Hilltops have best tradition for graduating players

Players to make walk to field with parents

Matt Wist (#44) stands at attention for the national anthem.

It is one the most heartwarming traditions in Canadian sports for graduating players.

On Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the venerable Saskatoon Hilltops (7-0) will close their 2023 regular season hosting the Winnipeg Rifles (2-5). While the Hilltops are going to do everything in their power to have a long post-season run, they use their final regular season home game as an opportunity to honour their graduating players.

During a pre-game ceremony, the Hilltops graduating players will be announced one by one and make the walk to the field with their parents. In past years, the parents usually take the field decked out in cool looking team gear.

This season, the Hilltops took the field with a younger squad, but their roster still contains eight graduation players, who are playing out 22-year-old and final seasons of CJFL eligibility. The Hilltops were unsure where they would stand this season as the Prairie Football Conference they play out of went through a great reset, where teams experienced lots of graduations following the 2022 campaign.

Hilltops legendary head coach Tom Sargeant said his squad sits with a 7-0 record this year due largely to the work of the team’s graduating players.

“When we started out the year, we knew we were a young football team,” said Sargeant. “There is only one reason we’re 7-0, and that is the work and the leadership of this coaching staff and our fifth-year players.

LB Jordan Levesque gets a short-yardage carry.

“We always say the mantra is our goal is to win a championship for our fifth year players. They’re the ones who have stepped up and shown the right leadership and the right way to practice and to perform and to get ready for games. They’ve been our best players on game day.

“At the end of the day, they’ve done their job, and now, it is our job to step up and come out and play our best football of the year. I think when we do that good things are going to happen for this blue and gold squad.”

A total of six players from the graduating group were rookies with the Hilltops when they last won the CJFL championship posting a perfect 12-0 overall record in 2019 in linebackers Matt Wist and Wade Keating, defensive back Carter Wingert, running back Boston Davidsen, defensive lineman Craig Torgerson and receiver Evan Ward. Ward left the Hilltops following the 2021 campaign but rejoined the storied CJFL squad about halfway through the current 2023 regular season.

Linebacker Jordan Levesque and offensive lineman Justice Walker joined the Hilltops following the 2019 campaign.

All of these graduating players are still in the CJFL playing with the Hilltops even with navigating their individual journeys around the fact the 2020 campaign was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world. 

There were all sorts of various restrictions and shutdowns in place when the 2020 season was supposed to happen in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Boston Davidsen charges downfield for the Hilltops.

During that time, there were many athletes that decided to move on with the next step of their lives. Some eventually returned to the high level sports they played, when things returned to action as restrictions were lifted.

This year’s group of graduating players are the second last class that had to navigate around how pandemic restrictions affected their CJFL playing careers. When the Hilltops returned to action in 2021, they have played an important role in getting the Hilltops in a position where they could meet their lofty standards of the past that have seen the team win 22 CJFL titles in their history dating back to 1947.

In 2023, they played an even bigger role helping lead a young roster. While the Hilltops ultimately hope their last game comes playing for a CJFL title on November 11, Sunday’s upcoming game against the Rifles provides ample opportunity to salute the graduating players before they ultimately ride off into the sunset.

Taylor Swift fun at End Zone Dinner

Jorgen Hus, left, and Derrick Moncrief react to a Taylor Swift question.

The Saskatoon Hilltops End Zone Dinner usually provides lots of laughs, and the laughs for one moment surrounded a famous development at the professional level.

The End Zone Dinner, which raises money for the Saskatoon Hilltops Scholarship Fund, went on Saturday, September 30 at the main hall in the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building before the Hilltops downed their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder 19-10 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Guest speakers included a pair of alumni from the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in Al Johns and Carm Carteri along with current Roughriders players in Jorgen Hus and Derrick Moncrief. Johns was a defensive tackle for the Roughriders from 1980 to 1987 and played for the Hilltops in the 1970s. Carteri played linebacker for the Roughriders in 1979, 1980 and 1985, and he had a long run as a colour analyst on Roughriders radio broadcasts that concluded following the 2016 campaign.

Hus is the Roughriders veteran long snapper and he played linebacker with the Hilltops from 2007 to 2009. He helped the Hilltops win a CJFL title in 2007 after graduating from St. Joseph High School.

Moncrief is a veteran linebacker with the Roughriders. He often comes out to Saskatoon to help coach with Saskatoon Minor Football’s Playground To Pros Camp that is held annually in April.

