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 has announced the coaches for the December 19th Prospects and All-Star games which will be hosted by the Battlefords North Stars. In his rookie season as a Head Coach, Kindersley's Darren Kruger will guide the Itech's finest against Notre Dame bench boss Rene Lemire and the very best of the Sherwood Conference. "It's an honor to represent the Itech Conference. I really didn't think about it at all until the ballots came out and it registered that we were the team on top. The credit has to go to the players for their performance. They are the ones that have given our staff this gracious opportunity," said Kruger. Lemire has coached one previous All-Star game and one previous Prospects game. "It's a surprise, but an honor at the same time. At the beginning of the season I didn't think we'd be in the good position that we are in. This is totally unexpected; but I have to give the boys credit. It is a real privilege." Rounding out Kruger's bench for the Itech will be assistant coach Kevin Edgerton and trainer Tanya Penner. With Lemire for Team Sherwood is assistant Michael Vandenberghe, manager Bill Gibson, and trainers Brendan Morgan and Daniel Hrycyna. Yorkton rookie Head Coach Ed Zawatsky will coach the Sherwood Conference Prospects against Nipawin Head Coach Tyler Harris and the Itech Conference Prospects. Zawatsky's Yorkton staff also consists of assistants John Kachur and Greg Vaughan as well as trainer Danny McKay. Harris and his Nipawin counterparts are assistant Dwight Kulchysky and trainer Joel Flett. The All-Star Weekend begins immediately following the December 17th game against the Melville Millionaires with a Pizza Night with the Stars. Saturday, December 18th features a Wild Goose Hockey League game between the Mid-West Islanders (formerly Ministikwin) and the Battlefords Bruins. Mid-West was the runner-up for the 2004 Allan Cup and features ten former SJHLers, including Head Coach Blaine Gusdal. The SJHL Prospects game takes place at 3 p.m. on December 19th; and that will be followed by the SJHL All-Star game. Players involved with both games are going to be made available to sign autographs.
