USask centre Pillar reflects fondly on his Mintos days

Centre aims to catch fire again with Huskies

Josh Pillar jets up ice for the Huskies on November 29.

Josh Pillar will always crack a smile when someone brings up his one full season stand with the Prince Albert Mintos Under-18 AAA Team.

In the current day, Pillar is a 23-year-old veteran centre playing out his third season with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies. The Warman product played a key role for the Huskies in the 2024-25 campaign culminating in the squad’s 19^th Canada West Conference championship win this past March.

Pillar is no stranger to lengthy post-season runs. During his 15-year-old season in 2017-18, he experienced one of those in “Hockey Town North.”

After suiting up with the Mintos as an associate player call up for two games in the 2016-17 season, Pillar joined the Mintos on a full-time basis for the following campaign. He helped the Mintos finish third overall in the SMAAAHL regular season standings with 32 wins, nine losses and three extra time losses.

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

Hauser gets well-deserved nod as toughest road building in WHL player poll

The fans at the Art Hauser Centre cheer on the Raiders.

The faithful of the Prince Albert Raiders got an early Christmas gift courtesy of the WHL.

On Monday, the WHL released the results of a midseason player survey with regards to the question of what is the most difficult building to play in as the road team. More than 300 players from all of the WHL’s 23 clubs cast votes and the Prince Albert Raiders legendary home in the Art Hauser Centre came away with the title as the toughest building for the road team to play in at 22.9 per centre. The Hauser just edged the Everett Silvertips home barn in the Angel of the Winds Arena, which came in second at 22.2 per cent.

The WHL has made it a habit to do these midseason player surveys where the results of the various questions asked to the players are released during the circuit’s Christmas break. Last season, the Hauser came in second on that exact same question as 15.6 per cent of players said it was the toughest road building to play in. The Angel of the Winds Arena topped last year’s survey with 25.4 per cent of the votes.

It should be noted the Silvertips really do have an outstanding home ice advantage in their rink. If you are a junior hockey fan, getting to Everett to see a Silvertips game is a bucket list item.

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

Raiders romp into Christmas break with 8-3 win

Gorzynski collects five points in P.A. home debut

If first impressions are anything, Brandon Gorzynski is going to be a fan favourite in “Hockey Town North” in the not too distance future.

On Friday night, the 18-year-old left-winger played his first home game as a member of the Prince Albert Raiders before a standing room crowd of 2,584 spectators at the 2,580 seat Art Hauser Centre. Back on Monday, the Raiders acquired Gorzynski in a trade with the Calgary Hitmen that saw 17-year-old left-winger Ty Meunier, a second round selection in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft and a conditional fourth round pick in the 2027 Prospects Draft head the other way.

Gorzynski had an assist in his Raiders debut on Wednesday, when they traveled to Regina and fell to the host Pats 5-4 in a WHL regular season contest.

Skating at the Art Hauser Centre as a member of the Prince Albert side for the first time in regular season play on Friday, Gorzynski had a sensational night recording his first career WHL hat trick and two assists as the Raiders romped over the visiting Kelowna Rockets 8-3. Gorzynski scored twice on a hot night for the power play and once at even strength. The Raiders were 5-for-9 with the man advantage and successfully killed off both of the Rockets chances on the power play.

The victory allowed the Raiders to head into their Christmas break in impressive fashion. They improved to 23-5-4 to move one standings point ahead of the Medicine Hat Tigers (22-6-3-2) for first place in the WHL’s Eastern Conference. The Raiders have a game in hand on the Tigers.

Prince Albert leads the East Division, while the Tigers top the Central Division. The Raiders also sit second in the overall WHL standings and third in the latest CHL Top 10 Rankings that were released on Tuesday.

The Rockets fell to 16-12-3-1 as they head into their Christmas break to sit inside the top five of the Western Conference. Kelowna will host the upcoming CHL championship tournament – the Memorial Cup – from May 22 to 31, 2026, and the Rockets will be searching to play with a little better consistency when they return to action after Christmas.

The Raiders stormed out of the gates on Friday night scoring three times on their first six shots of the contest to hold a 3-0 lead at the 9:54 mark of the opening frame. Linden Burrett, who is a 19-year-old defenceman, scored just 78 seconds into the game on a backhander off an offensive rush, and Raiders captain Justice Christensen hammered home the club’s first power-play goal of the night to give the hosts a 2-0 lead.

Gorzynski completed the surge with his first power-play goal of the contest and the Raiders second tally with the man advantage. Holding the puck at a bad angle to the right side of the Kelowna net, the Scottsdale, Arizona, product put a shot to the top right corner of the net over the shoulder of Rockets breakout star rookie netminder Harrison Boettiger.

Before the first period ended, the Rockets made a push back that saw captain Carson Wetsch fire home his 13^th of the season just 35 seconds after Gorzynski’s first tally to trim the Raiders lead to 3-1.

Just 84 seconds into the second period, Raiders 17-year-old right-winger Jonah Sivertson potted his 10^th goal of the season to push the home side’s lead out to 4-1. At the 3:02 mark of the second, Gorzynski slipped home a backhand shot from the front of the Kelowna net for an even strength tally to give the Raiders a 5-1 advantage.

That tally knocked Boettiger out of the game as he was pulled by the Rockets coaching staff after stopping 8-of-13 shots sent his way to take the loss in net for the visitors. Josh Banini turned away 23-of-26 shots playing the rest of the way in relief.

The Rockets didn’t go away. Jaxon Kehrig, who is an 18-year-old centre, scored for the Rockets at the 11:47 mark of the second to cut the Raiders lead to 5-2.

Gorzynski picked up his first of two assists by setting up 17-year-old right-winger Riley Boychuk for a power-play goal at the 13:04 mark of the second to push the Raiders advantage out to 6-2.

Rockets 19-year-old right-winger Dawson Gerwing netted his sixth goal of the campaign at the 16:30 mark of the second to trim the Prince Albert lead to 6-3. Kelowna’s offence proceeded to dry up at that point.

Just 2:33 into the third, Raiders star 20-year-old centre Aiden Oiring scored on the power play by potting the rebound from a shot taken by Gorzynski to make the score sit at 7-3 in favour of the hosts.

With 5:12 remaining in the third, Gorzynski completed his hat trick by firing home a power-play goal from the right faceoff dot in the Calgary zone to round out the 8-3 final score in favour of Prince Albert.

Dimitri Fortin made 34 saves to pick up the win in goal for the Raiders.

