CARLYLE - It was a special night for the Carlyle Cougars and the Holt family during the Cougars' 7-3 win over the Kipling-Windthorst Oil Kings on Friday night.
Fifty-one-year-old Todd Holt skated on a line with his sons Kaelan and Taysen. The trio combined on the Cougars' fifth goal, scored by Taysen and assisted by Todd and Kaelen. Todd and Kaelan Holt each finished with two assists, while Taysen had a goal and a helper.
Todd Holt was a star forward for the Western Hockey League's Swift Current Broncos from 1989-1994, and remains the team's all-time leading scorer. He was selected by the San Jose Sharks in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft, played pro hockey in North America and Europe, and upon returning to North America, played in the Big Six and led the league in scoring.
His sons have been in the league for several years and are in their first season playing with the Cougars.
Todd Holt said after the game he was "incredibly grateful" to the Cougars and everyone who gave him the "great honour" of playing with his sons.
"I am always telling young players or people I know to live in the moment and cherish what you’re going through. Well I took my own advice and I had the day of my life," he said.
When he arrived at the rink and met all the Carlyle players, he felt like he was 16 again, and it was great to be on the ice with them.
"Getting a feel for the ice again, alongside my boys, was nerve-wracking. I know I am nowhere near the player I was but like any father I didn’t want to embarrass them or let them down. We were on the starting lineup and as many times as I heard my name announced, it had a different ring to it hearing it announced after No. 74 Kaelan Holt and No. 43 Taysen Holt."
Being in on a goal with his two sons is a scenario he has played out in his mind "a million times since they were children", he said. They embraced on the bench after the goal was announced and the players were very respectful.
Ben Johnstone scored three times and added two assists for Carlyle. Josh Romanyk, Adrien Riddell and Riley Niven also scored. Landon Audet was in goal.
Taylor Hoedel was in on all three Oil Kings' goals with two goals and an assist. Drew Czerwonka also scored. Dylan Dedecker was their goalie.
Also on Friday night, the Oxbow Huskies edged the Carnduff Red Devils 3-2. Colton Schell scored twice for Oxbow, including the game-winning goal with 56 seconds to play in the third. Liam Rutten also scored.
Ty Stovin and Ben Hiltz scored for Carnduff.
Zack Miller (Oxbow) and Cody Dumaine (Carnduff) were the goalies.
Three games were played Saturday, including the Redvers Rockets beating the Cougars 4-3.
Presten Kopeck had two goals for Redvers, and Kenton Miller and Naton Miller also scored. Thomas Bauche was the Redvers netminder.
Romanyk scored twice for Carlyle and Brett Turgeon also scored. Curtis Meger was in goal.
Carnduff knocked off the Midale Mustangs 7-1. Cooper Bowman had two goals and an assist for Carnduff, while Strahn Douglas and Nico Anderson each had three helpers. Stovin, Hiltz, Brandon Trask and Matthew Plews also scored. Mason Plews was in goal.
Tate Kasick scored for Midale. Carver Ottenbreit was their goalie.
The game was the Red Devils' annual Teddy Bear Toss contest. Fans tossed bears on the ice after the Red Devils' first goal. The bears will be donated to the Carnduff and Area Santa Cause.
All students at the Carnduff Education Complex received a free ticket to the game courtesy of the Carnduff Rec Board.
In Saturday's other game, the Moosomin Rangers defeated the Wawota Flyers 6-2.
Jody Boutin, Dustin Fisher, Ryker Cole, Carter Sawchuk, Phil Fath and Taylor Sanheim scored for Moosomin.
Devin Stewart Nico Muskego had Wawota's goals.
Kyler Beckett (Moosomin) and Jayden Hodson (Wawota) were in goal.
Wawota is at Redvers on Dec. 18 at 8 p.m.
Two games are set for Dec. 20: Carnduff and Redvers and Oxbow at Moosomin. Those games will start at 8 p.m. The following night, Carnduff is at Oxbow, Midale is at Carlyle and Kipling-Windthorst is at Wawota, with all games starting at 7 p.m.
