SWHL Klippers mainstay finishing final season
By Jordan Parker
It’s been a banner season for the SWHL Kindersley Klippers so far, and Byron Ismond is set to bow out at the end of this campaign.
After 13 years in the SWHL, he’s ready to move on after what he calls the best season in years.
“This is one of the greatest seasons we’ve had in a while,” said Ismond, and the Klippers’ first place, 13-0-0-1 regular season finish is emblematic of that.
PHOTO COURTESY BYRON ISMOND TWITTER
“I’ve been around since the 2007-2008 season, and this might just be the best season we’ve had since I joined.”
While he did take a few years in the SJHL, Ismond said he came right back to senior when he could.
“The league just keeps your competitive side going. It also keeps you in shape for sure,” he laughed.
“You can go out against guys and be worst enemies for a night, and just be best buddies the next.”
He says the team has remained strong throughout the last few years, and have become close to each other.
“We’ve had the same core for a number of years, and the imports have been around for a bit,” he said.
“We have a solid base and chemistry, and our young guys fit in well. They want to stick around for a while, which is amazing.”
The team played their quarter final playoff round against the eighth-place finishers in the Unity Miners last week, and emerged victorious. They won Game One 4-2, and Game Two 8-2.
“We played as good as can be expected. You can fear teams often who haven’t won a lot in the regular season. But we handled things well and played well,” he said.
“They competed really hard, which made us keep our compete level up. Their goalie played really well, and they made us earn it.”
They’ll face the Macklin Mohawks beginning Wednesday, February 15th, 2023. The Mohawks defeated the Hafford Hawks in the quarter finals 2-0 in the series also.
“We just know they’ll go in with the same mentality as us. They have a core group just like us and skilled guys,” he said. “They’ll stay in every game no matter the score. They have no ‘off’ button, and we need to keep up with them.”
Though the Klippers were the recipients of the random-draw bye for the SHA provincials, they start play against the Drake Canucks (Lonh Lake HL) on February 18th, 2023.
“We’ve heard about a few of their guys through the grapevine to watch for. There have been rumblings and we know they have good players, including their goalie,” he said.
“In senior hockey in Saskatchewan, you get to know the players, so there aren’t too many surprises. You’re aware of imports and elites. It’s a matter of where they end up playing.”
With playoffs started and provincials beginning next week, the Klippers may find themselves doing double duty. It’s a different task to play both, says Ismond.
“In the playoffs, you stick to what you know. You know how to handle teams. In provincials, players move around. We have some new players and so do others,” he said.
“You need to adapt to how that other team plays. You need to feel things out, and that first game is always a wild card. It’s just such a different game style.”
No matter where the end of the season takes the Klippers, Ismond is proud of the 13 years he spent in the SWHL.
“It’s been so fun and so challenging. The league is just so rewarding. But I have kids who are starting sports themselves, and schedules are getting busier. I want to be less sore in the morning,” he said.
“I’m going to miss the dressing room with the guys. I’ll miss being at the rink. I’ve been spending weekends playing hockey at the rink since I was a kid. But after 30 years, it’s time for a good change and to be with my family more.”
The next SWHL playoff game for the Klippers will be Wednesday, February 15th, 2023, and the next SHA provincial game will be February 18th.