Oiring had three assists to go with his goal. He also surpassed 200 career points in regular season play with his big night. In 231 career regular season contests played between the Winnipeg Ice and the Raiders, Oiring has collected 76 goals and 126 assists for 202 points.

Maddix McCagherty, Brayden Dube, Brock Cripps and Daxon Rudolph each had two helpers for the Raiders.

The Rockets return to action on Saturday, December 27 when they host the 15-18-1-1 Vancouver Giants (6 p.m. local time, Prospera Place).

The Raiders also return to action on that same day traveling to Swift Current to take on the 8-23-1 Broncos (7 p.m., InnovationPlex).

Heading into the Christmas break, Prince Albert has enjoyed a memorable campaign to this point. With the performance the Raiders put on in the win over the Rockets on Friday, the faithful in “Hockey Town North” will be jumping to pack the Raiders storied home rink and enjoy a few road trips to support their team when game action resumes after the holiday hiatus.

Silvertips rally for 3-2 OT win over Cougars, other notes

Landon DuPont put on his superhero cape to cap a miracle comeback for the WHL leading Everett Silvertips.

Playing before a raucous crowd of 6,073 spectators at the Angel of the Winds Arena in a regular season clash on Friday night, the host Silvertips found themselves trailing the B.C. Division leading Prince George Cougars 2-0 heading into the final two minutes of the third period. It appeared Cougars 19-year-old rookie import netminder Alexander Levshyn was going to steal a victory for the visitors as the Silvertips threw seemingly everything including the kitchen sink at him without getting a goal.

When all hope looked lost for the Silvertips, their offence proceeded to break through.

With 71 seconds remaining in the third and star netminder Raiden LeGall pulled for an extra attacker, Silvertips 20-year-old centre Zackary Shantz potted his 15^th goal of the campaign to cut the Cougars lead to 2-1. He pulled a toe-drag move and fired home a shot between Levshyn’s legs.

With 41.9 second remaining in the third, DuPont, who is the Silvertips star 16-year-old sophomore defenceman, potted the equalizer during a scramble in front of the Prince George net that forced a 2-2 tie and overtime. The rearguard ultimately potted the equalizer off a rebound from a shot taken by Silvertips star right-winger Jesse Heslop.

At the 2:47 mark of the three-versus-three overtime period, DuPont drove down the right wing with the puck, zipped past the Cougars defence, cut across the front of the Prince George net and fired home the winner after making a toe drag move. The spectacular tally that gave the Silvertips the 3-2 victory was DuPont’s sixth tally and third winner of the campaign.

The comeback helped the Silvertips push their winning streak to seven games heading into their Christmas break as they improved their WHL leading record to 27-3-2-1. The Silvertips topped the CHL Top 10 Rankings that were released on Tuesday.

The Cougars continued to lead the B.C. Division as their record moved to 22-9-1 with the extra time setback as they set off on their Christmas break.

Prince George went ahead 1-0 in Friday’s clash with the Silvertips on a second period goal from 19-year-old defenceman Corbin Vaughan. The Cougars appeared to have locked down a victory after going ahead 2-0 with 2:50 remaining in the third when 18-year-old import rookie centre Dmitri Yakutsenak netted his 14^th goal of the campaign.

That set the stage for the epic Silvertips rally for the win.

LeGall made 14 saves to pick up the win in goal for the Silvertips. Levshyn turned away 51 shots to take the extra time setback in net for the Cougars.

The Silvertips return to action on Saturday, December 27 when they travel to Kent, Washington, to face the 13-14-2-1 Seattle Thunderbirds (6 p.m. local time, Accesso ShoWare Centre).

The Cougars also get back at it on that same day when they host the 13-11-4-3 Victoria Royals (6 p.m. local time, CN Centre).

• In Calgary, 18-year-old breakout star right-winger Joby Baumuller scored in overtime to deliver the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings to a 3-2 victory over the host Hitmen. The Wheat Kings jumped out to a 2-0 in the first period and the Hitmen rallied with single goals in the second and third frames to even the score at 2-2 and force overtime.
• In Kent, Washington, Antonio Martorana and Brock England scored in a tiebreaking shootout to give the host Seattle Thunderbirds a 2-0 win in the tiebreaking session and a 1-0 overall game victory over the visiting Kamloops Blazers. Logan Edmonstone turned away 40 shots over 65 minutes and one shooter in the shootout for the Blazers. Marek Sklenicka stopped 36 shots and both shooters he faced in the shootout for the Thunderbirds.
• In Langley, B.C., 16-year-old rookie left-winger Ludovic Perreault scored the first three goals of the game to power the visiting Victoria Royals to a 5-1 victory over the host Vancouver Giants. Royals 17-year-old left-winger Nolan Stewart had one goal and three assists in the win, while 18-year-old right-winger Caleb Matthews had one goal and two assists for the visitors. Of course, Perreault, Stewart and Matthews play on the same line.

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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Brutal break does in Blades

Rockets rally for 3-2 win after tiebreaking shootout

It proved to be the perfect time for Poke Check to take a nap.

On Wednesday night at the SaskTel Centre, the Saskatoon Blades mascot found time to catch some sleep during a lengthy video review with 1:58 remaining in the third period in a WHL regular season contest between the host Blades and the visiting Kelowna Rockets. While the antics of the Blades mascot created some laughs, the outcome of the video review would ultimately not favour the home side.

With the Blades holding a 2-1 lead, the officials were trying to determine if the Rockets had scored the equalizer during a mad scramble around the Saskatoon net, where the play was blown dead after the goal was dislodged. The officials were trying to determine if the puck crossed the goal-line before the net came off its posts.

Eventually, the video review determined the puck had just gone into the Saskatoon net before the net itself came fully off its posts resulting in a good goal. Rockets offensive-defenceman Will Sharpe was given credit for scoring the equalizer.

Most at the SaskTel Centre among the paid attendance of 2,514 spectators rained down boos. Due to a blizzard happening in Saskatoon on Wednesday, a lot of the ticket buyers understandably no-showed for the contest.

The teams advanced into overtime locked in a 2-2 tie. Late in the overtime period, Blades 18-year-old defenceman Brayden Klimpke found himself alone on a breakaway, but he missed the net with his shot. A short time later, Rockets breakout star 18-year-old rookie netminder Harrison Boettiger made a huge left pad save off Blades 17-year-old right-winger Zach Olsen to force the contest to go to a tiebreaking shootout.

