The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s 12 teams are competing over four days for four points at the Showcase in Warman, an event that kicked off on Monday.
Besides the race in the standings, there is plenty more on the line for the players competing at the Showcase, with the event attracting scouts from all across North America.
In the middle of the action in Warman, the SJHL Commissioner Kyle McIntyre joined Sean Kleisinger on the Sportscage.
Through the years, the Showcase has undergone many changes, including the venue and format, but McIntyre believes the league has discovered a successful plan in Warman.
He also noted moving the Showcase to the middle of November instead of September allows the scouts to observe the teams in midseason form.
“Teams have their roster, there isn’t as much turn, lines are set.”
With Warman situated on the outskirts of Saskatoon and a short drive from the airport, McIntyre feels holding the Showcase in the small city presents the best situation.
“That was done to bring in more scouts,” said McIntyre. He added that 35 scouts from both professional and university ranks have attended the Showcase.
The Commissioner also likes bringing SJHL action to a community that doesn’t get the chance to watch Junior “A” hockey that often.
Possible expansion is always on the mind of McIntyre, but there is always a potential problem of diluting the overall talent pool.
McIntyre noted that a current SJHL team is considering relocating that communities like the Warman & Martensville area, Meadow Lake and possibly White City would be possible locations the league would consider exploring.
Along with scouts, some of the spectators that will fill the stands in Warman on Wednesday were children from the local schools. The early games of the day were expecting 1,000 fans.
Tuesday SJHL Showcase Results
Melfort 3 Notre Dame 1
Kindersley 3 Melville 2
Humboldt 7 La Ronge 0
Flin Flon 6 Estevan 1
Wednesday early Results
Melville 5 Humboldt 4
Nipawin 7 Notre Dame 5
