The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association partnered in the inaugural Sask- First SJHL Midget Summer Camp, held July 21-23 in Wilcox, SK. This Sask-First event is a three day camp that brings in talent that is not currently playing at the 'AAA' Midget level. "The SJHL is pleased to sponsor and supply the coaching and training staff for the program. These are quality athletes who are seeking opportunities to further their development and the camp highlights this effort. We are pleased to be part of the Sask-First program." states league president, Laury Ryan. In all, 64-players (four teams) were involved. While run by the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, it was exclusively staffed by eight present SJHL coaches conducting practices, running drills, performing usual 'behind the bench duties during scrimmages, and spending quality time with the prospects. In short, these players had a tremendous opportunity to experience SJHL exposure to see what it is like in a junior 'A' atmosphere. Of the 64 players, roughly half were already listed with SJHL teams. More were added to various SJHL protected lists one day after the event was over, and a majority of the remaining players will receive an invite to an SJHL training camp. While a future in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is possible for some of these players, preparation for a future in Midget 'AAA' or junior 'B' is also one of the objectives of this weekend. This year's crop also featured 32 players ready to graduate into the junior ranks and 32 players who will return for another season of midget. Nipawin head coach Hardy Sauter was one of the SJHL instructors. "The idea for something like this is very good," Sauter said. "I think a lot of these players will have a real good chance at the junior level. "I think with word getting out about the caliber of weekend that we had, the talent pool will just continue to get better. Within the next two or three years, I could really see this being a highlight for midget players who are not already identified at the 'AAA' Midget level," added Sauter. "In Saskatchewan, we are fortunate to have a place like Notre Dame that can host this sort of event. The people involved in the hosting end did a tremendous job of organization," said Sauter. Weyburn's Dwight McMillan has been around the hockey wars for decades and he couldn't stop raving about the Sask-First event. "I thought it was outstanding. It was a great thing that is only going to get better. There were some kids there that were not listed, but we knew about. We really got to see what they could do and some of them went on lists pretty quick," said McMillan. One example is Michael Seib, a Saskatoon product who was the object of affection by five SJHL teams following the weekend. In the end, the Flin Flon Bombers ended up with his list rights. "At the other end of the spectrum, there were plenty of listed players there and it gave us (SJHL coaches) an opportunity to see if we have the right guys listed," added McMillan. The list of 64 is determined through midget zone camps. This past season, those camps played out through the Saskatchewan Winter Games, held in Melfort. The 2007 SHA Sask-First SJHL Midget Summer Camp will see eight zone camps take place prior to Christmas 2006. Those teams will play a tournament in Regina in the spring of 2007 and from that event; the group of 160-plus players will be dwindled to those selected for this prestigious summer evaluation. "I think what can't be stressed enough for players, is that the zone camps are extremely important. If you don't go to the zone camp, you can't get to Notre Dame for the Sask-First Midget Summer Camp. What we hope is that kids go home and get excited about this. Then, if a few of them end up making teams then our zone camps will continue to get better each year because the players will get the message that this is the only way to get picked," said McMillan.2/8/06