During a question and answer session, Hus and Moncrief were asked if Taylor Swift wasn’t linked with tight end Travis Kelce of the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs which player in the CFL would have the best chance to date her?

The whole room broke out in laughter after the question was asked. Both Hus and Moncrief, who are both married, looked stunned for a short second before breaking out in laughter. They tried to stop laughing but couldn’t keep from chuckling.

They began whispering to each other about who the player might be. They then discussed for a short time that the player had to be a receiver.

Dave Thomas, who was emcee for the dinner, reminded both players that the choice didn’t have to be a teammate.

Hus and Moncrief ultimately settled on naming Roughriders offensive lineman Logan Ferland as being the player in the CFL who would have the best chance to date Swift, if she wasn’t connected with Kelce.

Thunder, Huskies locked in for PFC semi clash, notes

The Thunder look to lock up second place in the PFC.

The Regina Thunder and Edmonton Huskies will play each other in consecutive weeks, but the location for the second encounter is still to be determined.

Going into the final weekend of regular season play for the CJFL’s Prairie Football Conference, the Thunder (5-2) and Huskies (4-3) know they will face each other in a PFC semifinal contest on the opening weekend of the conference playoffs sitting second and third respectively in the conference standings. The location for that contest is still up in the air, because second place in the PFC is still up for grabs.

The Thunder and Huskies close their respective regular season schedules with a head-to-head clash on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Leibel Field in Regina. It is the only regular season meeting between the two squads.

As a result, the winner will lock up second place in the PFC and host the PFC semifinal clash between the two sides. Of course, a Huskies win would mean both teams would have identical 5-3 records, but the Huskies would claim the standings tiebreaker with the head-to-head win.

Along with the battle for second place, a side story to that encounter will see if Thunder star running back Ryland Leichert can hit the 1,000-yard rushing plateau for the season. The 20-year-old has carried the ball 134 times for 892 yards and six touchdowns this season, so he needs 108 yards rushing to hit the 1,000-yard plateau for the campaign.

The match up of who will travel to Saskatoon to face the first place Hilltops (7-0) in the other PFC semifinal isn’t so clear. The Calgary Colts (2-5) sit fourth in the PFC, the Winnipeg Rifles (2-5) are fifth and the Edmonton Wildcats (1-6) are sixth.

The Colts hold the head-to-head standings tiebreaker with the Rifles having won the lone regular season encounter 33-21 between the two sides on Sept. 10 in Calgary.

The Rifles travel to Saskatoon to face the Hilltops (1 p.m., Saskatoon Minor Football Field), and the Colts host the Wildcats at 1 p.m. local time at Shouldice Athletic Park to close the regular season schedules for both those sides.

The Rifles will be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose to the Hilltops. The Wildcats would jump into fourth in the PFC with a win over the Colts and a Rifles loss to the Hilltops. That scenario would leave the Colts, Rifles and Wildcats sitting with 2-6 records, but the Wildcats would advance to the post-season having the best winning percentage in head-to-head games involving those three teams.

The Rifles would make the post-season if they beat the Hilltops on Sunday and the Colts take a loss or a tie in their encounter with the Wildcats on Sunday.

The Colts have the clearest path to the playoffs. They are in if they beat the Wildcats on Sunday.

• Saskatoon Hilltops running back Boston Davidsen leads the PFC win carries (150), rushing yards (1,036) and rushing touchdowns (eight) going into the final weekend of regular season play for the conference. Davidsen has hit the 1,000-yard rushing plateau for the second straight season and needs two more yards rushing to set a new career high.
• Hilltops kicker Teijon Abel-Douglas leads the PFC in scoring with 95 points coming from 21 field goals, four singles and 28 converts going into his team’s final regular season game.
• Hilltops receiver Drake Douglas has 38 catches for 523 yards and three touchdowns heading into the team’s final regular season contest. Douglas’s reception and receiving yardage totals are tops on the team. His receiving yardage total ranks third in the PFC.
• Hilltops middle linebacker and punter Matt Wist leads the PFC in punting average. He has punted the ball 39 times for 1,484 yards for an average of 38.1 yards per kick. His net average of 32.2 yards is also tops in the PFC.
• I was back in the Prince Albert Daily Herald on a couple of fronts with regards to pieces for their WHL preview coverage. I put to together a flashback feature on the 1994-95 Prince Albert Raiders team that came up a win short of going to the CHL’s championship tournament – the Memorial Cup. That piece can be found by clicking right here. I also have a column about the current Raiders having intrigue going into the current 2023-24 campaign. That piece can be found by clicking right here. The locally owned Daily Herald has lots of good content and can be found online at paherald.sk.ca.

