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By Mat Barrett and Aaron Schulze

SJHL Gets Funding

‘We can probably survive’: Mustangs and Hawks react to provincial funding for SJHL

Jan 15, 2021 | 4:30 PM

There’s big money coming to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) from the provincial government.

It was announced on Friday, Jan. 15 that the province will give the SJHL $1 million in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges it has caused. The SJHL only held games for under three weeks in November since the first hockey pause in March 2020.

“The SJHL, which consists of community-owned teams, has been in a state of uncertainty due to COVID-19 during the past several months,” SJHL President Bill Chow said in a press release. “The financial support that has been provided by the Saskatchewan Government creates a more positive outlook for our teams.”

According to league sources, it likely the league will divide the money to its 12-member teams, as well as the SJHL itself. However, with the Flin Flon Bombers being based in Manitoba, it’s still unknown as to how they will play into the equation. There’s also no directive for the funds and will go to the teams to use at their discretion.

“Our junior hockey teams are a critical part of the cultural fabric and local economies across the province,” Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said in the release. “Necessary restrictions due to COVID-19 have had a significant impact on these leagues and their teams and this support will help them address these financial challenges.”

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The SJHL also announced its intent to complete its 2020-21 season.

Melfort Mustangs

The $1 million in funding comes at a great time for the Melfort Mustangs.

“We’ve had our struggles,” Mustangs President Chad Elliott told northeastNOW. “We’ve had our struggles to get the boys on the ice, plus, also trying to keep this organization viable for the future. It’s a huge relief.”

Elliott said the talks were progressing for a few months and it’s nice to finally hear the money was coming.

With there being no official directive for the money that the teams will get, Elliott compared it to a grant.

“For our organization, it’s going to be one of those stepping stones,” he said. “Along with all the community support that we’ve got that will allow us to hopefully get us to next season where things are back to normal.”

Elliott said that while getting funding like this takes a bit of stress off the club, it doesn’t mean they will stop fundraising like they have been.

He added every team, and businesses in general have been put in a crunch with the COVID-19 pandemic, and that Melfort has been great when it comes to support for the team during this time of uncertainty.

Nipawin Hawks

Nipawin Hawks President Scott Anderson echoed the provincial funding would relieve some of the burden caused by COVID-19, although they must continue fundraising themselves to stay successful.

Anderson said previously cancelled fundraisers due to COVID-19, including Hawktober Fest and the Hawks’ fishing tournament, took away at least $100,000.

“For any organization that relies on volunteers and outside fundraising, you take $100,000 out of their bottom line and that’s quite a hit,” Anderson said. “This money we’re receiving from the government might not totally make up the difference, but it’s a pretty good start. Every SJHL club has been struggling for money. This will ensure that we can probably survive until the future.”

As of their most recent financial statement in 2018-19, the Hawks had a surplus of nearly $50,000 and over $150,000 in net assets. At the Hawks’ annual general meeting in September 2020, Anderson said the expectation is 2019-20 would be one of the least successful financial seasons in some time, and 2020-21 won’t be positive either.

However, Anderson said the Hawks are in good shape, as they haven’t had the same expenses without playing many games in 2020-21. He added the The Hawks’ hope is to continue with larger traditional fundraisers such as their auction in February and fishing tournament in July.

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mat.barrett@jpbg.ca & aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @matbarrett6 & @SchulzePANow