.

“We’re pretty healthy knock on wood,” said Barry. “We’ve got some experienced players.

“We’ve got some young players who are making big efforts for us, and it is really exciting to see.”

During the Valkyries four regular season games, Eyolfson completed 71-of-114 passes for 899 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Wright has had a big season for the Valkyries carrying the ball 60 times for 326 yards.

Haley Girolami topped the Valkyries with 320 receiving yards coming off 19 catches. Reed Thorstad led the Saskatoon side with 24 catches that went for 291 yards.

Riot star quarterback Aimee Kowalski completed 104-of-184 passes for 1,093 yards and eight touchdowns, while throwing three interceptions in the regular season. 

Star receiver Shanelle Rioux had an outstanding campaign for the Riot hauling in 35 passes for 570 yards and six touchdowns.

The two squads were near even in total offensive yards in the regular season with the Valkyries posting 1,446 yards and the Riot collecting 1,442 yards. Defensively, the Valkyries gave up just 805 total yards in the regular season, while the Riot allowed 1,371 yards.

Riot R Shanelle Rioux (#16) battles Valkyries DB Jaimyn Mantyka.

Outside linebacker Sydney Schenn, who played a three game exhibition series for the Riot in 2021 before joining the Valkyries in 2022, is pumped her Saskatoon side gets to see the Riot once again.

“It is exciting, because it is a big rivalry,” said Schenn. “I came from there too, so it is really exciting.

“It is always a big week to play against them just to play against old teammates and really show what our preparation can do.”

Eyolfson said the Valkyries have a good mix of veterans and newcomers this season. The mix keeps the Valkyries driving forward.

“There is so much talent on our whole team,” said Eyolfson. “With offence, we have so many options to go to.

“If someone is not open, someone else will be. I have so much trust in our receivers and my o-line and Sarah (Wright) and Teagan (Craig) and all the running backs and Drew (Lundquist). I have trust in everyone, and it is just exciting to see all the talent we have.”

The signal caller said her squad has the right type of confidence too heading into the WWCFL title clash with the Riot.

“If we execute and we’ve prepped so hard this season this week just going in and doing what we do best it should be our game,” said Eyolfson. “You have to stay grounded too.

OLB Sydney Schenn has become a Valkyries standout on defence.

“I think it should be a good game. It will be exciting.”

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Football life is natural fit for Valkyries’ Schenn

Sydney Schenn has become a Valkyries mainstay at OLB.

Sydney Schenn seemed predestined to play football due to her family’s links to the game.

Growing up in Moosomin, Sask., her father, Jason, coached the sport and is the general manager and president for Moosomin Generals minor football program. Her older brother, Wyatt, and younger brother, TJ, were both players. Schenn’s mother, Janelle, supported the family members in all their pursuits.

Schenn enjoyed getting into rough stuff with her brothers, which ultimately led her dad suggestion she join the football team. She joined the Generals program in Grade 6 and found the sport to be a natural fit.

“I liked the physicality and the aggression,” said Schenn. “I was very aggressive, and I fought with my brothers all the time and we wrestled.

“I could do it on the field instead of being in trouble in the house.”

These days Schenn is a 21-year-old linebacker with the powerhouse Saskatoon Valkyries of the Western Women’s Canadian Football League. Now in her third season with the team, Schenn has become a mainstay at outside linebacker.

On Sunday, Schenn and the Valkyries (5-0 overall) will play in the WWCFL Championship Game against their provincial rivals the Regina Riot (3-2 overall) at 7:30 p.m. at Leibel Field in Regina. Schenn has helped the Valkyries win the WWCFL title in each of the past two years.

Last Sunday, Schenn had a huge outing at Saskatoon Minor Football Field as the Valkyries romped over the Manitoba Fearless 48-14 in a WWCFL semifinal. She recorded seven total tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery.

Sydney Schenn makes a physical hit for the Valkyries.

“I feel like I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable, and I feel more comfortable on the field,” said Schenn, who stands 5-foot-9. “I played nine-a-side in Moosomin, so moving to 12 was really different.

“I feel like I can figure out the game a lot more in 12-a-side better now in my third year.”