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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Hilltops on to the Wildcats

Saskatoon aims to stay even keel after win over Thunder

Ben Marce returns a fumble for the Hilltops.

Tom Sargeant is facing a welcomed challenge.

The legendary head coach’s young Saskatoon Hilltops went into this practice week sporting a 4-0 record after downing their provincial rivals the Regina Thunder 36-6 at Mosaic Stadium in “The Queen City” this past Saturday. The CJFL regular season clash was the Hilltops biggest contest up to this point of the 2023 campaign, and they gave the Thunder their first setback as the Regina side fell to 3-1. The Hilltops now sit alone in first place in the Prairie Football Conference.

Sargeant was good with everyone on the team enjoying that win for the night. The aim going into the practice week was to ensure the team stayed humble and players didn’t think they had it made for the rest of the 2023 CJFL season.

The message to the team was there was still a lot to improve on. Parts of the team’s film sessions were spent going over errors that were made in the win over Regina as the Thunder still made their share of splash plays.

“We’re excited and proud of the win,” said Sargeant. “To go into Regina, that is not an easy task to do.

“To perform the way we’ve performed, I’m very appreciative of the coaches’ effort and game planning and the players’ work ethic and desire. Ultimately, we’re striving for perfection. We’re not even close to the game plans that I need us to play with and that we’ll need to play with at the end of the year.”

Noah Flaman (#85) excepts the Wildcats to play desperate.

The Hilltops next task is to smooth out the errors they made heading into their next contest this coming Sunday when they take on the Edmonton Wildcats (0-4) at 1 p.m. at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta. The ’Toppers romped over the Wildcats 50-2 back on August 13 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field in the regular season opener for both sides.

“We’re on to the Edmonton Wildcats,” said Sargeant. “We know that they’re 0-4, and they’re desperate.

“We have to come out and continue to build on the things we are doing.”

Hilltops third receiver Noah Flaman said his squad is aware the Wildcats are improving. His club is gearing up to be on task once again.

“They’ve gotten way better, and we saw that on film,” said Flaman. “They have a lot of talent and good players and new coaching staff, so we have to be ready for whatever they could throw out.

“They’re 0-4, so they are going to be desperate. We have to come out and be ready for whatever they’re going to throw at us.”

Going into Sunday’s game, Hilltops star power running back Boston Davidsen is putting together an outstanding final CJFL campaign. He tops the PFC with 578 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns coming on 73 carries.

Wildcats 20-year-old linebacker Kieran Harris sits tied with Thunder linebacker Kenten Effa for second in defensive points in the PFC at 46. Harris has collected his points from 20 solo defensive tackles, two defensive tackle assists, and two special teams solo tackles.

Besides worrying about offensive and defensive schemes on Sunday, Flaman said his team wants to be better in one basic department of playing tougher physically.

Boston Davidsen leads PFC with 578 yards rushing.

“Talking back about the Regina game, we felt like even though we had a good game we got pushed around a bit and our blocking on run plays wasn’t up to where we want it to be,” said Flaman. “We’re always striving to be the best we can be.

“Whether that is backs, receivers, O-line, we all feel like we have to be better as a unit, and we will.”

Sargeant said the big focus for his team this week will be blocking and tackling. He said those were two areas his club had a drop off in the win over the Thunder.

“We need to see improvement,” said Sargeant. “I need to see improvement.

“It comes down to blocking and tackling. The focus this week is I need a team that is going to block and tackle better than what I saw last week.”

Hilltops End Zone Dinner set for Sept. 30

Jorgen Hus sets to snap the ball for the Roughriders in 2019.

The Saskatoon Hilltops End Zone Dinner is returning with a quartet of guest speakers.

The End Zone Dinner is slated for Saturday, September 30 in the main hall of the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. Doors for the dinner open at 4:15 p.m. and dinner follows at 5 p.m.

