Valkyries hit ground running in pre-season win over Storm

WWCFL season will be a sprint in 2017

Denise Kolosky (#44) and her Valkyries teammates hit a Storm tailback.

    The Saskatoon Valkyries are looking like themselves out of the gate, which will be key in what will be a lightning fast 2017 season.

    On Saturday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries dumped the Edmonton Storm 56-6 in a pre-season tilt. The contest also served as a rematch from last year’s Western Women’s Canadian Football League title game, which the Valkyries won 81-6 in Lethbridge.

    Normally, the Western Women’s Canadian Football League schedule is spread a little over two months. With the International Federation of American Football Women’s World Championship running from June 24 to 30 in Langley, B.C., there is a push to get the WWCFL campaign concluded a touch faster in comparison to past years.

    The Valkyries will go from their pre-season game right into a four-game regular season contests. The playoffs have been shortened as well.

Kelsey Murphy returns a punt for the Valkyries.

    The top two clubs in the four-team Prairie Conference that the Valkyries are part of will advance to a conference championship game to be held on June 3 or 4. In past years, all four teams in the Prairie Conference were automatically placed in playoffs.

    The winner of the conference title game will advance to the league final, which will be held June 10 in Saskatoon against the first place club from the three-team Western Conference. If the Valkyries return to the league final for sixth time in seven years, they will do so playing seven games on seven consecutive weekends including the pre-season, regular season and post-season.

    The 2017 schedule doesn’t contain a single bye week for the Valkyries.

    In noting how Saskatoon’s schedule plays out, it might have been even that more impressive the Valkyries utilized pretty much everyone on their 53-player active roster in Saturday’s romp of the Storm. Defensively, the Valkyries were impressive holding the Storm to 226 yards of offence.

    Most of Edmonton’s yards came from star running back Brenna Bouchard, who carried the ball 18 times for 140 yards and scored her team’s lone major in the first half.

Kendal Matheson (#25) zips downfield for the Valkyries.

    Valkyries veteran star linebacker Beth Thomson proved she can still be one of the WWCFL’s most dominant defensive players making four solo tackles, knocking down a pass and registering a sack off an edge blitz on Storm quarterback Aria McGowan. Linebacker Denise Kolosky made three solo tackles and recovered a fumble, while standout safety Shaylyn de Jong came up with an interception.

    Offensively, the Valkyries were dominant on the ground. They utilized seven different ball carriers who combined for 308 yards. They limited Julene Friesen, who is their all-purpose do everything tailback, to six carries, but she still piled up 99 yards and scored three touchdowns.

    Sophomore running back Kendal Matheson ran the ball seven times for 90 yards and scored two majors. Both her scoring runs were pretty impressive.

    On her first major late in the fourth quarter, Matheson ripped out of a number of tackle attempts by Storm players and sprinted home for a 50-yard touchdown run. Her second score was a three-yard short yardage carry, where she twisted and turned through the Storm defensive line to reach the end zone.

Beth Thomson (#2) sacks the quarterback for the Valkyries.

    Rookie running back Sarah Wright scored her first rushing major for the Valkyries running the ball four times for 49 yards.

    Only the passing game seemed to be a bit clunky for the Valkyries due to the fact they have a number of new receivers looking to build some chemistry with sophomore quarterback Alex Eyolfson and rookie signal caller Cori Thorstad. That part of the game traditionally seems to smooth itself out as the campaign moves long.

    Eyolfson did hit sophomore receiver Alyssa Wiebe for a touchdown toss in the first half. Veteran pass catcher Carly Dyck also showed more explosion and power in her route running than she had in past years. She had an impressive 28-yard catch and run touchdown, where she broke out of a couple of tackles, called back due to an illegal block penalty.

    In the kicking game, Dyck made all seven of her converts, hit field goals from 32 and 28 yards out and had a single from a missed field goal attempt from 39 yards out.

    The biggest hurdle the Valkyries will have to overcome offensively is the absence of star receiver Marci (Kiselyk) Halseth, who will miss the entire season after injuring her Achilles tendon leading up to the pre-season game with the Storm.

Carly Dyck nails a field goal for the Valkyries.

    The coaching staff has been shuffled from last season. Pat Berry moved from defensive coordinator to head coach, while former head coach Jeff Yausie shuffled into the role of defensive coordinator.

    Jordan Walls, who was the quarterbacks coach last season, assumed the role of offensive coordinator from Chad Palmer, who has departed from the team. Walls is also the big favourite to take over the role as starting quarterback for the defending Canadian Junior Football League Saskatoon Hilltops, when their campaign starts in August.

    Chris Hengen-Braun returns as the Valkyries special teams and offensive line coach.

    The Valkyries quest to repeat as WWCFL’s champs begins in earnest this coming Sunday, May 7, when they host the Winnipeg Wolfpack at 1 p.m. at SMF Field. They host their archrivals the Regina Riot on Saturday, May 13 at 7 p.m. at SMF Field. The two teams face each in Regina on May 21.

    Saskatoon closes its regular season schedule on May 28, when they travel to Winnipeg to take on the Manitoba Fearless.

    If the Valkyries progress like they have in past seasons, it would be no surprise to see them playing in the WWCFL title game on home turf on June 10.

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

Valkyries set high standard

WWCFL champs show how great women’s football can be

Veteran receiver Marci Kiselyk hauls in a pass for the Valkyries.

    The hot topic in Saskatoon sports circles on Monday revolved around a final score of 81-6.

    That of course was the result of the Western Women’s Canadian Football League championship game on Saturday in Lethbridge. The Saskatoon Valkyries were the victors claiming their fifth WWCFL title in six years. They smashed the Edmonton Storm harder than a Ray Lewis blindside hit on a quarterback.

    When locals in Saskatoon heard the score that was repeated often on various radio stations Monday, you almost immediately heard, “Wow, our girls kicked their asses.”

    During their six seasons of existence, the Valkyries have won numerous blowout games. Saturday’s effort set a team record for points scored in a game and equaled the team mark for largest margin of victory at 75 points.

Alyssa Wiebe (#13) became a dangerous target as a Valkyries receiver.

    Saskatoon’s previous record for points in a game came back on June 12, 2011 in a 78-6 thrashing of the Winnipeg Wolfpack. The last time the Valkyries won by a 75-point spread came on May 10, 2015 in a 75-0 bombing of the Wolfpack.

    Against the Storm on Saturday, the Valkyries performed with great precision. While the neutral site encounter only attracted about 300 onlookers, news of what took place spread like a wildfire.

    Saskatoon played with an efficiency and dominance that would likely make New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick blush. During the romp, the Valkyries, who finished with a 7-1 overall record, substituted frequently through their 55-player roster, and there wasn’t a drop in the level of play between starters and backups. Everyone played great on the University of Lethbridge Community Stadium turf.