In Moosomin, Schenn played linebacker and defensive back, while also handling duties as a long snapper. She took the field for the Generals male teams from Grade 6 through to Grade 12 and suited up for the Generals under-18 female team when it was formed in 2018. With both the male and female programs, Schenn became a star player who piled up a number of awards and accolades.

Originally, Schenn elected to join the Riot in 2020 and play with them while she was still in high school. That campaign was ultimately cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world.

Right after graduating from McNaughton High School in Moosomin, Schenn played for the Riot in their three-game exhibition series against the Valkyries in July of 2021, when the all sports leagues in Canada started to take the first steps forward to resuming regular operation. She began studying in the psychology program at the University of Regina away from the game.

On the football field, Schenn started to wonder if she would find better chemistry with a new team.  

“I didn’t feel like I fit well with the Riot,” said Schenn. “I still wanted to play football, so I decided I was going to find somewhere else I could play.

Sydney Schenn gets to a ball carrier behind the line of scrimmage.

“I have a whole bunch of family here (in Saskatoon), so it was easier that I could just live with family.”

Schenn joined the Valkyries for the start of the 2022 campaign. She continued to pursue her studies at the U of R, but lives in Saskatoon when the Valkyries football season is on.

Valkyries head coach Pat Barry was happy to see Schenn join the team and already bring a sizable wealth of experience in the tackle game. 

A lot of the Valkyries newcomers join the team from the female flag football in Saskatoon. The fall of 2023 saw Saskatoon Minor Football roll out organized female tackle football for the city for players of high school age.

“Sydney comes from Moosomin, so she has played football for a long time,” said Barry. “She is a heavy tackler, and she is a physical player.

“She is really thriving in (defensive coordinator) Wyatt Carleton’s defence. We’re really impressed with how she is doing things in our thirty defence right now.”

While Schenn had a lot of experience in the game, Barry said the standout linebacker has grown a lot since joining the Saskatoon side.

“She has come like a huge distance,” said Barry. “She was a teenager when she first came to us.

Sydney Schenn (#57) tracks down a receiver downfield.

“Now as a young woman and an athlete, she is showing a lot of leadership and physical play. It is really great to have her on our team.”

With the Valkyries, Schenn found the chemistry she was looking for.

“They are such a hyped group,” said Schenn. “They’re great.

“It is just the best team environment that I’ve been a part of.”

One of Schenn’s most memorable moments came when the Valkyries won the WWCFL title game in her first season. In that title game clash played on June 25, 2022 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries romped past the Fearless 36-6.

“That was my first championship as a player,” said Schenn. “Throughout my nine years in Moosomin, I never won a championship, so that was pretty cool to actually win a (title) game and go undefeated and actually win a championship.”

Now, Schenn wants to be part of another WWCFL title win with the Valkyries. 

Looking to the future, Schenn said she would like to play with the Valkyries for as long as she can, but she admits life opportunities that come away from the game will play a factor when it comes to staying with the club for a longer term.

“I’m not sure where life is going to take me after my undergrad,” said Schenn. “At least (I will play) maybe one more year.

Sydney Schenn (#57) enjoys playing football with the Valkyries.

“We’ll see if I go for my masters or where I go after that.”

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Girolami kickstarts Valkyries to romp over Fearless

Saskatoon advances to WWCFL title game against Riot

Haley Girolami had seven catches for 118 yards and two TDs on Sunday.

The return of Haley Girolami has been one of the biggest subplots to the Saskatoon Valkyries 2024 campaign.

Last year, the star receiver was lost in the team’s second regular season game due to injury. Girolami suffered a tibial plateau fracture and a PCL tear in her left knee during that contest, which placed her on the shelf for the rest of the 2023 campaign.

She ended up helping the Valkyries with coaching the club’s other receivers along with cheering on her teammates. Girolami watched on the sidelines as the Valkyries blanked the Calgary Rage 40-0 in the WWCFL Championship Game on June 24 of last year at Griffiths Stadium.

Haley Girolami, left, breaks loose from a Fearless defender.