A ticket to the dinner also includes a ticket to that night’s CJFL regular season game between the Hilltops and Regina Thunder set for 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

The guest speakers include a pair of alumni from the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in Al Johns and Carm Carteri along with current Roughriders players Jorgen Hus and Derrick Moncrief. Johns was a defensive tackle for the Roughriders from 1980 to 1987 and played for the Hilltops in the 1970s. Carteri played linebacker for the Roughriders in 1979, 1980 and 1985, and he had a long run as a colour analyst on Roughriders radio broadcasts that concluded following the 2016 campaign.

Hus is the Roughriders veteran long snapper and he played linebacker with the Hilltops from 2007 to 2009. He helped the Hilltops win a CJFL title in 2007 after graduating from St. Joseph High School.

Moncrief is a veteran linebacker with the Roughriders. He often comes out to Saskatoon to help coach with Saskatoon Minor Football’s Playground To Pros Camp that is held annually in April.

All proceeds from the End Zone Dinner will go towards the Saskatoon Hilltops Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $100 per single person or $725 for a table of eight. Tickets for the End Zone Dinner can be purchased by clicking right here.

’Toppers Wist player of the week, other notes

Matt Wist was named the PFC’s defensive player of the week.

Timely big players resulted in Saskatoon Hilltops middle Matt Wist getting a player of the week nod.

Wist was named the PFC’s defensive player of the week on Wednesday for his efforts in the Hilltops 36-6 over the Thunder at Mosaic Stadium in Regina this past Saturday. In helping the Hilltops improve to 4-0 on the campaign, Wist had two defensive solo tackles, one defensive tackle assist, one pass knockdown and one interception.

On the season, Wist sits in the top five in the PFC in defensive points at 44. He has collected his defensive points off of nine defensive solo tackles, 12 defensive tackle assists, one pass knockdown, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.

Calgary Colts receiver Nicholas Sirleaf was the PFC’s offensive player of the week on Wednesday. This past Sunday, Sirleaf caught 11 passes for 159 yards and one touchdown as the Colts downed the visiting Winnipeg Rifles 33-21 at Hellard Field.

Rifles linebacker Kyler Banfield took honours as the PFC’s special teams player of the week on Wednesday for his efforts in the setback this past Sunday to the Colts. Banfield blocked a kick and recovered it to go with three special teams solo tackles and one special teams tackle assist.

Banfield also recorded one solo defensive tackle, two defensive tackle assists, one quarterback sack, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery in the loss to the Colts.

• Saskatoon Hilltops 21-year-old quarterback Trey Reider tops the PFC with a 127.6 quarterback efficiency rating after four games. Reider has completed 64-of-100 passes for 953 yards and 11 touchdowns, while throwing one interception. Reider’s touchdown pass total also leads the PFC.
• Calgary Colts 19-year-old quarterback Liam Oczkowski leads the PFC with 1,169 yards passing after four contests. On the season, Oczkowski has completed 87-of-137 passes including seven touchdown passes, while throwing two interceptions.
• The Westshore Rebels and their ultra-talented quarterback Te Jessie lead the BCFC with a 6-0 record. Heading into the 2023 campaign, Jessie topped the CJFL’s annual Top 50 players to watch list. The St. Clair Saints lead the OFC standings with a 4-0 mark.
• On September 9, I had new content appear on the Howe Happenings blog that supports the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. I put together a piece on the University of Saskatchewan Women’s Softball Program focusing on how important it has become to the sports scene in Saskatoon and province. The piece on the U of S Softball team can be found by clicking right here. I also put together a photo roundup that shows the summer season ending hot and the fall season starting with a roar. 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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Douglas big catch for Hilltops

Flaman shines in romp over Thunder in Regina

Drake Douglas has emerged as one of the Hilltops to receivers.

Once a highly touted pass catcher coming out of Saskatchewan’s high school scene, Drake Douglas thought at one time his post-secondary football days ended even before they began.

When almost all sports in North American were halted due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that had gripped the world, Douglas committed to join the CJFL’s Regina Thunder on June 1, 2020. One his two older brothers, Ethan, played for the Thunder in 2018 and 2019.

Having played his final season with the Balfour Collegiate Bears Football Team in 2019, Drake Douglas practiced with the Thunder in the fall of 2020, but never played a down with the Regina CJFL side.

As there was no certainly when the sports world resume action, Douglas elected to move to Saskatoon for an opportunity in the working world. Another one of his older brothers, Braydan, had already relocated to “The Bridge City” along with his two sisters. He hadn’t even been looking for any post-secondary team to join when he got a call from legendary Saskatoon Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant in the fall of 2022.