    The Valkyries, who have a huge following in Saskatoon, are also benefiting from the popular girls flag football league that exists in their home centre. Besides veteran receiver Carly Dyck, the Valkyries roster contained 32 players in their first or second year with the team including 22 rookies. All the newcomers arrived with a high skill set that transferred over to the full tackle game.

Betsy Mawdsley created chaos as a Valkyries rush end.

    Rookie Alex Eyolfson and sophomore Reed Thorstad split the duties at quarterback for much of the season, and both displayed great form in throwing to a group of talented receivers.

    Others like rookie receiver Alyssa Wiebe arrived with a decorated resume of accomplishments in other sports. In Wiebe’s case, she arrived as a former star hockey player most notably with the University of North Dakota, and she picked up the game fast thanks to her natural athletic talent and the guidance of veteran pass catchers like Dyck, Marci Kiselyk and Stacey Boldt.

    On defence, rookie newcomers like defensive end Betsy Mawdsley and linebacker Emmarae Dale showed that they were naturals.

    All these newcomers connected extremely well with a strong core of veterans. Original Valkyries Beth Thomson, Tori Giles, Jaime Lammerding, Lori Smith and Kiselyk all seem to be finding new peaks in their respective games.

    Kiselyk started the year sidelined with a nagging injury, and when she returned, she looked almost as fluid as NFL great Jerry Rice. Thomson is terminator at linebacker and Lammerding and Smith love to create havoc in the middle of the defensive line.

Tailback Julene Friesen had a stellar season for the Valkyries.

    Giles spent her first five years with the Valkyries playing receiver, but when she switched to defensive halfback this season, she looked like she born to play that spot. When teams ran the ball, Giles quickly drew a read on what was going on and often sliced into the backfield to make a tackle for a loss.

    Fifth year linebacker Denise Kolosky and fourth year safety Shaylyn De Jong were lights out playing at an all-world level.

    Arguably, the Valkyries MVP this season was third year running back Julene Friesen. Friesen was the Valkyrie version of former NFL star Marshall Faulk becoming the tailback that could do everything from running hard inside and outside to making big plays in the passing game as a receiver.

    The Valkyries success also has to be attributed to the fact that they put in the work. Pretty much all the players train year round, and the team starts practising together three months before the season starts.

    The only other squad that likely trains that hard in the WWCFL is the Regina Riot, who were the only club to beat the Valkyries this season.

    Saskatoon is also guided by an elite coaching staff under the guidance of head coach Jeff Yausie. When Yausie hasn’t been available due to commitments with Football Saskatchewan and Football Canada, the rest of the staff steps up. Special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Chris Hengen-Braun really shines in these moments with his big upbeat enthusiasm.

Jaime Lammerding (#21) hoists the WWCFL title trophy for the Valkyries.

    Former Valkyries player Beth Thompson has become a key part of the coaching staff as a defensive line coach. As years go on, you can expect more former players will become coaches.

    In Saturday’s impressive display, the Valkyries showed how good women’s football can be. They are the example that all other clubs in the WWCFL can aspire to be.

    If even three or four other clubs from the eight-club circuit can get to the level the Valkyries are at, it would be a very cool thing to see.

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

Valkyries dominant dynasty continues

Saskatoon wins fifth WWCFL title in six years, bombs Storm

The Valkyries celebrate their fifth WWCFL title win in six years.

 LETHBRIDGE, Alta. - The Saskatoon Valkyries execution was near perfect, and the Edmonton Storm got executed as a result.

    On Saturday at the University of Lethbridge Community Stadium, the Valkyries (7-1 overall) returned to the top of the Western Women’s Canadian Football League mountain top with an astounding 81-6 victory over the Storm (6-2 overall). With the win, the Valkyries claimed their fifth WWCFL championship in six years after losing to last year’s league champs the Regina Riot in the WWCFL Prairie Conference final. 

    Against the Storm on Saturday, the Valkyries had the wind at their backs for the first quarter and used that advantage to build a 30-0 edge. Saskatoon cruised to victory from that point.

    “It feels awesome,” said Valkyries running back Julene Friesen. “It was a great game. It is nice to win by a lot and to feel like we had a great end to our season.

Julene Friesen runs in a touchdown for the Valkyries.

    “Everybody played. Everybody did so well. It just shows once again how well rounded our team is and how strong we are through our whole depth chart.”

    Friesen, who had an outstanding season for the Valkyries, book ended the scoring recording the game’s first touchdown on a 28 yard romp and the contest’s final major coming off an 82-yard kickoff return with 2:43 to play in the fourth quarter. She also had a 30-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter to account for three major scores overall.

    In total, Friesen picked up 142 yards rushing on seven carries and 109 yards on three kickoff returns in being named the Valkyries player of the game. She admitted the kick return touchdown was her sweetest jaunt into the end zone.

    “We’ve been talking about it all season,” said Friesen. “Finally to get it on the last return of the year was fun, even though I fumbled around with it a little bit.”

Valkyries LB Beth Thomson (#2) sacks Storm QB Aria McGowan (#80).

    The first quarter surge also saw Valkyries quarterback Alex Eyolfson fire a 10-yard touchdown strike to veteran receiver Stacey Boldt and complete a 56-yard pass and run score to rookie receiver Alyssa Wiebe. Wiebe, who is a former hockey standout with the University of North Dakota, topped all Valkyries with receivers with four catches for 111 yards.

    A strong effort by Saskatoon’s defence the kept Edmonton pinned in its own zone resulting in the Storm conceding a safety in the opening frame. Valkyries linebacker Beth Thomson, who has played for the club in all six years of its existence, had a big first quarter sack and returned an interception 33 yards in the second quarter to set up a 32-yard field goal by kicker Carly Dyck.

    “I had the most fun out there today,” said Thomson. “That pic was awesome. I almost got it into the end zone, but maybe next year.”

    Thomson also said the game couldn’t have gone any better for her squad, and she was elated about the latest title win.

    “Every time you win the championship, you get that feeling of happiness,” said Thomson. “It is there again right now.

Alyssa Wiebe (#13) had 111 yards receiving for the Valkyries.

    “Once we got rolling, it just started happening for us. We just started rolling. It was the Valkyries doing it again.”

    Some of the game’s loudest cheers were reserved for Dyck, who is a Lethbridge product. She played three seasons with her hometown Steel, when the Steel lost three straight WWCFL title games to the Valkyries from 2012 to 2014. She lived in Saskatoon for the last two of those campaigns and decided to remain in that centre year round and play for the Valkyries.

    In the second quarter, Dyck hauled in her only catch on a streak pattern from quarterback Reed Thorstad, which went the distance for a 45-yard major score to delight her hometown supporters. Dyck was pumped that Valkyries offensive coordinator Chad Palmer was looking to dial up her number.

    “Palmer was being real nice to me,” said Dyck. “He was like, ‘I want to get you a touchdown at home, so we are going to send you a long ball.’

    “I was so happy. It was a nice reach out for me, a long run. There was nobody even close to me I felt anyway. I didn’t notice anybody.”