The Blades had dominated the three-on-three overtime session holding a 6-1 edge in shots on goal.

In the tiebreaking shootout, Rockets star 20-year-old centre Shane Smith scored the only goal by snapping a shot past Blades star netminder 19-year-old netminder Evan Gardner in the third round. Smith’s goal gave the Rockets a 1-0 victory in the tiebreaking session and a 3-2 overall win in the contest.

Boettiger proved to be a huge reason for the fact the Rockets, who will host the CHL championship tournament – the Memorial Cup – this coming May, pulled out the road triumph. He made 40 saves over the first 65 minutes of play and turned away all three shooters he faced in the shootout.

The Rockets improved to 16-11-3-1 with the win. They travel to Prince Albert on Friday to face the Raiders (22-5-4) at 7 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre. That will be the last game for both clubs before they head out on their respective Christmas breaks.

Gardner also had a huge night in getting saddled with the tough luck extra time setback. He made 33 saves over 65 minutes of play and stopped two-of-three shooters in the shootout.

With the extra time setback, the Blades record moved to 17-14-2-1.They now head off on their Christmas break. The Blades return to action on Saturday, December 27, for their Teddy Bear Toss Game hosting the Regina Pats (11-17-2-1) at 7 p.m. at the SaskTel Centre.

In Wednesday’s clash, the Rockets got on the scoreboard first on a goal from 18-year-old left-winger Levi Benson at the 8:37 mark of the opening frame.

Just over six minutes later, Blades standout 18-year-old centre Hayden Harsanyi evened things up at 1-1. Harsanyi proceeded to net his second of the contest and 10^th goal of the campaign with 3:59 remaining in the second period to give the Blades their 2-1 edge.

That set the stage dramatics in the third period, overtime and the shootout.

Overall, the fans that made it to the SaskTel Centre saw a really compelling game. One tough break for the home side and a great development for the visitors on a late third period video review turned out to be the difference in the contest.

Pats get puck luck in 5-4 win over Raiders

The Regina Pats puck luck around the net helped bring an end to the Prince Albert Raiders five game winning streak.

Playing before 2,576 spectators at the Brandt Centre on Wednesday night, the host Pats slipped past the visiting Raiders 5-4 despite the fact the Raiders had a 38-23 edge in shots on goal. Pats 19-year-old netminder Marek Schlenker had a big night making 34 saves in the win as Regina improved to 11-17-2-1. Raiders 19-year-old netminder Dimitri Fortin turned away 18 shots as Prince Albert fell to 22-5-4.

The Raiders, who are rated third in the CHL’s Top 10 Rankings, opened the game’s scoring at the 5:52 mark of the first period, when 18-year-old left-winger Oli Chenier put a between the legs shot to the top corner of the Regina net.

With 41.8 seconds remaining in the first, Pats 17-year-old right-winger Zachary Lansard fired home the equalizer that evened the score at 1-1. The two sides exited the opening 20 minutes locked in that 1-1 tie with the Raiders holding a 12-4 edge in shots on goal.

Raiders star offensive-defenceman Daxon Rudolph fired home a power-play goal just 1:33 into the second to put the visitors back in front 2-1. Before the second ended, the Pats received a power-play goal from Lansard and an even-strength tally from 20-year-old right-winger Caden Brown to head into the second intermission holding a 3-2 lead.

At the 4:50 mark of the third, Raiders 16-year-old rookie left-winger Connor Howe netted his second goal of the season to force a 3-3 tie.

The Pats responded getting an even-strength goal from captain Ephram McNutt and a power-play tally from 19-year-old centre Ellis Mieyette to jump ahead 5-3.

With 72 seconds remaining in the third, Raiders star 20-year-old captain Justice Christensen fired home his seventh of the campaign to trim the Regina lead to 5-4. The Raiders weren’t able to find another tally to force overtime.

Pats 18-year-old left-winger Connor Bear received a double minor for high-sticking with 4:30 remaining in the third, and Raiders 18-year-old rookie left-winger Owen Corkish was tabbed for a double minor for high-sticking with 3:34 remaining in the third. Both infractions will be automatically reviewed by the WHL office for a possible suspension.

The Pats now head out on their Christmas break. They return to action on Saturday, December 27, when they travel to Saskatoon to face the 17-14-2-1 Blades (7 p.m., SaskTel Centre).

The Raiders return home to host the Kelowna Rockets (16-11-3-1) on Friday (7 p.m., Art Hauser Centre).

Tigers run winning streak to 10, other notes

The Medicine Hat Tigers are heading into their WHL Christmas break on fire.

On Wednesday playing before 3,006 spectators at Co-op Place, the Tigers won their 10^th straight game downing the Brandon Wheat Kings 7-3. The Tigers win ends a seven game winning streak the Wheat Kings had been on.

Brandon scored the first goal in Wednesday’s clash coming off the stick of 17-year-old star centre Jaxon Jacobson just past the midway point of the opening frame. The Tigers pulled even at 1-1 just under two minutes later on a goal from 17-year-old rookie left-winger Noah Davidson.

Just 1:58 into the second period, 20-year-old centre Nicholas Johnson scored for the Wheat Kings to give them a 2-1 advantage.

The Tigers responded scoring three straight goals coming off the sticks of Kyle Heger, Liam Ruck and Ethan Neutens to take a 4-2 advantage at the 10:28 mark of the second.

Before the second ended, Wheat Kings 19-year-old centre Carter Klippenstein netted his 10^th goal of the season to cut the Tigers lead to 4-3.

Medicine Hat proceeded to cruise to victory in the third scoring three times to round out the 7-3 final score. Captain Bryce Pickford, Tyson Moss and Jonas Woo all netted singles for the Tigers. Pickford’s tally was his 25^th goal of the campaign, while Woo has a career-high 16 tallies on the season.

Carter Casey made 22 stops to pick up the win in goal for the Tigers, who are rated ninth in the CHL’s Top 10 Rankings. The Tigers improved to 22-6-3-2 to jump into first overall in the WHL’s Eastern Conference by sitting one standings point ahead of the Prince Albert Raiders (22-5-4). The Raiders have two games in hand on the Tigers.

Jayden Kraus turned away 32 shots to take the setback in net for the Wheat Kings.

At the 7:15 mark of the second period, Wheat Kings 19-year-old rookie defenceman Max Lavoie took on Davidson in a fight.

The Tigers return to action on Saturday, December 27, when they travel to Lethbridge to face the 11-22-0-1 Hurricanes (6 p.m. local time, VisitLethbridge.com Arena).