“I had kind of just been taking a break from football,” said Douglas. “My brother (Braydan) ended up emailing ‘Sarge’ (Tom Sargeant) and sent him my highlight tape from high school, and ‘Sarge’ game me a call.

“It was three weeks or four weeks into the season. I just joined the team on the bye week that year and kind of went from there.”

Douglas was on the Hilltops roster when they went into their fourth game of the 2022 campaign. He made his debut with the storied CJFL club in their 35-17 victory over the Colts in Calgary on September 25, 2022 catching four passes for 29 yards.

The skilled pass catcher was happy his brother sent his high school highlights to Sargeant. The urge to get back into the game was there.

“I loved playing football and watching football,” said Douglas, who stands 5-foot-9 and weighs 170 pounds. “I always had it in the back of my mind, but I was definitely ready to have the cleats hung up and be moving on to the next stage of life.

“I got that call from ‘Sarge,’ and I just got into there. I got to practice, and it was like I never left it.”

Now in his second season with the Hilltops, Douglas has emerged as one of the team’s star receivers. Taking on the Thunder at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Saturday night, Douglas saw one of his teammates have a big outing.

Drake Douglas joined the Hilltops part way through 2022.

Noah Flaman, a sure handed third-year receiver, caught three touchdowns as the Hilltops roared past the Thunder 36-6 in a CJFL regular season clash. With the win, the Hilltops improved to 4-0 to sit alone in first place in the Prairie Football Conference, while the Thunder fell to 3-1. The Thunder had won the three previous meetings between the two sides including action in the regular season and post-season.

While Douglas said it felt like he never left the game once he started playing for the Hilltops, he did feel like he wasn’t in football shape.

“I had played flag football that winter,” said Douglas. “I think I was in decent shape.

“You think you are in good shape, but then you go play a full football game in plus-25 weather. It is kind of different. It is hard to get right back into it.

“It took me a little bit to adjust to the physicality. The guys are definitely a lot stronger in the CJFL, and you have to adjust to stuff like that. At the same time when you play football all your life, you just do what you’ve always been doing.”

Douglas said he came into the 2023 campaign at a different level after taking part in the team’s off-season workouts with Ignite Athletics, winter practices, spring camp and getting a full training camp in.

“It is a night and day difference,” said Douglas, who had 18 catches for 254 yards and one touchdown in the Hilltops first three game. “I did all the Ignite workouts, so I was definitely coming in way better shape.

“That made it a lot easier. I felt way more ready to go. I feel a lot stronger and faster than I was last season just jumping in halfway through.”

Sargeant was quite pleased he was able to get Douglas in the Hilltops fold.

“Drake (Douglas) has been magnificent,” said Sargeant. “For him to come to us sort of middle of the year last year and by the end of the year he is a key offensive contributor.

“He is a punt returner, and he is a holder on our field goal team. Drake has multiple roles. He is a talented kid, and he loves football.

Drake Douglas has made some highlight catches for the Hilltops.

“He has come in here in a short period of time and established himself as a leader and as a player as a go-to guy. We make sure a lot of our offensive plays and systems go through him. We are proud of what he is about.”

Sargeant noted that Douglas’s playing style on the field kind of mirrors that of a former great of the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in Weston Dressler.

“There are certainly some similarities,” said Sargeant. “He is just a multiuse player.

“He has a lot of different skill sets. He is great after he catches the ball. He is great when the ball is in flight.

“He knows how to use his body and how to get in the way to make the plays basically is how it looks.”

Douglas said he watched various receivers growing up, but he has a special affinity for Roughriders pass catchers.

“I have a lot of especially ’Riders receivers that I look up to,” said Douglas. “Weston Dressler is definitely size wise is a good comparison to me.

“Other guys, I really liked Naaman Roosevelt growing up and guys like that. I think I’m definitely similar to their style of play. I think the coaches kind of use me in similar ways.”

In the Hilltops 50-2 regular season opening win against the Edmonton Wildcats on August 13 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, Douglas got out of the gates with a big game. He caught nine passes for 171 yards and one touchdown, which helped him get an extra jump in his step.

“The coaches and Trey (Reider) made it easy for me,” said Douglas. “The coach was calling the right plays, and Trey (Reider) was just putting it on me, and I’m just trying to do my job and catch the balls that come my way.

