The SJHL previously hosted simulated hockey to try and have fun with fans during the coronavirus pandemic. (Twitter/@theSJHL).

By Aaron Schulze

SJHL Virtual Showcase

‘Kudos for trying something’: SJHL preparing for simulated showcase

Jan 13, 2021 | 5:04 PM

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) is going the simulated route again.

Nearly eight months after concluding its “SJ Canalta Simulation,” the SJHL will hold its “Virtual SJHL Showcase” live on Twitch.

“Without being able to host a showcase this year, we felt it was important to get the players’ names out there for scouts,” SJHL President Bill Chow told northeastNOW. “We had the coaches select the players, no different than they would have had there been a real showcase.”

The SJHL and Manitoba Junior Hockey League typically have a joint showcase in January. Chow said the league hopes the Virtual SJHL Showcase provides entertainment to fans while presenting the players to scouts in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and American hockey leagues.

“Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of game footage from this year that would be able to be used to circulate out to different scouts,” Chow said. “There’s not a whole lot of stats out there either. It’s a matter of getting the names of the players out to the scouts and schools and making them somewhat familiar; a preview to what those names are.”

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Wayne Kosior scouts Western Canada players for the Des Moines Buccaneers in the United States Hockey League (USHL). The USHL has brought NCAA-bound players from the SJHL, including Karter McNarland and Tristan Lemyre.

Kosior applauded the SJHL for trying something new to promote their players while play is suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s a competitive environment out there,” Kosior said. “They’re competing with Manitoba, Alberta, and B.C. junior players. The USHL and NAHL have been playing since October. We’re already 20 games into the regular season and targeting to play 52 games at the end of April. It’s a great thing the SJHL is trying to do something at this difficult time for them.”

However, Kosior emphasized how crucial live games are for scouts to ultimately decide if a player is worthy of being pursued by their respective clubs. In order to make the Virtual SJHL Showcase a meaningful watch for scouts, Kosior suggested the league to highlight characteristics a scout couldn’t find with a quick online search, instead of focusing too much on stats and highlights.

“Their background and long-term hockey goals,” Kosior said. “If they’re looking to go to the NCAA, those are the players we’re looking for from a USHL perspective. But we ultimately need to see these players live to get a read on their skills and perspective. A simulated game will be great for the fans. I’m sure there are a lot of die hard SJHL fans that have been without play for a couple of months.”

The SJHL Virtual Showcase takes place Jan. 29 and 30.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow