Sask West This Week: Debriefing
By Phil Heilman
Considering the senior hockey has officially ended, we will take a look at each team and its accomplishments during the Sask West Hockey League (SWHL) and the Hockey Saskatchewan provincials.
Kindersley Sr Klippers
Finishing in 2nd in the league standings at 10-8, tied with the Hafford Hawks but seeded higher due to tiebreaking rules, helped the Klippers and seemed to be the difference in the series with the 3 seeded Hawks in a 3-1 semifinal series win. Klippers also took care of business in a 2-0 Round 1 win against the Unity Miners. The Klippers faced the top seed Wilkie Outlaws in the final in a 5-game thriller, which the deciding game came down to overtime, and were able to win their first Champions Cup since 2012/13. The team was known as the Red Lions at that time.
Additions to this year's Klippers roster, mainly Drackett, Lane Gilliss and Tyler Traptow, really bolstered an already skilled forward core and added depth to the defense, propelling them to a League Championship.
Wilkie Outlaws
A tough, heart-breaking OT goal in game 5 of the SWHL Finals left a sour taste after a great run, including the first ever undefeated regular season in SWHL history. Led by veterans in Brock Harrison, Rick Cey and Derek Keller, and addition Brett Boehm made for a balanced and potent attack. Finishing 1st with that sparkling 18-0 record, receiving a bye and breezing through the Macklin Mohawks in 3 straight, they ran into a white-hot goaltender in Logan Drackett.
The Wilkie Outlaws captured the Provincial C Championship. Photo by Phil Heilman
With an experienced core, the season wasn’t over as they had a chance to hoist a provincials trophy, which they did on March 29th, defeating the Kyle Elks in a 3-0 win. Jared Herle was outstanding in net to secure the Outlaws’ s third Senior C title. Wilkie can be proud of the fact that they went through the provincials bracket with a perfect 8-0 record.
Macklin Mohawks
With a new goaltender in Trevor Martin, and a renewed taste for the cup after losing last years final in 4 games to the Wilkie Outlaws, the Mohawks had a very roller coaster start, but were able to stable the ship for an 8-8-2 record and a date with the 4 seeded Edam 3 Stars. Macklin was able to pull out the 2-0 series win but succumbed to the Wilkie Outlaws in the semifinals in 3 straight.
The Mohawks’ season wasn’t done either as they continued their way through the Senior D bracket, reaching the finals for the first time in 15 years. In a tough battle with the Redvers Rockets, Macklin came out on top in game 3 on March 31st to win their first D division in team history.
Hafford Hawks
Led by veterans Jeremy Boyer and Jordan Braid, and adding Kyle Ireland to that top line, the Hawks flourished. Although it took a little while to get the engine firing on all cylinders, Hafford was able to finish the year with a 10-8 record, tied with the Kindersley Sr Klippers. They ended up being the 3 seed due to the tiebreaking rules.
In their opening round match up against the upstart 6 seed Biggar Nationals, it went the distance with the Hawks moving on. In the semifinals, they faced the Kindersley Sr Klippers. Hafford won the first game but ended up losing the series 3-1.
Hawks fans should be excited with the team that they have, with a lot of potential to continue climbing upwards.
Edam 3 Stars
Another solid year for the perennial powerhouse in the north, adding Taryn Kotchorek as their #1 goaltender and the Dziurzynski brothers midway through the year really bolstered to the already loaded roster. They did stumble at the end of the season, losing their last three (all to the Macklin Mohawks), and settling for a 9-8-1 record and the 4 seed in the first round against the aforementioned Mohawks. The 3 Stars couldn't muster anything in a 2-game sweep.
With a good, skilled core that has a few years left and a rough and tumble defense that makes you think twice about entering the corners, Edam likely has nothing to worry about and will continue to cruise in what has become an ultra-competitive league.
Biggar Nationals
Don’t let that 7-9-2 record fool you, the Nats were a force to be reckoned with this year. Led by Jonathon Redlick and goaltender Brett Matlock, they rattled a lot of cages and propelled Biggar into an exciting era of hockey.
The 6 sees Nationals faced the Hafford Hawks in the first round and gave them everything they could handle in the 3-game series, eventually losing out.
Ken Kernohan has something cooking in the land of the Hanson Buck, putting the league on notice this year and they will have more eyes on them going into next year.
Unity Miners
It was another rebuilding year for the Miners, but they won a game! Small steps are still steps, and it appears that the organization is working in the right direction.
With their 1-16-1 record, they were the 7 seed against the Kindersley Sr Klippers and went down in 2 straight.
Parting Shots
“From the Presidents perspective, this hockey season was very successful for the SWHL.” said SWHL president Joe Cey in an email statement.
“We have established great parity this year within the league, evident by the fact that we have had 3 different champions in the last 3 seasons. Macklin in 2022, Wilkie in 2023 and Kindersley this season. We are very pleased to see Macklin claim the Prov D championship, and Wilkie the Prov C championship. Looking forward to another great year of hockey next season. “
It is worth noting that for the first time since the 2008-09 season, the SWHL has multiple provincial champions who weren’t crowned league champions. In that season, the Eston Ramblers won the B Division title over the Shaunavon Badgers, the aforementioned Macklin Mohawks defeated the Drake Canucks to secure the C Division title, and the Luseland Mallards took home the D Division title over the Lucky Lake Lakers. The League Champion that year was the Leader Flyers.
See you all the rinks for the 2024-2025 season!