“It was definitely huge for the confidence, and I think it was huge for the whole team getting that win early.”

Against the Thunder on Saturday, the Hilltops led 12-0 after the first quarter and 22-4 at halftime. The Hilltops got a touchdown from star power running back Boston Davidsen, two field goals from Teijon Abel-Douglas and a conceded safety by the Thunder.

The Thunder got their points from a punt single and a field goal from kicker Shawn Green and a conceded safety by Saskatoon.

Drake Douglas (#86) wants to enjoy more fun with his teammates.

The Hilltops return to action on Sunday, September 17, when they hit the road again to face the Edmonton Wildcats at Emerald Hills Regional Park in Sherwood Park, Alta.

Looking forward to the rest of the CJFL campaign, Douglas said he and the Hilltops are focusing on things as they come.

“It is great just hanging out with guys and getting to come out to practice every day and just work with everybody,” said Douglas. “I’m really excited for the rest of this season.

“We have a long way to go. I think we’re just trying to build every week. I think ‘Sarge’ compared it to a pyramid the one day in meetings.

“We’re just trying to build that pyramid and give it a good foundation right now and just keep building on that.”

Hilltops End Zone Dinner set for Sept. 30

Jorgen Hus sets to snap the ball for the Roughriders in 2019.

The Saskatoon Hilltops End Zone Dinner is returning with a quartet of guest speakers.

The End Zone Dinner is slated for Saturday, September 30 in the main hall of the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. Doors for the dinner open at 4:15 p.m. and dinner follows at 5 p.m.

A ticket to the dinner also includes a ticket to that night’s CJFL regular season game between the Hilltops and Regina Thunder set for 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

The guest speakers include a pair of alumni from the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in Al Johns and Carm Carteri along with current Roughriders players Jorgen Hus and Derrick Moncrief. Johns was a defensive tackle for the Roughriders from 1980 to 1987 and played for the Hilltops in the 1970s. Carteri played linebacker for the Roughriders in 1979, 1980 and 1985, and he had a long run as a colour analyst on Roughriders radio broadcasts that concluded following the 2016 campaign.

Hus is the Roughriders veteran long snapper and he played linebacker with the Hilltops from 2007 to 2009. He helped the Hilltops win a CJFL title in 2007 after graduating from St. Joseph High School.

Moncrief is a veteran linebacker with the Roughriders. He often comes out to Saskatoon to help coach with Saskatoon Minor Football’s Playground To Pros Camp that is held annually in April.

All proceeds from the End Zone Dinner will go towards the Saskatoon Hilltops Scholarship Fund. Tickets are $100 per single person or $725 for a table of eight. Tickets for the End Zone Dinner can be purchased 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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If you like what you see here, you might want to donate to the cause to keep independent media like this blog going. Should you choose to help out, feel free to click on the DONATE button in the upper right corner. Thank you for stopping in.

Hilltops’ Johnson gets boost from Roughriders camp

Saskatoon drops heartbreaker in Winnipeg 19-16

Hilltops LB Konner Johnson attended Roughriders training camp.

Even for an experienced football player like Konner Johnson, he had some good nervous energy when he found out he could realize a classic Saskatchewan childhood dream.

Johnson, who will turn 22-years-old in early September, attended training camp with the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders this past May and June as a territorial junior before being returned to the CJFL’s Saskatoon Hilltops for the 2022 campaign. During his preparations in the off-season, the outside linebacker was informed by Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant that there could be an opportunity with the Roughriders.

“I talked to coach ‘Sarge,’ and he said that it was going to be a possibility,” said Johnson, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 220 pounds. “He didn’t guarantee anything, because it wasn’t up to him.

“He said just be ready in case. I trained my butt off and got the phone call about three weeks before camp started. That is when I found out.”

As the start of the rookie part of Roughriders camp approached on May 11, Johnson began to feel like a kid right before opening gifts at Christmas.

“I was really nervous but also really excited,” said Johnson. “I didn’t really know what to expect.

“I didn’t know what I was walking into. It was a great experience, and I learned a lot.”

Johnson’s experience with the Roughriders helped give him a boost upon rejoining the Hilltops. He helped the Hilltops get off to a 2-0 start in the 2022 regular season.