    She was pumped to finally be on the winning side of a WWCFL championship game.

    “It took five years for me to get this win, but it was better late than never,” said Dyck. “It was pretty exciting.”

Carly Dyck hauls in a 45-yard TD reception for the Valkyries.

    Running backs Samantha and Kendal Matheson, who are sisters, added major scores for the Valkyries in the second quarter. Samantha ripped off a 62-yard scoring run, while Kendal, who is in her rookie season, ran one in from 65 yards out.

    Saskatoon led 54-0 at halftime.

    The scoring slowed up a little in the third quarter. Saskatoon went ahead 59-0, when the Storm conceded another safety and Dyck nailed a 27-yard field goal attempt.

    The Valkyries lead expanded to 74-0 in the fourth quarter thanks to a three-yard touchdown run by Samantha Matheson, a 31-yard missed field goal single by Dyck and 39-yard interception return score by defensive back Rienna Rueve.

    Storm running back Brenna Bouchard snapped the shutout bid returning a kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown after Rueve’s major to trim Saskatoon’s edge to 74-6. Friesen recorded her kickoff return touchdown after Bouchard found pay dirt.

The Valkyries celebrate Rienna Rueve's interception return TD.

    In total, the Valkyries piled up 624 yards of offence, which included 329 yards on the ground and 297 yards through the air. Edmonton was held to 148 yards offensively.

    Valkyries special teams coordinator Chris Hengen-Braun said Saturday’s win was a great capper to a special season.

    “It feels pretty good,” said Hengen-Braun. “This is really a different team than we have had in the past.

    “They did an amazing job coming together. We have a lot of really young girls. Over half of our team has never won one of these before, so it is really special for them.

    “It was really cool to see a huge effort from many, many different players on offence and on defence. We had a bunch of players step up. It was just really cool to see a lot of these young players come out and be very effective on the field.”

    If you have any comments you would like to pass along about this post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com. Check Twitter for more game photos of the Valkyries WWCFL championship win @stankssports.

Valkyries motivated by Riot victories

Rivals battle for a sixth straight year in WWCFL Prairie final

Valkyries DB Tori Giles (#3) collides with Riot receiver Amanda Hungle.

    Head coach Jeff Yausie believes his Saskatoon Valkyries found extra motivation in a defeat, but he wasn’t talking about his team’s playoff loss a year ago.

    Last year, the Valkyries saw their season and a drive to win five straight Western Women’s Canadian Football League titles come to an end due to a 31-29 setback to the Regina Riot in the WWCFL Prairie Conference final at Mosaic Stadium in Regina. The Riot moved on to thump the Edmonton Storm 53-6 in the WWCFL title game in Winnipeg.

    Before that playoff loss to the Riot, the Valkyries were humbled 49-9 by the Riot in a regular season encounter on May 30, 2016 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. That result still holds up as the most lopsided the loss the Valkyries suffered in their history.

    “Last year when they kicked our butts here in Saskatoon, we knew we needed to toughen up and practice harder and be able to match their physical intensity and toughness,” said Yausie. “We changed our practices.

Riot RB Celeste Schnell powers through the Valkyries.

    “We hit more. We practice harder. We practice longer. That has been our focus is to match their physicality this year.”

    On Sunday at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, these two rivals will battle for a sixth straight year in the Prairie Conference final. Both Saskatoon and Regina were 3-1 in regular season play and split their two head-to-head meetings. The Valkyries took first place in the conference having outscored the Riot 73-48 in their two encounters.

    The rivalry between the Valkyries and Riot is the best one in the WWCFL and is developing into one of the top ones between teams from Saskatoon and Regina.

    Valkyries defensive lineman Jaime Lammerding, who has been with the team since its inception in 2011, said games with the Riot are definitely the hardest hitting ones.

    “The other teams have some big girls, but Regina just brings it like to a different level,” said Lammerding. “I think that is Saskatchewan football.

    “They come hard every play, and you have to come hard back at them.”

    Rookie receiver Alyssa Wiebe said she noticed the pace picked up when the Valkyries faced the Riot compared to other opponents. In the fourth quarter of a 27-26 Riot victory on May 28 in Regina, Wiebe was slammed hard to the turf on one play, which she described as getting “absolutely killed.”

    “You have to have your head up at all times and on a swivel,” said Wiebe, who was a former standout forward with the University of North Dakota women’s hockey team. “If the ball is coming your way, there is a good chance you’re getting popped.

Valkyries RB Kendal Matheson (#25) is high tackled by a Riot defender.

    “You look for the ball, hold on and try and make a play. They are aggressive, and they can hit.”

    For the Valkyries returning veterans, the sting of last season’s playoff loss to the Riot still lingers, which adds another dimension to Sunday’s contest.

    “Everybody who was around last year still has that like lost it and we want it back kind of feeling,” said Lammerding. “We lost it just so close by the skin of our teeth.

    “We want to go back and take if from them. It (the playoff loss) doesn’t get any better. I’ve tried a lot of different ways. It doesn’t get any better.”

    Both teams are loaded with game breakers offensively. The Valkyries have rotated rookie Alex Eyolfson and sophomore Reed Thorstad at quarterback, and Wiebe and fellow receivers Carly Dyck, Stacey Boldt and Marci Kiselyk have made key plays downfield. Running backs Julene Friesen and Samantha Matheson have anchored Saskatoon’s ground game.

Quarterback Aimee Kowalski (#22) unloads a pass for the Riot.

    Riot star quarterback Aimee Kowalski has a strong and accurate arm, and she will take off and run with the ball when the opportunity calls. Receivers Amanda Hungle, Claire Dore and Alex Kowalski can all make big plays at any time. Star running back Carmen Agar is the workhorse on the ground, but the Riot have also been received strong contributions from power runner Celeste Schnell.

    While Wiebe is going through the WWCFL playoffs for the first time, she is used to a single-elimination scenario due to her experience playing National Collegiate Athletic Association’s hockey post-season. She knows how important it is to peak in do-or-die playoff battles.

    “These are the most fun games,” said Wiebe. “Everything is on the line for both teams.

Valkyries RB Samantha Matheson (#22) has had big games versus the Riot.

    “You both want it bad. I’ve been in this situation with hockey before, and sometimes came out on top and sometimes on the bottom. I know what both feel like.

    “I am hoping to come out on top on Sunday.”

    The WWCFL’s Western Conference final is set for Saturday in Edmonton between the host Storm and the Lethbridge Steel.

    The conference final winners play in the WWCFL championship game on June 25 in Lethbridge.

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

"Baby T-Rex" plays big for Valkyries

Giles helps Saskatoon return to WWCFL Prairie final

Tori Giles returns an interception for the Valkyries.

    Tori Giles’ love for football brought her to the Saskatoon Valkryies and winning provided extra motivation to stay in the game.

    The 22-year-old defensive back and kick returner is one of six original Valkyries that has suited up for every season of the club’s existence dating back to its inception in 2011. Over that time span, the Valkyries claimed four straight Western Women’s Canadian Football League championships from 2011 to 2014.

