Klippers Assistant Captain called up
By Jordan Parker
Just one week after naming Logan Linklater Assistant Captain, the Kindersley Klippers lost the forward at the trade deadline.
The 18-year-old had played 26 games for the Klippers in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, but the WHL's Prince Albert Raiders traded their 2018 WHL Bantam Draft pick to the Regina Pats for a conditional 2023 eighth-round pick on Jan. 10, 2022, at the deadline.
"His rights were traded, and now he's gone to Regina to finish out the year. That one really caught us off guard," said Assistant Coach Mitch Topinka.
"We are wishing him the best of luck, but it's difficult. It's just one of those things, I guess."
The team has yet to name a new Assistant Captain following the trade, and Topinka says it hasn't been discussed yet.
"We found out on Sunday, and with the deadline on the 10th, it just hasn't come up yet," he said. That said, the Klippers made some moves themselves at the deadline.
They took on Prescott Senger from the Estevan Bruins. He's had three points and 20 penalty minutes for the Bruins but started the season with the Yorkton Terriers.
"He's a big 19-year-old, and he's friends with Klipper Nathan DeGraves. He just gets that engine going and doesn't stop," said Topinka.
The Klippers also picked up Regina native Cameron Rimstad, who was playing in the AJHL for the Olds Grizzlys.
In their biggest deal, they sent defenseman Brendan Lee – who had a goal, four assists and 28 penalty minutes – to the Nipawin Hawks for Centre Andrew Schaab. He had seven goals and 12 assists for the Hawks in 36 games this season.
"It wasn't ideal to move Brendan, but we truly just had to make a hockey trade," he said. "Andrew is a great player, and he'll be able to contribute a lot to this team."
However, Schaab will have to wait a while to play against his former team. Their Wednesday, Jan. 12 tilt was postponed due to some COVID-19 outbreaks in the SJHL.
"Nipawin's team was in lockdown. They didn't think they'd be ready to play, so we postponed. Many teams are having to do it right now," he said.
"I imagine it could happen to us at one point. It's always in the back of your mind. I think, at worst, there would be a paused or extended season. But overall, I think this season will get finished, and I don't worry about the guys being left heartbroken again."
A signing with an eye to the future could also excite Klipper's fans.
"We signed Karson Blanchette to a Letter Of Intent for next year, and we're all really excited about it," said Topinka.
Blanchette – of Unity, SK. – has so far played three games with the Klippers and produced an assist. He formerly played for the West Central Wheat Kings in the Bantam AA Program, amassing 70 points in 57 games. He currently has 20 points in 28 games with the Prince Albert Mintos at AAA.
"It was just a no-brainer after his first game with us. We wanted him to be here next year, and when we spoke to Karson and his parents, he signed instantly," he said.
"We are allowed to have him for up to 10 games until his AAA team is done, so we'll try to get him up a few more times. We look forward to next year."
As for the Klippers, after a 4-3 losing effort against the Melville Millionaires on Jan. 8, Topinka called the game "disappointing." With Flin Flon coming to Kindersley on Friday, Topinka expects better.
"We need to stick to our systems. It's been the same problem all year. We'll be good for a game, then spend two not doing it," he said. "The big thing is playing together, sticking to our systems, and doing what works.”
