TISDALE — A young Tisdale Trojans team took to the ice last weekend for the start of the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League regular season.
The Trojans fell 3-1 to Swift Current on opening night at the Tisdale RECplex. The next evening the Regina Pat Canadians were able to hold off the Tisdale team, 3-2. The team returns only two players form last season’s squad that went 2-1 before the campaign came to an end due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It is just the process of getting our guys the experience of playing AAA league games,” head coach Dennis Kubat said. “We had 17 guys making their debut in their first game. We lost them both, but obviously there’s lots of positives to take away. …
“Big time learning experience. I was really proud of how they played. I’m really excited to continue to work with them. … Our ceiling is really high on a lot of these guys and we’re just scratching the surface. It’s awesome as coaches to have that ability to develop these guys into the players they want to be.”
Kubat said that players are buying in and playing the way the coaching staff wants. The head coach noted that the team has, including the preseason, played five games and needs more repetitions and games.
“I’m just as excited as game one, if not more, just to see what we could be capable of – if that’s this year or down the road or next year,” Kubat said. “It’s a good group and we’ve enjoyed every second of it.”
Tisdale netminder Cody Wilson was named the home star for both games last weekend. The Archerwill product stopped 70 of the 75 shots he faced.
“That’s what we can expect from Cody game in and game out,” Kubat said. “He’s a true leader for this team.”
Unity’s Carter Ralston leads the Trojans with two goals and three points through two games. He scored Tisdale’s lone goal on opening night and had two points in the next contest.
Due to injuries and a suspension, the Trojans used four affiliated players over the weekend.
“It gives those APs a chance to step up and play,” Kubat said. “They fit right in. That line (Saturday) of Kehrig (Jaxon, from Tisdale), Hvidston (Lucas, from Tisdale), and Mucha (Ryder, from Creighton) - they did awesome for being three second year bantam players. That experience is going to help them at their level, and we were just really impressed how easily they were able to adapt to systems.”
The injuries also provide opportunities for current Trojans to take on bigger roles. Kubat said roles are not set on the team.
“It’s on them to decide how much ice time … based on how they are playing the way we want them to play,” the coach said.
On Saturday, the Trojans held a “Meet the Team” event at the RECplex parking lot. All proceeds went to the Tisdale Food Bank.
“It’s a chance to see the boys in the community and be those role models for those younger kids,” Kubat said. “It’s awesome to see when they are all playing road hockey or whatnot together.”
He noted that some players also attended high school football and volleyball contests on the weekend. Kuabt said the Trojans want to be part of the community.
The Trojans are in Estevan this weekend for two games against the Bears. Saturday will be the first regular season contest between the two teams. The Bears joined the league for the 2020-2021 season but did not take on the Trojans before the campaign was cancelled due to the
pandemic. After playing in Estevan, the Trojans’ road swing continues for two more weekends. The next home game is Oct. 23 when they host the Bears.
“Any year I love planning road trips early in the year,” Kubat said. “It’s just a way to bond. … Get away from home. Maybe there’s a little added pressure playing that first home game. Just go on the road and play free and hopefully those nerves are gone now and we know what to expect in this league.”
Skiftun Added
Last week the Trojans announced they added 15-year-old forward Jaxon Skiftun to the team. The 5-foot-10, 170-pounder had two goals and five points in six games last season for his hometown U15 AA Regina Monarchs. When asked about Skiftun, Monarchs head coach Rod Benroth first discussed the young player’s character.
“First and foremost, off the ice he’s a great kid. … He’s a good friend. He’s a leader. A great teammate. He likes to joke around in the dressing room.”
As for on the ice, Benroth praised Skiftun’s ability to score goals.
“He can bury the puck,” the coach said. “He’s got finish around the net. He’s got a great shot. … He’s a goal scorer. He just knows how to put the puck in the net.”
Bjorkdale product Cole Kehrig coached Skiftun for two seasons on the Monarchs. The assistant coach said what impressed him the most is the player’s drive to be better. Kehrig said last season Skiftun “showed great development both on and off the ice.”
The coach grew up with Kubat and said: “about six months ago, when this process began to take shape, it brought me a lot of pride to see Skiffy heading up to a play for Dennis in our old stomping grounds. He will be a great addition to the area.”
The Trojans Last Week
Regular Season
Friday, Sept. 24 in Tisdale
Swift Current 3, Tisdale 1
Trojans Scorer: Carter Ralston
Wildcats Scorers: Hudson Darby (2), Eric Hoiness
Goalies: Cody Wilson, Tisdale, 36 saves on 38 shots; Brayden Schenstead, Swift Current, 29 on 30
Notes: After a 0-0 first period, each team scored once in the second. Ralston’s goal came on the powerplay. Darby scored twice, including an empty-net marker, in the third. Tisdale was 1-for-2 with the man advantage and killed off all five of Swift Current’s powerplay opportunities. Wilson received the home star of the game. Tisdale products Jaxon Kehrig and Lucas Hvidston suited up for the Trojans as affiliated players at forward.
Regular Season
Saturday, Sept. 25 in Tisdale
Regina 3, Tisdale 2
Trojans Scorers: Pavel McKenzie, Carter Ralston
Pat Canadians Scorers: Zayden Sadlemyer, Noel Englot, Peyton Kostiuk
Goalies: Cody Wilson, Tisdale, 34 saves on 37 shots; Evan Soutar, Regina, 11 on 13
Notes: Regina led 201 after the first period and went up 3-1 in the second before Tisdale fought back to make it a 3-2 contest. Wilson was the home star for the second straight night. Ralston had two points on the night. At forward, the Tisdale duo of Jaxon Kehrig and Lucas Hvidston as well as Creighton’s Ryder Mucha served as affiliated players. With Trojans goalie Brady Kashuba called up to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Melfort Mustangs, Humboldt’s Brady Holtvogt backed up Wilson.
Exhibition
Tuesday, Sept. 21 in Warman
Warman 8, Tisdale 2
Trojans Scorers: Carter Ralston, Turner Krahn
Wildcats Scorers: Dustin Renas (2), Jayden Jessiman (2), Jeter Korte, Mason Bueckert, Jordan Normand
Goalies: Brady Kashuba, Tisdale, 31 saves on 39 shots; Alex Worthington, Warman, 14 on 14; Luke Brunen, Warman, 10 on 12
Notes: Warman led 1-0 after the first period. The Wildcats outscored the Trojans, 6-1, in the second to lead 7-2. Normand is a former Trojan.
This Week
The Trojans are in Estevan on the weekend for Saturday and Sunday contests against the Bears. The next home game for Tisdale is Oct. 23 against Estevan.
