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.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer The SJHL will see a new format in the 2013-14 season as three divisions replace the two conferences. The SJHL board of governors decided at their recent semi-annual meeting to create three divisions in hopes of generating more interest in the league. 'It will spur some interest. We anticipate more competition for different playoff spots,' said Dan Reagan, governor of the Flin Flon Bombers. The move toward three divisions of four teams each will mean three first-place teams instead of two. 'It will be a higher level of competition and more interesting,' Reagan said. Beginning next season, the Bombers will be grouped with the La Ronge Ice Wolves, Melfort Mustangs and Nipawin Hawks. In another division, the Battlefords North Stars, Kindersley Klippers, Humboldt Broncos and Notre Dame Hounds will compete. The third division will have the Estevan Bruins, Weyburn Red Wings, Melville Millionaires and Yorkton Terriers. '...every game will have meaning during the regular season,' read an SJHL media release. 'Playing teams outside of your division will be just as important as playing teams in your division.' During the regular season, Reagan says teams will compete both with the clubs in their division as well as those in the other two. 'I think it will be more competitive throughout the season and the league,' said the governor. On board with the idea, Reagan says there will be plenty of opportunities for the Bombers to face 'natural rivals' like the Ice Wolves and Mustangs. Currently, the Bombers sit second to the Humboldt Broncos in the Bauer Conference. Being in separate divisions next year, the Bombers and Broncos will still have plenty of chances to face off against each other. 'This won't really change much for Flin Flon,' said Reagan. Though the divisions will be different, the amount of travel will be similar to seasons past. The SJHL schedule has not yet been completed for the 2013-14 season, but Reagan says there won't be too much change. '...maybe a few more (games) against those in your division,' he said, noting that the total number of games played should remain the same. 'We might lose a game against Humboldt or Battlefords, but we'll gain a game against La Ronge and Melfort.' Division Winner titles will go to the top team in each division at the end of the regular season, and they will be seeded first, second and third for the playoffs. Fourth, fifth and sixth places will go to those finishing second in each division. The teams with the next most points will be seeded seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth. Teams seven and 10 and teams eight and nine will compete in wild card series. The winners of those two best-of-five series will move onto the next round of playoffs. The new format for the SJHL borrows from the NHL as well as other leagues across Canada. Reagan says it's key for both fans and players to remember that 'every game matters' in the upcoming season. This year, a game against the Estevan Bruins, for instance, may not have as much meaning as a game against a conference rival. This past season has seen a drop in ticket sales not only at the Whitney Forum and the 11 other arenas in the SJHL, but across Canada as well. '...ticket sales and attendance (have) gone down everywhere,' Reagan said. 'We're looking at ways we can energize and get people into the arena.' Going to the three-division format is a move the governors hope will achieve that goal. 'Yes, the town is smaller,' said Reagan, referring to Flin Flon, 'but there are a lot of other things in play.' With a PVR a common household amenity, it's now easy for someone to watch four or five NHL games in one night. 'We're in competition with (televised) games. We're in real competition and it's real difficult,' Reagan said. Now what began as an idea in general discussion among league coaches and governors will change the SJHL for seasons to come. 'Everything is always a trial, I suppose, but I think it will stay,' Reagan said.