    Saskatoon’s bid for a fifth straight championship came to an end last season after a heartbreaking 31-29 loss in the WWCFL’s Prairie Conference final to the Regina Riot.

    Success kept Giles, whose nickname is “Baby T-Rex,” coming back for more.

    “It probably had something to do with me being here for six years,” said Giles. “If we were getting our butts whooped every year, I don’t know if it would be the same story.

    “It is just a great team to play with, and it is a lot of fun.”

    The wins also just keep coming. On Sunday, the Valkyries thumped the Manitoba Fearless 42-2 in a WWCFL Prairie Conference semifinal playoff match at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. With that win, the Valkyries advance to the WWCFL Prairie Conference final to play the defending WWCFL champion Riot for a sixth straight year.

    Regina claimed the other WWCFL Prairie Conference semifinal at Mosaic Stadium on Sunday thanks to a 59-7 drubbing of the Winnipeg Wolfpack.

Tori Giles hits traffic on a Valkyries punt return.

    In the Valkyries win over the Fearless, Giles had a 21-yard interception return and she also cut into the Manitoba backfield to make a nice tackle for a loss. While Saskatoon frequently substituted players in the romp over the Fearless, Giles’ comfort level on defence was apparent.

    She was a receiver on offence during her first five seasons with the Valkyries but has found her calling on the other side of the ball.

    “It is definitely where I was supposed to be,” said Giles. “It is coming a lot easier than it has in the past for sure.

    “It is a lot different. It is nice, because you don’t have to think as much. It is just you watch and you react.”

    Growing up in Saskatoon, Giles played a lot of touch and flag football, but at age 15, she thought her options in the sport were drying up.

    During a visit to Edmonton, Giles heard about the formation of the WWCFL’s Storm and hoped a team would start up in Saskatoon. After hearing about the creation of the Valkyries, Giles found an email address for team general manager Michelle Duchene online. After contacting Duchene, Giles joined the Valkyries and the rest is history.

    With 27 new players joining the Valkyries this season mainly coming up through Saskatoon’s girls’ flag program, Giles said she definitely doesn’t see herself as one of the youngsters.

    “I definitely feel like one of the old vets,” said Giles. “My body feels like it too.”

Tori Giles gets set in the Valkyries secondary.

    In Sunday’s clash with the Fearless, the Valkyries jumped out to 28-0 lead just five minutes and 34 seconds into the contest. After pausing for a moment of silence to remember hockey icon and local product Gordie Howe with nine minutes to play in the first quarter, the Valkyries added another major to exit the frame with a 35-0 lead.

    Running back Julene Friesen carried the ball five times for 203 yards and scored five touchdowns. Her longest run was from 70 yards out.

    Receiver Alyssa Wiebe hauled in 36-yard pass from quarterback Alex Eyolfson to account for Saskatoon’s other major score.

    The Fearless, who finish with a 1-4 overall record, picked up their points on two missed field goal singles from kicker Sara Milani.

    The Valkyries and Riot enter the Prairie final posting identical 5-1 overall records including play from pre-season, regular season and post-season. The two clubs split their two head-to-head regular season meetings, but the Valkyries finished first in the Prairie Conference outscoring the Riot 73-48 in their two encounters. 

    The Prairie final is set for 1 p.m. this coming Sunday at SMF Field.

    Giles said clashes with the Riot are always intense.

Julene Friesen runs in one of her five touchdowns for the Valkyries.

    “They are definitely the hardest game of the year by far,” said Giles. “They are the most important ones as well.

    “We’re going to have to grind out this week and get prepared for it and really get after it.”

As for her future in football after this season, Giles said she has joked with a couple of other six year players about playing for a decade. Saskatoon’s other six-year players include Beth Thomson, Marci Kiselyk, Jaime Lammerding, Julie David and Lori Smith.

    Giles admitted that decision goes on a year-by-year basis.

    “It is kind of whatever life hands you,” said Giles. “I will play for as long as I can.”

Watch for Reynoldson to shine as U of R’s athletics boss

    The University of Regina athletics program might have found a long-term leader in Tanya (Hutcheon) Reynoldson, who is an alumna of the Cougars women’s hockey program.

    On Wednesday, it was announced that Reynoldson would become the new interim director of athletics for the U of R effective July 1. She takes over from Curtis Atkinson, whose family is moving to Kamloops, B.C., at the end of June. Atkinson became the U of R’s interim director of athletics in January of 2015 after Dick White retired after a very long run as director of athletics.

    Reynoldson has been the U of R’s athletic coordinator for over the past 10 years, where the 36-year-old oversaw sponsorship, marketing and event management operations. The news of her new role has been warmly received by the alumnus and the alumnae of the U of R’s athletic teams, especially from those that were athletes during Reynoldson’s playing years from 1998 to 2003.

    The Regina product is an original member of the Cougars women’s hockey team joining the squad for its first season in the Canadian Interuniversity Sport ranks in the 1998-99 campaign. She piled up 19 goals and 34 assists playing right wing in 60 regular season games over five seasons.

    Reynoldson had a couple of memorable moments helping the Cougars sweep the best-of-three Canada West championship series in 2001 against the University of Alberta Pandas, who were the defending CIS champions at the time. The series sweep at the ancient Exhibition Stadium in Regina is still the Cougars only Canada West title victory.

    In Game 1, Reynoldson set up linemate Erin Balfour’s overtime winner with a beautiful centring pass in a 2-1 decision. In Game 2, Reynoldson potted the Cougars first tally in a three-goal surge that produced a 3-0 lead and eventually a 3-1 win.

    The Cougars would reach the CIS championship game riding a 15-game winning streak before falling 4-3 to the University of Toronto Varsity Blues. The Blues took a 3-0 lead in that contest before the Cougars rallied to force a 3-3 tie.

    After the Blues went ahead 4-3, Reynoldson had a chance to make a play offensively to force a tie score, but was denied when a Blues player held her stick.

    Known for her playmaking abilities on the ice, Reynoldson, who was an academic all-Canadian in her final season, was a natural leader off the ice and was one of the most popular persons among all U of R athletes. She had an uplifting and positive spirit that drew others to her.

    As soon as she stepped into a room flashing her bright smile, the atmosphere immediately became better. When you were around Reynoldson, it seemed impossible to feel negative about anything.

    She married her long-time boyfriend from the Cougars men’s hockey team in J.P., and they have two young and adorable children in Kennedy and Royce.

    As the U of R’s interim director of athletics, Reynoldson will experience a learning curve, but she will likely get used to her new role fast. She always succeeded at everything she has done with flying colours, and one has to believe this will be no different.

    In the past, U of R had a history of success in hiring young coaches to guide their athletic teams with the hopes of having a long term bench boss. It would be cool to see that formula work in Reynoldson’s case.

    Reynoldson will undoubtedly make the commitment to become the U of R’s permanent director of athletics. During her journey with her new role, she will have a lot of people rallying around her to support her.

