Former Prince Albert Mintos Captain Barret Berger has signed a Letter of Intent with the Nipawin Hawks of the SJHL. (Image Credit: Submitted photo/Barret Berger)

By Clark Stork

Goal accomplished

Mintos captain signs with Nipawin Hawks

Mar 13, 2026 | 12:16 PM

The Nipawin Hawks have signed Barret Berger to a Letter of Intent for next year’s Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season.

Barret Berger, the captain of the Prince Albert Mintos U18 AAA team and draft pick of Nipawin with the sixth overall choice in 2023 has signed with the club. The 2008-born defenceman was one of the final cuts from the SJHL club’s last training camp before leaving the Saskatoon Contacts to join the Mintos in Prince Albert. He said putting pen to paper with the Hawks was an expectation this year.

“It’s exciting, it’s something I have been working towards throughout the season. It was a goal of mine to get an offer to sign with the Hawks and try to make the team next year as I came up short this year,” Berger said.

In 44 games this year in the Saskatchewan AAA U18 Hockey League, Berger scored 10 goals and added 17 assists. In three years in the top U18 league in the province, the 6’2″, 192-pound rearguard scored 15 goals and added 37 assists. Berger admitted not making the SJHL as a 17-yar-old stung, but moving to Prince Albert was a blessing leading the Mintos.

“It was disappointing at the start getting cut from the Hawks, but it definitely turned out to be the best thing to happen to me,” he said. “I got a huge role with the Mintos, met some great people, and had a great year.”

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Berger has suited up for Nipawin since he was drafted by the club. He played two games three seasons ago, one last campaign and one game this year in Melfort against the Mustangs. Berger said getting into those games helped his decision.

“Playing those four games showed me what’s it’s like to be a Hawk and what it means to the community, and also how the organization runs on a day-to-day basis kind of thing,” Berger added.

The Hawks will conclude the regular season Friday against the Mustangs at the Centennial Arena. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com