The Wheat Kings get back at it on Friday when they travel to Calgary to take on the 17-9-3-1 Hitmen (1 p.m. local time, Scotiabank Saddledome).

• In Calgary, import centre Andrei Molgachev collected four assists as the host Hitmen hammered the visiting Swift Current Broncos 9-2 on Wednesday. Caine Wilke, Kale Dach and Julien Maze all had two-goal nights for the Hitmen.
• In Kamloops, 18-year-old right-winger Savin Virk had the overtime winner, an assist and was a plus-two in the plus-minus department as his visiting Tri-City Americans edged the host Blazers 4-3. The Blazers held a 3-1 lead, but the Americans rolled off the last three goals of the contest to pull off the comeback.
• In Everett, 16-year-old star sophomore defenceman Landon DuPont had the winning goal, one assists and was a plus-two as his host Silvertips slipped past the visiting Wenatchee Wild 3-2. The Silvertips have won six straight and lead the WHL’s overall standings with a 26-3-2-1 mark. The Silvertips are rated first in the CHL’s Top 10 Rankings.
• In Penticton, 20-year-old right-winger Brady Birnie netted a hat trick by scoring the final three goals to allow his Vees to down the visiting Prince George Cougars 5-2. The Vees now sport a 16-9-4-3 record in their first WHL season after moving up from the junior A ranks.
• On December 9, I had new content appear on the Howe Happenings blog that supports the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. I put together a feature on 16-year-old flag football star Adley Tomlenovich. In the piece, Tomlenovich talks about her journey in the sport as a quarterback. She also took up being the head coach for a Grade 6 female squad that plays in the 5 on 5 NFL Youth Flag Football circuit overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football. The piece on Tomlenovich can be found by clicking right here. I also put together a photo roundup that is anchored by images of the Saskatoon Hilltops winning their 24^th CJFL championship. That post can be found by clicking right here.

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

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Raiders break the wall down

Prince Albert successfully navigates first down stretch

The Raiders overcame a tough stretch of three straight losses.

All hockey teams during a course of a season will hit rough waters no matter what league they play in.

That includes teams having great, good, middle of the road or rebuilding seasons. Even for teams that are having great seasons, it is inevitable they will hit the wall at some point in time. All teams don’t want to hit the wall, but eventually a club will just come out flat no matter what anyone on that squad tries to do to prevent that from happening.

The Prince Albert Raiders, who lead the WHL’s East Division with a 19-4-4 mark, just hit one of those down stretches. They also ensured the down stretch didn’t last long. Actually, it has to be taken as a great accomplishment that the Raiders played into late November before hitting a wall.

The down stretch started seemingly out of the blue on November 29, when the Raiders were hosting the Medicine Hat Tigers at the Art Hauser Centre. With the teams locked in a 2-2 tie and 1:37 remaining on the clock, Raiders defenceman Linden Burrett went to clear the puck out of his own zone, and the puck deflected off the skate of Tigers centre Kadon McCann, flipped high in the air and deflected off the shoulder of Raiders star import netminder Michal Orsulak into the Prince Albert net.

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

Cripps makes immediate impact on Raiders back end

Brock Cripps jets up the Ice for the Raiders last Friday.

Brock Cripps is showing he doesn’t need to be eased into the WHL.

The 16-year-old rookie defenceman with the Prince Albert Raiders has dived head first into the deep end and is swimming at a fairly good pace. In the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft, Cripps was selected by the Raiders second overall in the first round.

The Victoria, B.C., product came to “Hockey Town North” with the potential to be a WHL standout or star. The Raiders were pegged to have a sturdy blue-line crew for the current campaign that could also move the puck and spark offence.

On paper, it appeared Cripps, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 160 pounds, was going to be in a spot to have a great learning season that would allow him to take off in later campaigns. Cripps is showing he is a quick learner and is already taking off. In the 16 appearances he has made with the Raiders so far this season, Cripps has recorded two goals, seven assists and a plus-12 rating in the plus-minus department.

He also played under Raiders head coach Ryan McDonald for Canada Red at the U17 World Challenge that ran Nov. 2 to 8 in Truno, Nova Scotia. Canada Red posted a 4-0-1 record at that event and claimed a 6-3 victory over Canada White in the Gold Medal game. The Canada White roster contained Raiders 16-year-old right-winger Ben Harvey.

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

Raiders win, everyone pitches in

Man nets first WHL goal, Heise picks up winner

The Raidcrs celebrate a first career WHL goal from Matyas Man (#5).

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. – Matyas Man was pumped to finally slam the first goal monkey off of his back.

On Friday playing in front of a standing room crowd of 2,942 spectators at the 2,580 Art Hauser Centre, the Prince Albert Raiders import rookie 19-year-old defenceman was in search of his first career WHL goal playing in his 19^th regular season game. Just 4:50 into a clash with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Man received a pass at the top of the left faceoff circle from Raiders rookie 16-year-old right-winger Ben Harvey.

Man drove a shot past Wheat Kings netminder Jayden Kraus to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. From that point, the Raiders would skate on to post a solid 4-1 victory to improve their WHL East Division leading record to 16-1-4.

Matyas Man scored the Raiders first goal on Friday.

“The first thing that goes in my head was like, finally, after 19 games I finally scored my first goal,” said Man, who also has three assists and a plus-11 rating in the plus-minus department on the campaign. “I was happy, and I don’t know what to do like how to celebrate and what I should do.

“I just turn around and wait for the boys. That is probably the first feeling after the goal that I scored.”

While it took a little time for him to get his first goal, Man said he has enjoyed his first season with the Raiders after coming over from the Czechia. He said his teammates on the Raiders are great in ensuring his spirits stay high.

“I think the boys are supportive,” said Man. “They always support me.

Max Heise tipped home a power-play goal for the Raiders.

“They cheer me, when I’m not going great. They cheer me up. I’m happy to be here.”

Man’s goal allowed the Raiders to hit high gear in Friday’s contest. Just 43 seconds after his tally, the Raiders struck on the power play to go ahead 2-0. Raiders sophomore 17-year-old right-winger Riley Boychuk took a shot from above the right faceoff circle that was tipped home by rookie 19-year-old centre Max Heise to give the hosts their two-goal edge.

The tally was the 10^th goal of the campaign for Heise, who wasn’t sure at first if he actually got the power-play marker.

“They kind of left me alone in front of the net, and I saw Chuck (Boychuk) rolling down high,” said Heise. “He made a good play to me.

Jayden Kraus stopped 28-of-31 shots for the Wheat Kings.

“I thought he kind of scored it. I felt it off my stick, but I wasn’t sure if it went in. Then, I just heard the crowd and saw him (Boychuk) celebrating and pointing at me.

“It was nice to get one.”

The Raiders proceeded to keep peppering the Brandon net with shots only to be kept at bay by Wheat Kings netminder and 19-year-old Prince Albert product Jayden Kraus, who was acquired in a trade with the Victoria Royals in the off-season. Kraus, who was stellar last season with the Royals, continued to keep the Raiders at bay in the second.

With 8:17 remaining in the second, the Raiders got a break off a positive bounce play. After pinning the Wheat Kings in their own zone, Raiders star 20-year-old centre Aiden Oiring had the puck behind the Brandon net.

Brock Cripps netted the Raiders third goal on Friday.

Oiring centred a pass that deflected off the skate of Wheat Kings defenceman Max Lavoie right to Raiders 16-year-old rookie defenceman Brock Cripps, who pinched down from the point to the front of the Brandon net. Cripps wired home a shot for his second goal of the season to push the Raiders advantage out to 3-0.

Raiders head coach Ryan McDonald liked the persistence his team showed on that third tally.

“I think you look at the goal, and you look how it was scored,” said McDonald. “The shift was sustained by just some tremendous work underneath the tops of the circles.

“I think we reset it two or three times underneath and just continued to keep grinding. We were able to suck them away from the net front, and then Cripsy comes down off that backside and gets rewarded.”

Luke Mistelbacher gave the Wheat Kings life with a power-play goal.

The Wheat Kings were able to create some suspense for a short moment in the third. While working on a two-man advantage, Wheat Kings star centre Luke Mistelbacher wired home a mid range shot from the front of the Prince Albert net to trim the Raiders lead to 3-1.

The host side stayed composed, and with 60 seconds remaining in the third, Boychuk fired home a long-distance empty-net goal to seal the 4-1 victory.

Heise said he has enjoyed the fact that everyone on the Raiders roster is contributing to the team’s success in the first third of the regular season, and that characteristic showed through again on Friday.

Michal Orsulak stopped 18 shots in goal for the Raiders.

“I think that defence wins championships, and we have four really balanced lines,” said Heise. “You need deep teams to win.

“That is what we have, and it is a great group.”

The rivalry between the Raiders and Wheat Kings did show itself with some various chippy moments. That included a big scrum at the end of the first period that saw Heise and Wheat Kings rearguard Nigel Boehm draw fighting majors.

Wheat Kings star centre Jaxon Jacobson left the game after the first period and did not return with an undisclosed ailment.

At the 11:04 mark of the second, Raiders centre Ethan Bibeau took on Wheat Kings centre Carter Klippenstein in a short bout, where Klippenstein was able to tackle Bibeau down to the ground.

Riley Boychuk had an empty-net goal for the Raiders.

“They’re a team that plays hard,” said McDonald. “They play heavy.

“They play straight lines. That is a playoff style game where you’re fighting for inches out there. Again for us, we have to be making sure you’re checking with your feet, not with your sticks and making sure that they’ve got to turn and get pucks every time that we have it.”

Michal Orsulak stopped 18 shots to pick up the win in goal for the Raiders. Kraus turned away 28-of-31 shots to take the setback in net for the Wheat Kings (10-10-1).

The Wheat Kings return to action on Saturday when they travel to Saskatoon to take on the Blades (7 p.m., SaskTel Centre).

The Raiders salute their faithful at the Art Hauser Centre.

The Raiders are off until Friday, November 28, when they travel to Brandon to face the Wheat Kings (7 p.m. local time, Assiniboine Credit Union Place). McDonald admitted it was a bit different to have a Saturday and Sunday off before playing again this coming Friday.

“It is an opportunity for us to continue to make sure that rest and recovery is top of mind,” said McDonald. “We came off a real extensive grind on that U.S. road trip in four (games) in five (days) to finish it off.

“You operate on the bus after playing a couple games back-to-back, and the lactic acid is built up in your legs for an 18-hour bus ride home. I am real proud of our effort out here tonight, and our game in total. It just gives us another opportunity to make sure that we’re ready for our peak performance level come (this coming) Friday.”

Mesenchuk, Twyver join Raiders Wall of Honour

Bob Twyver, centre left, and Wayne Mesenchuk, centre right, are honoured.

Wayne Mesenchuk and Bob Twyver were named as the two latest additions to the Prince Albert Raiders Wall of Honour.

The two builders were officially inducted to the Raiders Wall of Honour in a pre-game ceremony on Friday at the Art Hauser Centre before the Raiders downed the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings 4-1 in a WHL regular season clash. Both Mesenchuk and Twyver have long links with the Raiders and have played key roles in ensuring the franchise could continue to exist over the long term in “Hockey Town North.”

Mesenchuk became part of the Raiders general membership in 1985. He served as the team’s president for two years, vice-president for three years and governor for three years.

During the 1993-94 campaign while serving as president, Mesenchuk initiated a task force that had a mandate to study the long term viability of the Raiders as a non-profit community owned organization in a small market. The final report was completed in the spring of 1994 and many of the report’s recommendations were implemented in the years following that have resulted in the Raiders being a thriving franchise in the current day and a valued partner in the WHL.

Bob Twyver and Wayne Mesenchuk displays on the Raiders Wall of Honour.

Twyver has been a season ticket supporter for over 50 years, and he became the club’s director of business operations in the 2001-02 campaign. He was elected to the Raiders board of directors from 2002 to 2007 and was a founding member of the “Bring Back the Magic” campaign during 2003 to 2006.

That project saw the expansion and modernization of the Art Hauser Centre to meet WHL standards.

Twyver served as the Raiders education advisor from 2003 to 2010. During that time, the Raiders were awarded the WHL Scholastic Team of the Year Award in 2009.

Hockey Canada chose Twyver as the U-18 Team Canada education advisor for the 2006 world championships in Sweden, where Canada finished fourth. He served as the education advisor for the U-18 Team Canada squad in 2008, where Canada won gold at the world championships in Russia.

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Raiders rally comes up just short in Wenatchee in 4-3 OT loss

Prince Albert wraps up roadie with 5-1-1 record

The Prince Albert Raiders could have adopted “Iron Man” as their theme song for being road warriors.