This year Girolami will be in uniform for the WWCFL title clash. That is because on Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field she caught seven passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

Girolami’s offensive outburst helped kickstart the Valkyries to a 48-14 romp over the visiting Manitoba Fearless in a WWCFL semfinal clash between the two sides.

“It was a very hard year last year,” said Girolami. “It was a different kind of mindset last year to help and just be a cheerer on the sideline not being able to do something and try and make a difference in the games.

“I’m just happy, and I am thankful to be healthy this season. I am just so excited to play alongside this team in the finals one more time.”

The Valkyries celebrate a first quarter TD from Haley Girolami (#17).

With the win, the Valkyries improved to 5-0 overall on the campaign, pushed their winning streak out to 32 games and advance to face their provincial rivals the Regina Riot in the WWCFL Championship Game. The Fearless finish out at 0-5 overall.

On Saturday, the Riot claimed the other WWCFL semifinal blanking the host Calgary Rage 29-0 at Cochrane High School in Cochrane, Alta. The Riot improved to 3-2 overall, while the Rage finished out at 4-1 overall.

The Riot host the WWCFL final this coming Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at Leibel Field in Regina. The Valkyries will be trying to win a fourth consecutive league championship.

Haley Girolami had a team high 320 receiving yards in the regular season.

Girolami is pumped the Valkyries will play for a WWCFL title again.

“It does feel good,” said Girolami, who has been with the Valkyries for their last three WWCFL title wins. “We’re very excited.

“We’ve had a few ups and downs this year and a few closer games. We’re really happy to be back into the final game, and I think we’re ready to give it our all.”

Sunday’s post-season outing was big follow up to a stellar regular season for Girolami. She topped the Valkyries with 320 receiving yards coming off 19 catches as the squad placed first in the Prairie Conference with a 4-0 mark.

Haley Girolami, left, celebrates a TD catch with Reed Thorstad.

“It is so big to have Haley (Girolami) back,” said Valkyries head coach Pat Barry, who club played in on and off again rainy conditions on Sunday. “I’m a big fan of hers.

“She’s an explosive athlete. She is such a positive person. She might be the most competitive person on our team, and there are a lot of competitors on our team.

“It is exciting to have her back and healthy.”

Girolami gave the Valkyries a spark after they had a small stumble out of the gate on Sunday. Just 91 seconds into the contest, the Valkyries had a mishap in fielding a punt deep in their end of the field, which resulted them in ultimately giving up a safety to give the Fearless a 2-0 lead.

Reed Thorstad tosses away a defender after making a catch.

After forcing the Fearless to punt again on their ensuing possession, the Valkyries got to work turning to Girolami. Valkyries star quarterback Alex Eyolfson hit Girolami with a deep pass down the right sideline. That catch went for a 49-yard touchdown reception to give the Valkyries a 7-2 at the 4:40 mark of the opening quarter.

Just under four minutes later, the Valkyries added a 17 yard field goal from receiver/kicker Grace Moehler to push their advantage out to 10-2.

With Girolami having come through with a big reception for a major score, the rest of the Valkyries receivers were finding room to work. Star inside receiver Reed Thorstad would haul in a 38-reception and was tackled down at the Manitoba three yard line. That catch ultimately set up a one-yard touchdown run two plays later from Valkyries star running back Sarah Wright that gave the hosts a 17-2 lead heading into the second quarter.

Alex Eyolfson (#15) completed 16-of-24 passes for 287 yards.

Thorstad finished the contest with five catches for 83 yards. She said Girolami’s presence helps open things up for the rest of the Valkyries playmakers in the passing game.

“She (Girolami) is a talented receiver, and she also works her butt off,” said Thorstad. “She is always going to attack the ball.

“She is always going to be making that extra effort on blocks, and I think having that energy on our offence just ups it a lot for us. It just means we have so many targets on the field, which is awesome.”

The Valkyries kept the offensive fireworks coming in the second quarter. Moehler kicked a 25-yard field goal into the wind to give the Valkyries a 20-2 lead. Wright rolled off a 53-yard touchdown run to put the hosts up 27-2 at halftime.