On Sunday, the Hilltops dropped their first game of the 2022 campaign falling 19-16 to the Rifles in Winnipeg. With the two sides locked in a 16-16 tie, Rifles kicker Donavon Downing booted a 10-yard field goal with 36 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to deliver the Winnipeg side to victory at East Side Eagles Field.

The Hilltops fell to 2-1 with the setback, while the Rifles improved to 1-2.

Konner Johnson was a PFC all-star in 2021.

At Roughriders camp, Johnson took part in activities as both an outside linebacker and long snapper. The Melfort, Sask., product said the Roughriders didn’t do a lot of contact drills, but the pace with how everything was done on the field was heightened compared to the Canadian junior ranks.

“It is quite a bit different,” said Johnson. “The speed is a lot different.

“They don’t practice like physically, because they have to save themselves for game day and they are professional athletes. Just the speed at practice was crazy. They go full speed on everything.

“That is what we are trying to replicate here is just practising full speed. It helps a lot on game day.”

Johnson enjoyed getting reps as an outside linebacker with the Roughriders and learning the CFL club’s defensive system.

“I didn’t know how they played their linebackers,” said Johnson. “Here (with the Hilltops) I am a weak side linebacker, and that is what I ended up doing there too.

“Their schemes were a lot different, so you had to learn a lot of that stuff at the linebacker side.”

When it came to long snapping, Johnson got to work with Roughriders long snapper and Hilltops alumnus Jorgen Hus. Hus also played for the University of Regina Rams in the U Sports ranks and spent time as a long snapper with the NFL’s St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Roughriders before the start of the 2015 season.

Hus often helps coach various long snappers throughout Saskatoon during the off-season, and Johnson found Hus genuinely wanted to help the long snappers that came to the Roughriders.

“I got to learn from Jorgen (Hus) a bit,” said Johnson. “He, obviously, came from this program, went to the Rams and made the whole route there.

“He taught me a few things. I hope to just keep snapping well here and see what happens.”

Johnson said there is a big focus on the technical part of the long snapping skill at the professional level to ensure punters and holders for field goals get the ball exactly as they want it.

Konner Johnson said Roughriders camp was a great experience.

“It is one of those spots where you don’t get noticed unless you mess up,” said Johnson. “Not a lot of people can do it, and they don’t really understand it isn’t an easy job.

“You just have to keep doing it and keep practising until it becomes automatic for you.”

Sargeant was pleased to see Johnson got a chance to go to Roughriders training camp. The legendary sideline boss said the playmaking linebacker earned that opportunity with his performance in the 2021 season.

Over eight regular season games in the 2021 campaign, Johnson recorded 26 defensive tackles, 13 defensive tackle assists, 12 special teams tackles, three special teams tackle assists, one quarterback sack, five pass knockdowns, one fumble recovery and five interceptions. Johnson was named a PFC all-star for the 2021 season.

“We’re always excited when someone from the blue and gold gets an opportunity to fulfill a dream, when you play the game of football at such a high level,” said Sargeant. “We knew Konner (Johnson) had some long snap ability.

“He was an all-star last year in the league. It was amazing to see the confidence that he brought back. He had a great experience.”

Before coming to the Hilltops, Johnson played high school football in the nine man ranks with his hometown Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate Comets. Sargeant said the Hilltops have been fortunate to get numerous high quality character players from the Comets program guided by head coach David Rogers, and those players know how to work hard and have a solid base in playing the game.

After the 2020 CJFL season was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that has gripped the world, Sargeant said you could tell Johnson put in quality work to prepare for the 2021 campaign that resulted in a breakout season.

“In our defence, that ‘will’ linebacker position there has always been great players who have come through there,” said Sargeant. “Usually at ‘will’ linebacker there is someone good in front of him.

“They do a lot of learning from that. At the end of the day when you look at Konner (Johnson), he put in the time there he got bigger, stronger and faster. He got smarter through the process, and what has that led to.

“It has led to him being a natural playmaker on the field, a big time player. He does everything right. He is a great captain and leader for our program.”

Konner Johnson is more confident about playing in the CFL one day.

At Roughriders camp, Johnson crossed paths with former Comets teammate and former foe with the Regina Thunder in Logan Ferland, who is the Roughriders starting left guard. While they played just one season together in high school, Johnson said it was good to chat with the fellow Melfort product.

“I hadn’t talked to him in years,” said Johnson. “I remember him beating up on me when he was in Grade 12 and I was in Grade 9.