On Saturday, the Raiders wrapped up a seven-game road jaunt that included visits to every rink in the WHL’s U.S. Division with a 4-3 overtime setback to the host Wild at the Town Toyota Centre in Wenatchee, Washington. During the trip, the Raiders posted a 5-1-1 record. The Black Sabbath song “Iron Man” was used as the theme song of the professional wrestling tag team The Road Warriors made up of partners Animal and Hawk during their days in the now defunct AWA.

In the clash with the Wild played before 3,021 spectators, the Raiders entered the third period trailing 3-1. They received a single from 19-year-old centre Evan Smith with 10:15 remaining in the third and the equalizer from 19-year-old defenceman Linden Burrett with 3:25 remaining in the frame to force a 3-3 tie and overtime.

At the 1:54 mark of overtime, the Wild broke into the Raiders zone on a two-on-one break. Wild centre Caelan Joudrey wired a shot on goal that Raiders rookie import netminder Michal Orsulak got a big piece of, but the puck was able to get out from under the goalie and enter the Prince Albert net to give Wenatchee a 4-3 win.

In the first period, Blake Vanek and Luka Shcherbyna netted singles to put the Wild up 2-0. Late in the first, Raiders 16-year-old rookie defenceman Brock Cripps scored his first career WHL regular season goal to trim the Wild lead to 2-1.

Wild centre Maddix McCagherty had the lone goal in the second period to give the host side a 3-1 lead. That set the stage for the dramatics in the third period and overtime.

Orsulak turned away 25 shots to take the extra time setback in goal for the Raiders (15-1-4). Import rookie netminder Tobias Tyrznik stopped 39 shots to pick up the win in goal for the Wild (6-10-1-1).

The Raiders return to action on Friday, when they host the Brandon Wheat Kings (7 p.m., Art Hauser Centre).

The Wild get back at it on Sunday when they travel to Portland to take on the Winterhawks (4 p.m. local time, Veterans Memorial Coliseum).

Wild head coach Don Nachbaur coached in his 1,413^th career WHL regular season contest on Saturday as he continues to build on his league record in that department. He has an all-time coaching record of 721-568-124 in regular season play.

Nachbaur set a new league record for career regular season games coached last Friday, when his squad fell 6-3 to the Winterhawks in Portland. That moved him one game ahead of the old mark of 1,411 games coached by WHL legend with the Winterhawks franchise in Ken Hodge.

Nachbaur, 66, had previously been the head coach of the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, Tri-City Americans and Spokane Chiefs in his coaching career.

Blades outgun Rebels 6-5

The Saskatoon Blades won their third straight on Saturday night when they outlasted the host Red Deer Rebels in a wild 1980s offensive type night.

Blades 17-year-old star centre Cooper Williams had two goals and one assist to power the Blades to a 6-5 victory before 4,736 spectators at the Marchant Crane Centrium. Rebels sophomore 19-year-old left-winger Jaxon Fuder had a hat trick and an assist in the setback.

The teams exited the first period locked in a 2-2 tie, and the Blades held a 3-2 edge going into the second intermission. The two squads found themselves locked in a 4-4 tie in the third before the Blades shot out to hold a 6-4 lead. The Rebels trimmed the Blades advantage to 6-5 with four minutes to play in the third, but Saskatoon hung on to ensure that was the game’s final outcome.

Rowan Calvert, Dominik Petr, Hunter Laing and Kazden Mathies all had singles for the Blades. Samuel Drancak and Beckett Hamilton picked up singles for the Rebels.

Evan Gardner stopped 18 shots to pick up the win in goal for the Blades (13-8-2). Matthew Kondro turned away 27 shots to take the setback in net for the Rebels (7-11-1-2).

The Blades return to action on Friday when they host the Swift Current Broncos (7 p.m., SaskTel Centre).

The Rebels get back at it on Friday when they host the Medicine Hat Tigers (7 p.m. local time, Marchant Crane Centrium).

Broncos fined $10,000, DeSilva resigns

A WHL dropped the hammer on the Swift Current Broncos that also saw the resignation of Broncos head coach Dean DeSilva over breaches the WHL Standards of Conduct.

On Friday, the WHL fined the Broncos organization $10,000 after an investigation of DeSilva over breaches of the WHL Standards of Conduct. The investigation found that DeSilva, in the process of administering player discipline, breached the Standards of Conduct during two separate on-ice incidents. One occurred during the Broncos 4-0 regular season road loss to the Raiders in Prince Albert on October 24, and the other occurred during a Broncos practice on October 27.

The WHL had previously suspended DeSilva on November 5. On Friday, the WHL finalized DeSilva’s suspension at five games, which finished up on Tuesday when the Broncos lost at home 4-1 to the visiting Saskatoon Blades.

After the disciplinary action was announced, the Broncos announced they had accepted the resignation of DeSilva effective immediately.

“Following careful consideration, it was mutually determined that in the best interest of both Dean and the organization, this is the right path forward,” said Broncos general manager Chad Leslie in a release. “The Swift Current Broncos are committed to providing a positive environment for all players.”

Broncos assistant coach Regan Darby had assumed the head coach role, when DeSilva was initially suspended. On Friday, Darby was officially named the team’s interim head coach.

This situation was brought to the WHL’s attention through its anonymous 1-800 WHL Respect line, which provides players, staff and others associated with the WHL with a confidential avenue to report concerns or incidents that may violate WHL standards.

In this situation, the WHL has imposed remedial measures that include supplementary education and support, enhanced monitoring and preventative steps to ensure there is no recurrence of similar conduct.

DeSilva, 57, was hired before the start of the current campaign. The Broncos parted ways with their previous head coach Taras McEwen on May 15 after the squad posted a 35-30-1-2 record and was eliminated in the first round of the WHL Playoffs by the eventual WHL champion Medicine Hat Tigers.

McEwen is currently the head coach of the Prairie Hockey Academy’s U18 Prep team. During his time with the Broncos, he moved from assistant coach to interim head coach on November 29, 2023 before becoming head coach without the interim tag.

McEwen took over the head coach role from Devan Praught. Praught had been suspended five games for violating the WHL Standards of Conduct. He parted ways with the Broncos the day McEwen was named the team’s interim head coach.

Praught is currently an assistant coach with the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Hurricanes fined $10,000, GM suspended

The WHL dropped the hammer on the Lethbridge Hurricanes and the team’s general manager Peter Anholt.

