(File photo/northeastNOW staff)

By Clark Stork for northeastNOW

Hawk and Roll

Nipawin opens the SJHL season tonight

Nov 6, 2020 | 11:02 AM

It’s been a long eight months but the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) is back.

Tonight, the Nipawin Hawks play their first game since March 11 when the COVID-19 pandemic halted their playoff series with the Battlefords North Stars.

Nipawin head coach Doug Johnson said there is still some lingering bitterness towards decisions made at all levels but he’s excited to be back behind the bench.

“There’s a sense of relief, there’s still obviously the disappointment from last year, I think that’s going to linger,” he said. “There’s still frustration and possibly anger directed at people above us in regard to how we got here and how things have been dealt with. It is sure nice to get back to playing hockey and having meaningful points on the line. Now we need to make sure we can keep the season moving forward in a safe manner.”

The Hawks will return 12 players from last year’s squad. Their roster will be filled seven SJHL rookies and several transactions landing the likes of Christian Albertson and Zack Falck. When it comes to the 2020 recruitment class, Johnson said he’s as excited as he’s ever been in his 11 years with Nipawin.

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“I think it’s going to be as strong as any we’ve seen in along time. Some of these guys have stepped in and deserve bigger roles right now than we are able to give because we are so deep up front. We also have Chase Hamm in net, he’s come in and all he has done is pitched zeros, he’s been phenomenal. I really like our recruiting class,” Johnson said.

Jack Lenchyshyn is the lone 20-year-old on the defence group that also boasts two 17-year-old rookies in Eric Robbie and Liam Bell. Both will stick with the team. Returnees Cole Beamin, McKyllan Couture, and Evan Bortis will look for increased ice time while Josh Morton comes in as a reliable 2002 born player from northern Alberta.

Ross Hawryluk will be back manning the crease for his second year. The 6’4” Lloydminster product had an up and down rookie season, but Johnson expects him to be a premier SJHL netminder.

“He just looks like a different person right now,” he said. “He’s dialled in, focused, he’s just carrying himself a different way. He’s going to be a key piece to our success.”

Up front the Hawks are led by their captain, four-year veteran Jake Tremblay. He is flanked by speedy winger Michael Makarenko on the top line. Brodie Girod will guide the second line; Josh Lester looks to come back from a broken ankle and build on his promising 19-year-old campaign. Andrew Schaab and Davis Chorney will look to make strides in their second seasons with the team as well. Johnson said the forward group has potential to give teams fits this year.

“They want to play the meaningful games, they’ve been through the exhibition, they’ve been through the training camps, they just want to play. They are chomping at the bit. The guy I’m most excited for is Schaab, he’s been unbelievable through exhibition,” Johnson said.

Nipawin opens their 50-game regular season in La Ronge Friday before a return visit to the Centennial Arena Saturday. Teams will stay in the north division until the travel expands after the Christmas break and teams will play home-and-home series to keep potential COVID outbreaks to a minimum. The Ice Wolves were heavily improved last year under the guidance of former NHLer Kevin Kaminski. Johnson expects the same test from La Ronge this year.

“I’m expecting La Ronge to be a lot like last year,” he said. “They transition well, they get the puck up the ice extremely well. They play physical, they make our defence turn every single rush and they played a hard, heavy game.”

Every Hawks road game will be broadcasted on Saskatchewan’s new Beach Radio. The pregame show will begin at 7:15 p.m. with faceoff slated for 7:30 p.m.

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