Sydney Schenn makes one of her seven total tackles on Sunday.

Just 2:24 into the third quarter, Eyolfson hit Girolami with a 14-yard touchdown pass to push the Valkyries lead up to 34-2.

The Fearless proceeded to put together a scoring drive that was capped by quarterback Madison Siwicki hitting inside receiver Cassidy Turski with a 19-yard touchdown strike. The visitors tried to go for a two-point conversion but a dump pass to running back Breanna Hargrave came up short of the end zone to make the score sit at 34-8 in favour of the Valkyries.

With 1:47 remaining in the third quarter, Eyolfson connected with star receiver Ricki Obed on a 48-yard pass and run touchdown to give the Valkyries a 41-8 advantage heading into the fourth quarter.

Kelsey Murphy returns an interception 38 yards for the Valkyries.

Early in the fourth quarter, Siwicki scored a major on a one-yard quarterback sneak for the Fearless. Siwicki’s pass on a two-point conversion attempt fell incomplete to make the score sit at 41-14 in favour of Saskatoon.

The Valkyries rounded out the game’s scoring with a 49-yard touchdown run from Teagan Craig, who is playing in her first season with the Saskatoon side. The 48 points the Valkyries scored on Sunday were a team high for the 2024 campaign.

Thorstad said it was big for the Valkyries to get everyone who suited up for the contest into the game.

“I think that was great for us,” said Thorstad. “We’ve got a lot of people.

Emmarae Dale had eight total tackles for the Valkyries.

“We have a deep bench. Teagan (Craig) has speed, and it was fun to see her be able to turn on the jets in some open space and get it in the end zone. I’m excited for her and excited for some of our receivers that had some catches today too.”

Eyolfson finished the contest completing 16-of-24 passes for 287 yards, three touchdown and no interceptions. Wright topped the Valkyries with 65 yards rushing on seven carries to go with her two major scores.

Siwicki completed 11-of-28 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown, while throwing three interceptions for the Fearless. Receiver Morgan Moffatt topped the Manitoba side with 64 receiving yards coming on four catches. Star running back Hallie Eggie led the Fearless in rushing with 19 carries for 85 yards.

Teagan Craig had a 49-yard touchdown run for the Valkyries.

On defence, Valkyries outside linebacker Sydney Schenn had seven total tackles, one interception and one fumble recovery. Star middle linebacker Emmarae Dale led the Valkyries with eight total tackles and an interception.

Veteran defensive back Kelsey Murphy returned an interception 38 yards for the Valkyries, while safety Jaimyn Mantyka and defensive back Kaylin O’Neill each had fumble recoveries.

Linebacker Belle Jonasson had a big game for the Fearless with 6.5 total tackles, one quarterback sack, two pass knockdowns and one interception. Fearless linebacker Jill Fast had one sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. Hargrave, who was playing both ways, topped the Fearless with eight total tackles.

Cassidy Turski, left, had a TD catch for the Fearless.

Looking back at the start of the season, Girolami said she was ready to get going after recovering from her injury.

“I had tonnes of nerves,” said Girolami, who stand 5-foot-9. “I felt hungry for it.

“I wanted it so bad this year. It was hard to sit out and be on the sideline. I wanted to be with them and playing.

“Our team just gets better every year, so I wanted to be a part of that learning and growing this year.”

The 28-year-old has had a blast being part of the team on the field again.

“It has felt so good,” said Girolami. “It feels super nice to be back and making some plays.

Backup QB Julia Smith (#11) fires a pass downfield for the Valkyries.

“It is great, because we have so many threats on offence. It is amazing to move the ball around.”

Now, the Valkyries turn their attention towards the Riot. The last time the two Saskatchewan rivals met in the WWCFL title game was back in June 29, 2019 at Mosaic Stadium, and the Valkyries came away with a 25-3 victory on that day.

“It is exciting,” said Barry. “It has been five years since we’ve played Regina in the final.

The Valkyries celebrate their WWCFL semifinal win on Sunday.

“It is not in Mosaic Stadium this time. It is in Leibel Field. We’re excited for the opportunity. We’re looking forward to it.”

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