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

Valkyries look good, can be even better

Julene Friesen (#14) tears down field for the Valkyries.

    The Saskatoon Valkyries look good, but they have the potential to be better.

    That might be a scary observation to make considering the local Western Women’s Canadian Football League team thumped the Winnipeg based Manitoba Fearless 61-1 on Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. With the win, the Valkyries improved to 2-0 in regular season play and 3-0 overall.

    With 27 first-year players on their roster, the Valkyries are expected to go through some growing pains. During their three solid wins, the growing pains are evident, but it has to be noted that improvement is also visible.

    Saskatoon needs that improvement to continue with two big head-to-head clashes looming with their biggest rivals in the defending league champion Regina Riot. The Riot also sport a 2-0 regular season record and a 3-0 overall mark. They have been dominant in their three outings, which included dumping the Winnipeg Wolfpack 47-0 on Sunday in Regina.

    With their respective 2-0 regular season starts, the Valkyries and Riot will host Prairie Conference semifinal playoff games on June 12. Their regular season ending home-and-home series will determine which side will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs in the Prairie Conference. The Valkyries host the Riot this coming Sunday at 7 p.m. at SMF Field, and the Riot host the Valkyries on May 28 at 7 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium.

Valkyries DL Jaime Lammerding forces a fumble.

    In the win over the Fearless, the Valkyries were impressive offensively, when it came to running the ball. Saskatoon piled up 330 yards on the ground using five different running backs. Each player had strong games running behind an always powerful Valkyries offensive line.

    Veteran Julene Friesen ran the ball for 89 yards on 10 carries, and she scored the game’s opening touchdown on a nine yard scamper. Fellow veteran Samantha Matheson ran for 79 yards on five carries and ran in her squad’s second major slashing through the middle of the Fearless defence on a 31-yard run.

    Rookie Kendal Matheson showed she can run like her older sister, Samantha, and piled up 68 yards on five carries. The younger Matheson ran in a major from 37 yards out in the fourth quarter.

    Fellow first-year runners Tyra Tkachuk and Ricki Obed both had their strong moments as well. Tkachuk had 52 yards on six carries, while Obed had 26 yards on three carries.

Stacey Boldt hauls in a TD grab for the Valkyries.

    Saskatoon’s passing game did look a bit disjointed due to the fact some players in that area have moved around. In hopes of getting more production out of the passing game over the long term, the Valkyries moved last year’s starting quarterback Stacey Boldt back to receiver.

    At quarterback, the Valkyries are using a tandem of two youngsters in rookie Alex Eyolfson and sophomore Reed Thorstad in fashion similar to the way the CFL’s Saskatchewan Roughriders utilized John Hufnagel and Joe Barnes way back in 1981.

    Eyolfson played the first and fourth quarters completing four of five passes for 85 yards. She scrambled for a four-yard rushing major late in the first quarter.

    In the fourth quarter, Eyolfson hit rookie receiver and former University of North Dakota hockey standout Alyssa Wiebe for a 45-yard touchdown pass reception off an intermediate out route. Eyolfson later found Boldt on a shot eight-yard middle pass for a second throwing major.

    Thorstad called signals in the second and third quarters and completed one of seven passes. She was also intercepted by Fearless defensive back Marissa Milani deep on the Manitoba side of the field.

    The Valkyries passing game will smooth out with more repetitions in practice and games as the season moves on. Saskatoon’s passing game will receive another big boost, when veteran receiver Marci Kiselyk returns from injury.

    On defence, the Valkryies limited the Fearless to 68 net yards. In the second quarter, defensive back Shaylyn DeJong returned an interception 47 yards for a major score, while teammate Kelsey Dick had a pick-six of her own from 45 yards out late in that same frame.

Kendal Matheson (#25) runs in a touchdown for the Valyries.

    DeJong and sophomore linebacker Kathleen Kent topped the Valkyries with three tackles each.

    Carly Dyck kicked a 25-yard field goal and the Fearless conceded a safety to round out Saskatoon’s scoring. Fearless kicker Sara Milani accounted for her side’s only point on a 16-yard missed field goal.

    Going forward, the Valkryies will really see where they are at, when they face the Riot. Regina returns star quarterback Aimee Kowalski and star running back Carmen Agar along with sure-handed receivers Amanda Hungle, Claire Dore and Alex Kowalski. The Riot’s defence will be tough.

    Both teams have pushed each other to be better over the history of the WWCFL dating back to 2011. These two upcoming clashes should prove to be no different.

Samantha Matheson in the Express

Valkyries RB Samantha Matheson powers her way through Fearless tacklers.

    I recently caught up with Valkyries running back Samantha Matheson for a feature in the Saskatoon Express.

    In last year’s Prairie Conference final at Mosaic Stadium in Regina, Matheson had a game for the ages running for 159 yards on 14 carries and scoring four touchdowns. She helped the Valkyries rally from a 28-7 deficit to the host Riot to take a late 29-28 fourth quarter lead. The Riot took the clash 31-29 on a last second field goal.

    Matheson was going to walk away from football after playing through the 2015 campaign with nagging injuries to her knees. Over the off-season, her knees healed up to the point she decided to return for her third season. Her story can be found right here.

Roller derby in the Express

Action at a recent Saskatoon Roller Derby League practice.

    I had a busy week with the Saskatoon Express.

    Besides the story on Matheson, I also wrote a feature on the Saskatoon Roller Derby League. Since forming in 2007, Roller Derby is moving from a social function into a more serious sport.

    The Saskatoon league hosted its first-ever tournament on Saturday and Sunday at the Legends Centre in Warman billed as the “Attack of the 8-Wheeled Woman.”

    Veteran skaters Mel "Forna Skate" Langeler and Laurel "Bella Von Bastard" Turner talk about their experiences with the local league and the sport. 

    The feature on the league can be found here.

Rush fever to hit new heights

A Rush display at the Saskatoon airport.

    If you thought people in Saskatoon and area were crazy over the Saskatchewan Rush before, you likely ain’t seen nothing yet.

    On Saturday in Calgary, the Rush claimed Game 1 of the National Lacrosse League’s West Division final 16-10 against the host Roughnecks. Game 2 is slated for this coming Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the SaskTel Centre. In necessary, a series deciding 10-minute mini game will be held right after Game 2.

    The Rush played in front of crowds of over 10,000 people in each of their last six home dates. They drew 15,027 spectators to their last home contest back on April 16, which was an 11-8 victory over the Colorado Mammoth. One has to wonder if the Rush will be able to sneak in a few extra bodies into the SaskTel Centre past the fire marshal this coming Saturday in order to eclipse the attendance mark from the Mammoth game.

    The atmosphere at all nine regular season home games for the Rush has been raucous to say the least. Their merchandise is being worn by fans all over “the Bridge City.”

