They’re hoping for something outstanding this time around.
After years of seeing top players in the age group split onto different teams, it’s all hands on deck this season. And that has coach Shane Smith looking forward to the new campaign, whenever it may start.
“This ‘08 group is a pretty special group,” Smith said. “We had two equal Atom A teams two years ago and we ended up winning the league with one of them, you have half the kids there, and we were able to win the Regina league. So bringing everyone together, it’s definitely not going to hurt us, that’s for sure.”
The Warriors will take the ice with four returnees from last year’s squad, which put together an 11-10-4 record to finish third in the SAAHL South Sask division before falling to Yorkton in the post-season.
It isn’t often a team with that kind of turnover ends up emerging as a league leader. But given the optimism surrounding this group, that’s certainly something they hope is in the cards.
“It’s good to have some returning players who kind of got their feet wet in the league, know what the league is all about and help lead the first-year guys,” Smith said. “It’s only going to help our team be better.
“Those four had pretty productive seasons last year, and all of our ‘08s played Pee Wee A last year and put up some good numbers in that league so they should be good. Then our one 09 d-man is a smart hockey player and will contribute.”
Ryan Gibbs is the highest scoring returnee, after putting up 10 goals and 22 points to finish third in team scoring. Carter Hudyma had 11 goals and 19 points, Brodyn Pladson scored four times and racked up 14 points while defenceman Tyson Ross had a goal and three points for the Warriors.
That leadership core on top of the crew of newcomers only boosts the potential.
“We’re going to have three lines rolling all the time, so it’s going to be a pretty tough thing for other teams to match up against and we’re hoping that leads to success,” Smith said.
“It’s been a season quite a few parents have been looking forward too, whether it’s been four teams or two teams, it seems like they’ve always been getting split up and this was kind of the year, we’re finally going to get all the top ‘08 kids together, and then COVID hits.”
Ah yes, the ongoing pandemic.
Nothing has been set in stone for a return to play date, although Sask Hockey said Thursday that pre-Christmas is likely. That means a couple months of preparation, something Smith actually doesn’t mind.
“It would be great to be playing games, but the practicing is nice, too,” he said. “You can really emphasize your systems and stuff like that and your skill development before the season gets going. Normally before the season starts you get about four or five practices in and you’re into exhibition, then you get a couple more and you’re into the season. I think this season, you get a little further ahead with your systems, get them in place and being ready to go whenever that opening puck drop happens.”
Until then, sessions with the likes of high-level powerskating instructor Kim Casavant of Liane Davis Powerskating will be in the cards, and possibly games against the U13 A Warriors and U15 A Warriors if it gets to that point.
“We’ll just do whatever we can to prepare and be ready for when things get going,” Smith said.