On Friday, the WHL announced that Anholt has been suspended from his duties effective immediately and continuing through to Tuesday, November 25 and has issued a $10,000 fine to the Hurricanes organization. The sanctions come following a WHL investigation that found Anholt breached the WHL Standards of Conduct through the use of intimidating behavior and language during a post-game address to players in the dressing room following the team’s 8-6 home ice loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings on October 29.

Anholt will be eligible to return to his Hurricanes duties on Wednesday, November 26. The Hurricanes will have played five games during Anholt’s suspension.

Barclay Parneta, who is a senior advisor for the Hurricanes, will handle Anholt’s responsibilities in the interim.

“My behavior and language in addressing our team did not meet expectations,” said Anholt in a release. “The Lethbridge Hurricanes have always believed in providing a positive environment for our players.

“I accept the discipline issued by the WHL and will be committed to a higher standard moving forward.”

This situation was brought to the WHL’s attention through its anonymous 1-800 WHL Respect line, which provides players, staff and others associated with the WHL with a confidential avenue to report concerns or incidents that may violate WHL standards.

In this situation, the WHL has imposed remedial measures that include supplementary education and support, enhanced monitoring and preventative steps to ensure there is no recurrence of similar conduct.

Anholt, 65, has been part of the Hurricanes organization since the start of the 2014-15 campaign. He took over the general manager’s role part way through that campaign and saved a Hurricanes franchise that was so in trouble at that time its existence in Lethbridge was questioned.

During his many decades in hockey or when he held management positions outside the game, Anholt has often been viewed as one of the best guys to work for or play for. For myself personally, he will always be someone I will go to bat for. Anholt and his family are all great people.

Over his career in hockey, Anholt has always brought a great passion to the game. With how the world is in the current day, I suspect his passion is what got him in trouble in that post-game address on October 29.

Anholt, who is a former Raiders player and head coach, is always accountable, and I believe he will come out of this situation in a great form. If I owned a WHL team, I would take Anholt as a general manager, coach or any role he would like. Any hockey team is a better hockey team, if Anholt is a part of the club.

Stevens named top grad at Hilltops awards

Hilltops DT Johnathon Stevens with HC Tom Sargeant.

Johnathon Stevens will go down as one of the all-time greats in the history of the Saskatoon Hilltops, so it was no surprise he claimed one last big honour with the team.

On Friday, the Hilltops hosted the Saskatoon Hilltops Football Club Honours at the Roxy Theatre. For the third straight year, the Hilltops held an awards show similar in nature to awards shows hosted by the NFL and NHL. The storied and historic club was also celebrating the end of a campaign that saw the venerable squad with a 24^th CJFL title.

Last Sunday, the Hilltops edged the Okanagan Sun 21-18 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field in the CJFL Championship Game – the Canadian Bowl.

Stevens, who is the team’s star 22-year-old defensive tackle, was named the winner of the Drs. Landa-Doig Award as the team’s most outstanding graduate. In 2025, Stevens also claimed honours as a CJFL first team all-Canadian all-star, a PFC all-star and the PFC’s most outstanding defensive lineman.

During the regular season, Stevens recorded 11 solo defensive tackles, 18 defensive tackle assists, three quarterback sacks, one pass knockdown, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.

Steven also attended training camp for the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders and was on the Roughriders practice roster until he rejoined the Hilltops for his fifth and final CJFL campaign.

The Past President’s Trophy as the team’s rookie of the year went to centre Matt Elash. Elash became the Hilltops starting centre in their third regular season game. He was named a PFC all-star and to the PFC’s all-rookie team.

Graduating defensive tackle Nahom Menghestab claimed the Ray Syrnyk Trophy as the team’s top lineman. He did a tonne of grunt work occupying two blocks to allow his teammates to make plays.

The Don and Jim Seaman Memorial Award for the top linebacker went to fourth year outside linebacker Rudolph Osborne. During the regular season Osborne recorded 26 solo defensive tackles, 11 defensive tackle assists, one special team solo tackle and two pass knockdowns.

Graduating right tackle Victoire Bikulo claimed the Ron Atchison True Grit Award. Bikulo became one of the most beloved players on the Hilltops to go with the stellar performances he put up on the offensive line.

The Jim Courtice Inspiration Award was taken by graduating middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk. Michayluk was a CJFL second team all-Canadian all-star and a PFC all-star. During the regular season, Michayluk finished second in the PFC with 116 defensive points having recorded 32 solo defensive tackles, 22 defensive tackle assists, one special teams solo tackle, four special teams tackle assists, three pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and three interceptions.

Jace Mowles, who is a graduating cornerback, claimed The Blue and Gold Award for dedication and commitment. Mowles had 13 solo defensive tackles, one defensive tackle assist, three special teams solo tackles, three special teams tackle assists, four pass knockdowns and three interceptions in the regular season.

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Hilltops capture Canadian Bowl on guts and hard work

A CJFL title win by Saskatoon not a sure thing in 2025

The Hilltops fifth-year players are pictured with the Canadian Bowl.

At times throughout the 2025 season, it seemed like a CJFL championship win wouldn’t be in the cards for the Saskatoon Hilltops.

Throughout the campaign, injuries and adversity seemed to be just around the corner waiting to derail the storied and historic CJFL club. No matter how seemingly bad things got, the Hilltops players and the team’s coaches led by legendary head coach Tom Sargeant believed.

In true Hilltops fashion, the team found a way. A pair of legacy defining victories including a 30-27 overtime win in the Prairie Football Conference final over the host Regina Thunder and a 21-18 triumph over the visiting Okanagan Sun in the CJFL championship game – the Canadian Bowl – saw the Hilltops become CJFL champions for a 24^th time.

The Hilltops D-line groups get a photo with the Canadian Bowl.

Out of all the Hilltops CJFL title winners, the 2025 squad even with a 9-2 overall record could be viewed as the most unlikely of those championship squads. They are definitely the most unlikely of all the club’s CJFL title winners dating back to at least the 1985 squad. In 1985, the Hilltops under then head coach Kevin Scott faced a large number of injuries causing early struggles that saw the team post a 5-3 regular season mark.

The Hilltops got healthy going into the playoffs that year and would move on to win four straight post-season games to claim the CJFL title with a 9-3 overall mark. Sargeant was a receiver on that 1985 squad and that marked the first time he was on CJFL championship team with the Hilltops. He has since won two more CJFL titles as an assistant coach and 15 CJFL championships as a head coach.

The Hilltops raise the Canadian Bowl as CJFL champions.