    “Rush Fever” will likely reach new heights this Saturday. There might even be tailgating in the parking lot with the warm weather. Getting to the SaskTel Centre early definitely seems like a must.

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

So long Wolfpack, Bring on the Riot

A trio of Valkyries gang tackle a Wolfpack receiver.

    Now the Saskatoon Valkyries can look forward.
    Entering a Western Women's Canadian Football League Prairie Conference semifinal playoff game as a heavy favourite over the Winnipeg Wolfpack, the Valkyries had to avoid looking forward to the possibility of playing their provincial rivals the Regina Riot in the Prairie Conference final.
    On Sunday at Saskatoon Minor Football Field, the Valkyries stayed focused on the task at hand. They scored touchdowns on three of their first four offensive plays and romped over the Wolfpack 66-7.
    In Regina on Sunday, the host Riot thumped the winless Manitoba Fearless 73-0 at Mosaic Stadium in the other Prairie Conference semifinal. As a result, the Riot will host the Valkyries in the Prairie Conference final this coming Sunday at 2 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
    Before looking towards playing the Riot, Valkyries quarterback Stacey Boldt was pleased her side stayed focused on the task at hand against the Wolfpack.
    "We just take it game by game," said Boldt. "The minute this game ended that is when we start preparing for Regina."
    Early in the semifinal clash at SMF, the Wolfpack did have success moving the ball offensively collecting a number of first downs. The Valkyries halted the visitor's momentum with the big play.
    After the Wolfpack failed to score on their first drive, Boldt hit veteran receiver Marci Kiselyk on a 61-yard touchdown strike to put the hosts up 7-0 after just their first offensive play of the game.

Valkyries receiver Marci Kiselyk hauls in a big-play catch.

    Saskatoon's second offensive play resulted in a 63-yard touchdown run by tailback Julene Friesen. On the Valkyries fourth offensive play, Boldt connected with receiver Carly Dyck on a 48-yard touchdown strike.
    Boldt said the early scores allowed her side to settle into the game.
    "It takes a lot of weight off the defence's shoulders and us as an offence going along the rest of the game too," said Boldt. "It was a great way to start the game."
    Before the first quarter ended, Friesen put the Valkyries up 28-0 scoring on a 96-yard touchdown run.
    The big plays kept coming in the second quarter, as Saskatoon built a 56-0 lead. Boldt hit Kiselyk on a 35-yard touchdown strike, running back Kelsey Murphy ran in a major from 27 yards out, Boldt found Dyck for 77-yard score through the air and Friesen ran in another major from 76 yards out.
    By halftime, Boldt completed all 10 of her pass attempts for 292 yards, and the Valkyries combined for 345 yards rushing.
    "It is a huge confidence booster for us," said Boldt about all the big plays. "We are seeing lots of different people play different positions right now. We are just gaining confidence game after game.
    "I just think we just came together as a team. We had a lot of injuries and bruises along the way here. We knew we had to bring our best game, and I think we did that."
    After a scoreless third quarter, Rienna Rueve kicked a 22 yard field goal to put Saskatoon up 59-0.
    The Wolfpack finally got on the scoreboard, when quarterback Amy Mohr connected with receiver Char Mash-Hadlow on a 14-yard touchdown pass.

Valkyries QB Stacey Boldt fires a strike downfield. 

    Valkyries tailback Sam Matheson ran in the game's final score from 26 yards out.
    The Valkyries and Riot meet in the Prairie Conference final for the fifth consecutive year. Saskatoon won the four previous encounters and proceeded to move on and win the WWCFL title in each of those campaigns.
    This season, the Valkyries slipped past the Riot 28-19 on May 19 in Regina. The Riot then bombed the Valkyries 49-9 in Saskatoon on May 30. The third encounter might be the most anticipated head-to-head match between the two squads.
    "It is going to be a great game," said Boldt. "We look forward to playing them every year. They are our rival.
    "We need to bring our A-game. We need to make up for kind of the last time we played them."

    If you have any comments about this blog post, feel free to email them to stankssports@gmail.com. Check out more photos of the Valkyries win on twitter @StanksSports.

Valkyries' drive for five hits next gear

Sam Matheson zips down the sideline for the Valkyries.

    The Saskatoon Valkyries are perfect in the playoffs, and they don't want that fact to change any time soon.
    Since the Western Women's Canadian Football League was formed in 2011, the Valkyries have won every league title that has been up for grabs. The goal for the 2015 campaign is to complete a drive for five season. The post-season begins for the four-time defending WWCFL champions on Sunday, when they host the Winnipeg Wolfpack at 1 p.m. at Saskatoon Minor Football Field in a Prairie Conference semifinal match.
    Saskatoon has won 11 straight playoff games, and at some point in time, that run will come to an end. The chance to win five straight league championships is something that is mostly beyond the dreams of anyone that plays any sport.
    If the Valkyries pull out the league championship this year, it might end up being their most memorable championship run.
    For only the second time in their history, they did not finish first in the Prairie Conference. They finished second at 3-1 behind the 3-1 Regina Riot. The two teams split their two head-to-head regular season meetings, but the Riot held the standings tiebreaker outscoring the Valkyries 68-37 in their two meetings.
    The last encounter saw the Riot thump the Valkyries 49-9 in Saskatoon on May 30. Saskatoon has lots only two games in its history, and the 40-point setback was largest margin of defeat in those two losses. The Valkyries have a chance to show their resiliency in a way they never had before.
    The only other time the Valkyries lost came back on May 12, 2013 on the road against the Riot in Regina 15-7. Valkyries running back Julene Friesen thought that setback played a big role in making a push to win the league title in that campaign.
    "I know that to get better you need to have some tough games, and you need to have losses," said Friesen. "I think the other girls took it pretty hard, because the girls that have been playing for three years had never experienced a loss before.
    "I think that loss helped us definitely as a team that year."

Valkyries DL Lauren Bourdon (#90) wraps up a Wolfpack runner.

    The Wolfpack finished 2-2 in the regular season, with both of their victories coming over the 0-4 Manitoba Fearless.
    In the only meeting between the Valkyries and Wolfpack this season, Saskatoon came away with a 75-0 blowout victory. On paper, you would expect the Valkyries to come away with another easy win.
   The Riot face the Fearless in the other Prairie Conference semifinal in Regina on Sunday, and the Riot will be beyond huge favourites to take that contest. The Valkyries will be playing at home for the final time in the 2015 campaign, unless Regina finds some way to slip against the Fearless.
    Before one can think about what could happen next week, there is business to take care of this week. A long playoff push has to begin with a first step.

