Although the Battlefords North Stars' season ended a month ago there has still been a lot of action in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
The Credit Union Cup final will take just two more wins for either the La Ronge Ice Wolves or the Yorkton Terriers, as the Terriers tied the series 2-2 Wednesday night with a 4-3 overtime win.
Game five will go in La Ronge Friday night with Game six back in Yorkton Sunday and if necessary game seven is scheduled for Tuesday in La Ronge.
Ice Wolves goalie Adam Bartko, a Battlefords product and former North Star, has once again been the backbone of the Ice Wolves playoff run. Bartko has played all 840 minutes in the Ice Wolves' net and holds a 10-3 record with a .9119 save percentage and 2.50 goals against average.
The Terriers also have a player on their roster with a Battlefords connection. Justin Lamontagne, a former Battlefords Midget Star, has played eight playoff games with the Terriers. Lamontagne, the Wawota product joined the Terriers once graduating from the Stars following the 2008-09 season.
Other news arising from the SJHL is that league president Laury Ryan has stepped down after eight years of service.
During Ryan's term, the SJHL has developed into what is know to many as one the top junior A hockey leagues in Canada. The league has seen many developments including the creation of the World Junior A challenge which allowed junior A players and coaches to represent Canada for the first time in history.
The establishment of the SJHL Hall of Fame, which will see its third induction 小蓝视频 this year, was also developed under Ryan's leadership.
The Saskatchewan Development Model, which co-ordinates elite hockey in Saskatchewan and the Junior A Supplement, that is a partnership with Hockey Canada and four other Junior A leagues is also another major achievement for Ryan.
?"It has been an honour to represent the league on behalf of so many great individuals who work tirelessly in their respective communities to make their franchises viable and successful," stated Ryan. "Any and all the good things that were achieved are a testament to their efforts. It has been an honour to serve as president of the SJHL."
