Klippers make team-shifting moves this week
By Jordan Parker
In a bid to get their team numbers in SJHL compliance, the Iron Horse Kindersley Klippers made some big moves.
The organization made several moves to protect and push forward the future of the organization, and prospects they have mark a good direction for the club.
While the Klippers acquired forward Wyatt Cook from the Flin Flon Bombers for a fourth-round pick, they also sent off veteran defenseman Josh Morton to the Kam River Walleye in exchange for PDF.
They followed up by sending important team piece, defenseman Josh Pufahl, to the Walleye as well for a PDF.
Despite the numerous high-profile moves, Assistant Coach Tyler Traptow says the team definitely is not planning a rebuild.
“We had to get down to 23 skaters by December 1,” he said. “We ran into some injury issues this season, and juggling players and numbers, it came down to this.”
“We can win with the group we have. We need to focus on some fine-tuning, putting pieces together and more. We’ve got five significant injuries.”
One of them is recent acquisition and fiery forward Logan Cox, who was injured in November.
“That was a really, really tough one. He ended up needing to get shoulder surgery. He wants to be back in town quickly with the guys, though,” said Traptow.
Cox was acquired from the Melfort Mustangs this season – and had netted six goals and six assists in 10 games with the Klippers prior to injury.
“We don’t know the exact timeline. But he’ll get doing physio, and we’ll get him back as soon as possible. He’s great on both ends of the rink. He’s such a good player,” he said.
While injuries – and the losses of Pufahl and Morton – make things difficult, Traptow realizes hockey is a business.
“It’s tough moving guys out of here who have been around a while. They were well-liked in the room and the community. But junior hockey is a business, and we try to do these things as professionally as we can,” he said.
“It’s never easy to see it happen. But we wish the guys the best, and want them to be happy and successful moving forward.”
With a focus on the prospects for the Klippers, they received some good news to start the month. Cobe and Cam Perlinger were selected to compete at the 2023 Canada Games.
They’ll be there with their sister Caitlyn, who will be competing in the U18 female category.
“We have a lot of good prospects. The Perlingers had a great start, and it’s nice to see them be rewarded,” he said. “I’m excited for their future, and we’ll all be watching the winter games.”
The weekend represented a third outing against the Notre Dame team at home, during the Klippers’ Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are meant to throw their stuffies on the ice during the first goal. Stuffies will be given to the Crisis Center Christmas Hampers.
“It was an exciting event. People look forward to it. With a school band, entertainment and a good crowd, it’s fun to cheer the team on,” said Traptow.
The Klippers won 2-1 in a shoot out over the Notre Dame Hounds on Saturday night at the Hangar!
It was the annual “Teddy Bear Toss” game where fans got to throw their stuffies on the ice after the first Klipper goal. Stuffies will be given to the West Central Crisis Center Christmas Hampers. The KCS Jazz Band was also in attendance and provided entertainment with music between plays.
Stuffies were being donated to the West Central Crisis Centre’s Christmas Hamper program. PHOTOS BY KATE WINQUIST, click for larger images
Kyler Smith scored at 1:24 of the second period with assists credited to Logan Linklater and Tyler Hilbig. The game was delayed for a few minutes while Klipper players and officials tidied up the ice surface.
The rest of the second period was all Hounds as they outshot the Klippers 19-1. Notre Dame managed to tie up the contest with a power play goal at 6:21 by Evan Vanden Heuval. Carson Baylis got the assist.
The goalies were the stars of the show. Tucker Inabinet stopped 29/30 shots he faced while the Klippers Cody Jaman turned aside 41/42 shots.
There was no scoring in the third period or the overtime, which meant the game would be decided in a shoot out. It took seven tries, but Ethan Scriven finally ended it for the home team.
They next play on Tuesday, December 6th, 2022 against Estevan.