Kyle nears big milestone

    Saskatoon product Kaylyn Kyle is about to hit the century mark.
    The 26-year-old midfielder will officially make her 100^th appearance for Canada's National Women's Soccer team the next time she steps on the pitch with that squad. Barring something unforeseen, that 100^th match will be Canada's first round playoff game on Sunday against Switzerland in Vancouver at the Women's World Cup (5:30 p.m. Saskatchewan time, CTV).
    Kyle's games played total includes all her international "A" totals. To make it to 100 appearances with Canada's National Women's Soccer team is a huge accomplishment. There are a large number of talented women's players coming up through Canada's system, and Kyle's talent and hard work have allowed her to remain with the big club.
    Judging by media reports coming out of Vancouver, the match between Canada and Switzerland is closing in on a sellout at B.C. Place. Canada only scored twice to earn a win and two draws to finish first in Group A in the preliminary round. Hopefully, a goal gusher comes for Canada on Sunday to help make Kyle's 100^th match memorable for good reasons for the host side.

Gaunt still gets rush from racing

    The racing scene in Saskatoon has a big following, and no one might be more respected than racing veteran Jim Gaunt.
    Gaunt has been racing as part of the Saskatoon Stock Car Racing Association since 1980 winning 13 class championships. The first came in 1984 and the last title win in 2011.
    I caught up with Gaunt for a feature article for the Saskatoon Express. I have received a lot of positive feedback about the story and it can be found here.

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

People who rock

    Wherever my life travels have taken me, I have found outstanding individuals.

    For just a plain feel good exercise, I thought I would list a few people who are “beauties” and make life just so much better. By no means is this list complete or even in any sort of order. I am just hoping it creates some good, upbeat and positive energy.

Kabree Howard

Kabree Howard in action for the Huskies.

    The University of Saskatchewan Huskies are so going to miss her.

    For five seasons, Howard was more than just a point guard on the Huskies women’s basketball team. She just made life better for everyone at the U of Saskatchewan.

    The Regina product was the heart of the Huskies program, who was everyone’s best friend and always knew the right thing to say to pick up someone’s spirits and motivate them. She also seemed to get out to every community event the Huskies held, and volunteered to help out numerous other community projects.

    When her final season was complete, Howard won the Huskies team award as the program’s all-around female athlete of the year. The 23-year-old has also excelled in the classroom being constant academic all-Canadian.

    While she has exhausted her playing eligibility, the Huskies would be wise to find a permanent position for her within their athletic department. All Howard has done is make the Huskies look good, and you can’t put a price on that.

Bob Ridley

Bob Ridley calls a Tigers game at The Arena.

  Ridley has been the play-by-play voice of the Medicine Hat Tigers for all 45 seasons of their existence and drove the team bus for the majority of that time.

    Les Lazaruk, who is the play-by-play voice of the Saskatoon Blades, called Ridley the dean of all WHL broadcasters, and the label fits.

    Between the regular season and post-season, Ridley has called all but one of the Tigers games. He has worked 3,219 of the team’s 3,220 regular season contests, all 388 of the club’s contests in the WHL playoffs and all 20 games the team has played in at the Memorial Cup tournament for a total of 3,627 contests.

    Ridley, 70, is a WHL legend and icon. Back in 2006, he was the recipient of the WHL’s Distinguished Service Award. There is hope that one day he will find his way into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and he is deserving of a spot with the game’s all-time greats.

    The best part about Rids is he has always taken all the accolades that have come his way in a humble manner, and he has never made himself that big of a deal. The press box in the new Medicine Hat Regional Event Centre, which is nearing completion, will be named after Ridley.

    Last season was the first campaign Ridley wasn’t the full-time bus driver for the Tigers since the early 1970s. He does admit he is getting older, and he needed to depart from that role.

    Ridley has been blessed with great health for his whole life, and here is hoping he will still be calling Tigers for a few more season’s in the future. When the day comes you no longer get to hear “he scooorrrreeeesss” on the radio, it will feel like something is missing.

Cody Smuk and Stephanie Vause

Cody Smuk and Stephanie Vause watch a Huskies men's hockey game.

    The former U of Saskatchewan Huskies athletes, who are engaged to me married, never cease to be inspiring.

    When Smuk was diagnosed with cancer just over a year ago, the resolve this young couple has displayed has been breathtaking. Smuk, who was a forward with the Huskies men’s hockey team, has always been a hard-working and ultimate team guy. Vause, who was a member of the Huskies track and field team, never wavered as a source of outstanding support for Smuk.

    She started the Gofundme page to raise money to help Smuk in cancer battle. The funds have been used to send Smuk to Germany for an alternative vaccine treatment. The doctors took a sample from the cancerous tumour in Smuk’s chest and created a vaccine for it, and the initial news is that the treatment is working.

    Smuk proposed to Vause in late December of last year. In February, the couple won a Dream Wedding Contest, which was organized by Crystal MacLeod of RSVP Event Design.

    Smuk and Vause have impressed all of their supports throughout Smuk’s cancer battle. They deserve nothing but good things to keep coming their way.

Steve Hogle

Steve Hogle, right, works the card table at the Blades Vegas night.

    The president of the Saskatoon Blades has become the public face of the hockey club.

    Hogle arrived in Saskatoon in September of 2013 and became Blades president under the club’s new owner Mike Priestner. Since landing in the Bridge City, Hogle hit the ground running to do his best to become part of his new community.

    Any time the Blades are engaged in a community event, Hogle is front and centre ensuring that everything is organized. He has represented the team in all sorts of forums, and on game nights, he can always be found on the concourse level interacting with fans.

    He has developed a reputation for being fun and energetic, and he helps add a lot of spark to the club’s various nightly promotions. That includes have a very noticeable joy of being part of the hoopla during the club’s Las Vegas night, where Hogle can be found working a card table.

    Away from the Blades, Hogle can be found wandering Saskatoon doing various other activities like taking in other sporting events like the Canadian Interuniversity Sport Men’s Volleyball Championships at the U of Saskatchewan or checking out a Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan play performance.

    Once thought to be a lifer with CTV News in Edmonton, Hogle has found a home in Saskatoon.

Kandace Cook

Kandace Cook zips down the ice for the Huskies.

    The gritty and hard-working forward in hockey always finds a place in your heart, and no one in the Canada West women’s conference was a feisty as Kandace Cook.

    She stands only 5-foot-2 but played the game like she was 6-foot-2. The Lloydminster product was spectacular in her fifth and final season with the U of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s hockey team. For the third straight season, Cook appeared in all of the Huskies 28 regular season games, and she had career highs in goals (13) and points (22).

    For her efforts, Cook was named the most valuable player of the Huskies women’s hockey team.

    When she is on the ice, you can tell Cook loves the game. She is not afraid to go in front of the net or into the corners, where players do still take a physical beating in the women’s game. Away from the rink, she is energetic, outgoing and is very popular with the rest of her teammates.

    Now that she has exhausted her university eligibility, the Huskies will definitely miss Cook next season, and could only wish to find five more players just like her.

    Away from the rink, you don’t have to know Cook long to learn that her other big passion is farming, and she can usually be found helping out the family farm operation.

Peter Anholt

Peter Anholt.

    It was a big lift for the WHL, when Peter Anholt once again became employed with one of the league’s member teams in a role as a manager or coach.