“He used to throw me around a bit. We talked about that at camp a bit.”

After being at Roughriders camp, Johnson said it is in the back of his head that playing with the Roughriders or in the CFL is more of a real possibility in the future.

“It is definitely a hope for the future,” said Johnson. “Every kid that grows up playing football in Saskatchewan wants to play for the ’Riders one day.

“I’m worried about this season right now. After that, I definitely hope to see where the doors open up.”

Playing in his final season of CJFL eligibility with the Hilltops, Johnson said he wants to have a memorable campaign. He believes the Hilltops on 2022 have potential to do great things.

“I think we have a very high ceiling,” said Johnson. “I think we have to work our butts off.

“We have a lot of fifth year guys, a lot good leaders on the team, but we have a long ways to go. We just have to take it week by week right now.”

On Sunday’s clash with the Rifles, Winnipeg held a 13-10 lead at halftime thanks to two field goals from Downing and a touchdown run on a jet sweep by receiver Adam Fast. Saskatoon responded with a field goal from Connor Green and a rushing touchdown from power running back Boston Davidsen.

The Hilltops got a field goal from Green in the third quarter to pull even at 13-13. Green hit his third field goal of the game to push the Hilltops in front 16-13 at the 3:45 mark of the fourth quarter.

Konner Johnson (#42) believes the Hilltops can have a great 2022.

Downing nailed his third field goal of the contest with 7:50 remaining in the fourth quarter to force a 16-16 tie. That set the stage for Downing to hit the winner with 36 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

It is believed this marked the first time the Rifles have beaten the Hilltops since 2005, when the Winnipeg side finished first in the PFC for the only time to date in team history with a 7-1 record. The Rifles in 2005 fell in the PFC final 35-17 to the Edmonton Huskies, who advanced on to win the CJFL title.

The entire PFC now heads off on a bye week. The Hilltops return to action on Saturday, Sept. 10, when they host the 3-0 Thunder at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field.

Roughriders alum Hughes coming to End Zone Dinner

A Roughriders promo picture of Neal Hughes.

Saskatchewan Roughriders alum Neal Hughes will be the special guest speaker at this year’s Saskatoon Hilltops End Zone Dinner.

The End Zone Dinner will be held on Saturday, September 10 at the Gordie Howe Sports Centre building on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds. Doors open for the dinner at 4:15 p.m. with food to be served at 5:15 p.m. The funds raised at the dinner go towards the Hilltops scholarship fund.

Hughes, who is from Regina, played 11 CFL seasons at fullback for the Roughriders from 2004 to 2014 helping the team to Grey Cup wins in 2007 and 2013. The 2013 championship was won at the Roughriders historic home park in Taylor Field.

During his time with the Roughriders, Hughes mainly focused on blocking duties as a fullback or from a tight end position and covered kicks on special teams. He also showed his versatility in being able to make big plays running the football, catching it out of the backfield or punting it when required.

Before joining the Roughriders, Hughes played six seasons with the Regina Rams as their star running back. He suited up for the Rams as a rookie in 1998, when they played their final season in the CJFL capturing their 15^th and final CJFL championship.

Hughes played with the Rams during their first five seasons in the U Sports ranks as the University of Regina Rams helping them advance to the U Sports championship game – the Vanier Cup – in 2000. The Rams fell 42-39 in that contest to the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees.

Neal Hughes gets pictured with a couple of small fans in 2011.

Following the End Zone Dinner, the Hilltops will face their provincial rivals in the Regina Thunder at 7 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, which is right next to the Gordie Howe Sports Centre on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Single tickets for the dinner are $100 or a table of eight can be bought for $725.

Tickets can be purchased online by clicking on a link 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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Contract extensions for Saskies big for Roughriders

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dan Clark calls signals for the Roughriders in 2019.

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

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

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

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

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

Blades’ Robins signs with NHL’s Sharks

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

Tristen Robins has a spectacular start to 2021.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Canada off to semifinals at world juniors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Missing CFL a back and forth thing for me

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jordan Reaves in action for the Roughriders in 2018.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hockey Harvest Lottery up over $146,000

Jackpot update:

💲1️⃣4️⃣6️⃣,1️⃣2️⃣0️⃣

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHL launches T’s For Toys Campaign, other notes

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

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

— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 17, 2020

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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