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 held its 41st Annual General Meeting over the weekend in Nipawin and the main focus was setting up the 2010-11 season. The highlights include the SJHL playing under the Junior 'A' Supplement, which provides the ability for the SJHL to adhere to its own set of rules and standards when it comes to supplementary discipline. In short, the SJHL will play under NHL rules, which include no line changing on icing for the offending team, face-off locations, coincidental penalties, and no ejection for a first fight. In addition, the SJHL will participate in a Hockey Canada pilot project, called "Best Practices." which will further evaluate violence and bullying in Junior 'A' hockey. Further information will be released explaining in greater detail the "Best Practices" philosophy. Kevin Moulds, who served as SJHL Chairman Of The Board for 14 years, is now the Outgoing Chairman. Moulds was presented with a thank-you gift at this weekend's event. His replacement will be Rick Shultz of Prince Albert. The league also announced the remainder of its leadership group for 2010-11: Stew Demmans (Battlefords) is the Vice-Chair; Management Committee members are Lee Dufort (Humboldt), James Arsenie (Melfort), and Ken Fergusson (Weyburn). The Marketing Committee will be headed by Larry Wells (Yorkton). The Competition Committee spearheaded by Dan Reagan (Flin Flon), and Scholarship Committee by Darcy Gettel (Melville). This group will work alongside SJHL President Laury Ryan and league staff to ensure the SJHL remains a prominent Junior 'A' League in Canada. It was also noted the SJHL is benefiting from a building boom in Saskatchewan as new arenas are going up in Estevan and Melville. Major renovations are being done in Weyburn, Humboldt, and Nipawin. Kindersley is also in the process of a re-fit in wake of the January fire. Meanwhile, training camps will open on September 3 with exhibition games to take place from September 5-15. The regular season starts on September 17 with a home and home series planned where possible. Due to several teams undergoing renovations, arena availability could be in question. The SJHL regular season schedule will be released in the coming days. Overall, the regular season will be 58 games with teams playing 28 home, 28 away, and two at the Showcase. Bauer vs Sherwood teams will play a double home and home, rivals play each other eight times, and other divisional foes will meet up six times. Other important dates on the calendar this year include: SJHL Hall Of Fame Weekend from November 26-28 in Humboldt. Showcase hosted by Weyburn December 3-5. Christmas Break is December 20-28. Regular season concludes February 23. Playoffs begin February 25. There is no SJHL All-Star Game. Banner presentations on opening night will focus on the La Ronge Ice Wolves, who get the Bauer Division Champions banner as well as the Credit Union Cup Champion banner, and RBC Cup semi-finalist banner. Weyburn (Sherwood Division Pennant), Flin Flon (Bauer Division Pennant), and Yorkton (Sherwood Division Champions) will also hoist banners into the rafters on home opening night.