    The Naicam, Sask., product was a respected, accountable and personable career coach in the WHL for much of his life. After guiding the Prince Albert Raiders to the playoffs in the 2006-07 campaign as head coach, Anholt parted ways with the club when his contract was allowed to expire in the off-season.

    Anholt had huge ties to the Raiders and to the Prince Albert community, and it was strange that he was no longer the team’s head coach. He was a defenceman on two national championship teams with the Raiders in 1979 and 1981, when the club was still a member of the junior A ranks. It seemed like he was meant to coach that team forever.

    The former defenceman with the U of Saskatchewan Huskies men’s hockey team 1983 University Cup national championship team was hired by the struggling Lethbridge Hurricanes as an assistant general manager in June of 2014. The Hurricanes last made the WHL playoffs in 2009. Anholt’s arrival was the first huge positive step forward the team took in some time.

    In December of last year, the Hurricanes cleaned house firing general manager Brad Robson and head coach Drake Berehowsky.

    Anholt became the club’s new head coach and general manager. For the rest of the 2014-15 regular season, the Hurricanes were no longer an easy win for every other team in the league. The Hurricanes played inspired hockey and started rolling off some winning streaks.

    The coaching veteran treated the players with respect but still held them accountable. His biggest strength is his ability to instill confidence, and that could be seen when the Hurricanes took the ice. They still finished second last in the league at 20-44-5-3, but hope had returned to Lethbridge.

    In May, the Hurricanes signed Anholt to a three-year extension as the team’s general manager. On Thursday, Anholt hired long time Calgary Hitmen assistant coach Brent Kisio as the Hurricanes new head coach. The hire was a forward thinking move by Anholt bringing in an eager 32-year-old bench boss, who had been part of a winning program.

    Not so long ago, the Hurricanes were a franchise players wanted to leave. Under Anholt, players are now excited about the prospect of joining the Hurricanes.

Kris Russell

A Kris Russell card from his Tigers days.

    The Caroline, Alta., product is living proof that talent, hard work and persistence can take you a long way.

    During his major junior days with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Russell was viewed as one of the most exciting players in the entire Canadian Hockey League helping Canada win gold at the world junior championships in 2006 and 2007 and being named the WHL’s MVP in the 2006-07 campaign. He also accumulated numerous other accolades in his four seasons with the Tigers from 2003 to 2007, and he was key in helping Medicine Hat win WHL championships in 2004 and 2007.

    Russell started his NHL career with an extended stay with the Columbus Blue Jackets before being dealt to the St. Louis Blues. The Blues built a deep back end, and traded Russell to the struggling Calgary Flames in July of 2013.

    With the Flames, the dynamic Russell was given a full out shot to excel, and he didn’t disappoint. This past season, Russell cemented a reputation for being a standout on the blue-line at the NHL level.

    In helping the Flames make the playoffs for the first time in six years, Russell established a new NHL record for most blocked shots in a season at 283, which broke the old mark of 274 set back Anton Volchenkov in the 2006-07 campaign with the Ottawa Senators.

    Russell, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 173 pounds, also set career highs in assists (30), points (34) and plus-minus rating (plus-18) playing 79 regular season games with the Flames. In the playoffs, Russell netted two goals, seven assists and blocked 54 shots in 11 games.

    Away from the rink, Russell has always been well mannered and has treated others with lots of respect. He is a good guy, and it is great to see success at the NHL level come to a good guy.

David Schlemko

David Schlemko back in 2007.

    During his whole professional hockey career, David Schlemko proved that you can make it into the NHL as an undrafted player.

    The Edmonton product was never selected in the NHL Entry Draft, but he made it to the professional ranks after signing an NHL entry-level contract with the Arizona Coyotes in 2007. An offensive defenceman in his major junior career with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Schlemko was being molded into a power-play specialist as a member of the Coyotes franchise.

    He started in the Central Hockey League ranks, worked his way up through the American Hockey League ranks and joined the Coyotes on a full-time basis for the 2010-11 campaign.

    For a time, it seemed like Schlemko would be a career member of the Coyotes franchise. That all changed this season, when the Coyotes decided to go in another direction dumping a number of veterans to get younger.

    With his contact set to expire at the end of the season, he was placed on waivers after playing 20 regular season games with the Coyotes and claimed by the Dallas Stars in January. He played five games with the Stars before again being placed of waivers, and he was claimed by the Calgary Flames in early March.

    Joining his third team in the final year of his contact, you had to wonder if Schlemko would be cycled out of the NHL. He turned 28 in May, but lots of players get cycled out of the league at that age to make room for younger prospects.

    Schlemko has a good understanding of the realities of the business side of hockey, but he showed he still has a lot to offer at the NHL level in his time with the Flames. He made an immediate impact in his first game with the Flames.

    Locked in a 2-2 draw against the Bruins in Boston on March 5, the Flames sent Schlemko on the ice to win the contest in the eighth round of a tiebreaking shootout.

    He scored on a sick move to give the Flames a 3-2 victory. He appeared in 19 regular season games with the Flames posting a plus-six rating helping the club earn a post-season berth for the first time in six years.

    With star defenceman and captain Mark Giordano gone for the season with a torn biceps tendon, Schlemko provided a calming influence on the Flames back end. He also suited up for all 11 of Calgary’s post-season games posting an assist and a plus-one rating.

    Between the Coyotes, Stars and Flames, Schlemko appeared in 44 regular season games last season posting one goal, three assists and a plus-one rating. He is reliable on the back end, and the Flames would be wise to resign him. If the Flames believe they will have depth on defence, they could convert Schlemko into a forward. He has play making skills that would allow his to flourish at that position.

    Schlemko can still contribute at the NHL level, and hopefully he will get another contract with some team in the show. If he does get cycled out, he would depart on a high note.

Valkyries eye up playoffs

Julene Friesen runs to daylight for the Valkyries

    The Saskatoon Valkyries are heading into the Western Women’s Canadian Football League playoffs on a high note.

    On Sunday in Winnipeg, the Valkyries closed the regular season dumping the Manitoba Fearless 36-15. Saskatoon finished at 3-1, while Manitoba closed out at 0-4. Valkyries running back Julene Friesen had one of the biggest plays of the contest scoring on a 49-yard romp.

    The Valkyries finished second in the WWCFL’s Prairie Conference to the 3-1 Regina Riot. The Valkyries and Riot split their two head-to-head meetings, but the Riot held the standings tiebreaker outscoring the Valkyries 68-37 in their two regular season tilts.

    Regina closed the regular season by dumping the Wolfpack in Winnipeg 47-3. The Wolfpack finished off at 2-2.

    After a bye week, the WWCFL Prairie Conference semifinal games are slated for June 21. The Valkyries will host the Wolfpack, while the Riot host the Fearless. The start times for those matches are still to be announced.

    On June 13 at 7 p.m., the Valkyries are hosting a fundraising cabaret at the #38 Anavets – Army, Navy and Airforce Veterans club. It is an 18+ event. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from any Valkyries player.

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