This past season in 2025, the Hilltops did have some outstanding talent. At the running back position, they had David Collins, Charles Sawi and Corbin Ebben who could all make plays at any time in the game. 

On defence, the stars were defensive tackles Johnathon Stevens and Nahom Menghestab and middle linebacker Isaac Michayluk.

With that noted, the Hilltops in 2025 will be best remembered for their grit. They grinded through the injuries that seemed to constantly pile up for the team.

David Collins had a stellar season for the Hilltops.

Injuries started before training camp began. Star fifth-year safety Dalton Urban went to the training camp of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders along with Stevens. In a 27-20 pre-season loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on May 30, Urban was injured playing on the kickoff coverage team tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

While unable to play for the Hilltops, Urban was placed on the club’s injured/inactive list. He still remained with the team all season helping the defensive backs with adjustments. Be it the practice field or game day, Urban was there with a tablet offering advice to the men in the Hilltops secondary.

The Hilltops struggled early to stay healthy at the quarterback position. During the eight game regular season, six different pivots threw passes for the ’Toppers.

Nahom Menghestab, left, and Johnathon Stevens anchor the inside.

Saskatoon had to overcome various injuries in the club’s receivers group. As a result of the combination of quarterback and receiver injuries, the Hilltops passing game was not as crisp and consistent as it traditionally has been in the past, but when key plays needed to be made in the passing game, the Hilltops made them.

The regular season started on August 10 with the Hilltops traveling to Winnipeg and being on the wrong end of a 31-11 drubbing against the host Rifles at Maple Grove Rugby Park. That result caught the attention of everyone around the CJFL.

Brexton Elias returned from injury to start at QB for the Hilltops.

After rebounding with two convincing wins at home, the Hilltops got to hit the field with fifth-year Brexton Elias, who was tabbed as the team’s starting quarterback going into the campaign. Due to injury, he didn’t play or start until the team’s fourth regular season game on Sept. 6, when the Hilltops downed the host Thunder 18-15 at Mosaic Stadium.

The Hilltops would run their winning streak to five games before dropping a 24-21 heartbreaker on their home turf of Saskatoon Minor Football Field on September 27. Sargeant said his players came out with a great effort in that contest and shouldered the blame for that setback.

The players believed they could make the 2025 campaign a special one and went back to work. They were aware they needed to keep grinding and building, so there was no looking too far ahead.

Isaiah Vallderruten jets upfield after making a catch.

The Hilltops concluded the regular season playing in adverse rainy and windy conditions on October 12 at SMF Field downing the visiting Calgary Colts 31-6. That allowed Saskatoon to post a 6-2 record during the regular season and ensure a second place finish in the PFC.

With Ebben experiencing injuries early in the regular season, Collins emerged as the star starting running back. He would record the 11^th individual season where a Hilltops running back broke 1,000-yards rushing for the regular season. Collins finished the regular season with 126 carries for 1,028 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The product of St. Michael, Minn., was one of the first three players the Hilltops ever had on their roster from the United States and all were in their final campaigns of eligibility for the CJFL. CJFL clubs are allowed to have three players born in the U.S. on their rosters.

David Boyd Jr., right, shows off his sure hands for the Hilltops.

The Hilltops’ U.S. contingent included receiver Isaiah Vallderruten from Elizabeth, New Jersey. With Urban out with injury, Vallderruten played both ways for the Hilltops taking on the safety position on defence.

Saskatoon also added receiver David Boyd Jr., who is from St. Cloud, Minn. Boyd Jr. spent the 2024 campaign with the Thunder before electing to move to Saskatoon. He would make some clutch catches as the campaign went on.

The trio of Collins, Vallderruten and Boyd Jr. fit in seamlessly with the Hilltops roster. You would have thought the U.S. born players grew up playing football with the other players on the Saskatoon side.

Charles Sawi made tonnes of exciting plays for the Hilltops.

The post-season began on October 19 at SMF Field with the Hilltops romping over the Rifles 60-26.

An epic comeback followed at Mosaic Stadium in the PFC final against the Thunder. Regina led 24-9 with 10:51 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Saskatoon rallied to even the score 24-24 to force overtime. After the Thunder got a field goal on their overtime possession to go ahead 27-24, Hilltops backup quarterback Griffin Sander hit Vallderruten with a 24-yard winning, walk-off touchdown pass to pull out a legacy-defining 30-27 victory.

In that triumph, the Hilltops coaches elected to pull Elias for Sander, who is a former University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team reserve quarterback, to spark the offence. Elias proceeded to help out as much as he could from the sidelines, and the fact he was a good teammate created an intangible that contributed to the rally.

HC Tom Sargeant keeps providing stellar guidance for the Hilltops. 

Elias got the start in the Canadian Bowl this past Sunday at SMF Field. He again showed his team-first mindset, when the Hilltops elected to pull him for Sander late in the first quarter when Saskatoon was locked in a 2-2 tie with the British Columbia Football Conference champion Sun from Kelowna.

The Hilltops proceeded to go ahead 16-2 in the second quarter and held a 16-4 lead at halftime. The Sun got a first drive touchdown to start the third quarter, but they later conceded a safety in the frame to make the Hilltops lead sit at 18-11.

With 1:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, Sun quarterback Liam Kroeger ran home an 18-yard touchdown to complete a 108-yard scoring drive to force an 18-18 tie.

MLB Isaac Michayluk had an outstanding season on defence.

The Hilltops weren’t done and put together a gritty ensuing drive with big runs on the ground to get into field goal range. Hilltops fourth-year kicker Ryden Gratton nailed a 37-yard field goal with 28.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give the hosts a 21-18 lead.

On the Sun ensuing series, Hilltops third-year strong side linebacker Zaden Taylor came up with a game sealing interception on Kroeger. Saskatoon killed the rest of the clock with kneel downs to cement a 21-18 victory. The celebration was on for the “blue and gold” at SMF Field.

All of a sudden, the Hilltops had completed arguably their most memorable season in the modern history of the club dating back to 1947. When the team was presented the Canadian Bowl as CJFL champions, it felt like the Hilltops 2025 campaign lived to the game’s most famous quote given the man who has the NFL’s Super Bowl trophy named after him in the iconic Vince Lombardi.

Lombardi’s famous quote goes, “I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour – his greatest fulfillment to all he holds dear – is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle – victorious.”

ackson Dean, centre, enjoys the Canadian Bowl with family and friends.

That quote fittingly describes the 2025 Hilltops after their CJFL title game win. They worked their hearts out and earned everything that came their way.

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