SHAUNAVON — The South Prairie Silverbacks hockey program, founded by Jordan Brisebois in 2017, has been dedicated to helping youth improve their skills while also becoming better people.
Since its inception, the program has grown in size and structure, expanding to include three separate streams of development under its name.
The first stream is the "Carded" program, which is comprised of two age groups: U9 (ages 7-8) and U11 (ages 9-10).
These teams, similar to rep teams, operate from December to March each year, drawing kids from within an 80-kilometre radius of Ponteix, including areas such as Ponteix, Eastend, Shaunavon and Gravelbourg. The overall program operates out of Gravelbourg where the Brisebois family currently reside.
One of the highlights of the year is the "Frozen Jungle" tournament, held using rinks in both Gull Lake and Shaunavon in mid-December.
Teams from across Saskatchewan take part in the tournament, with 6 teams registered for the U9 division this year and usually between 8 and 10 teams in the U11 division.
What sets the fall Carded program apart is that it is entirely funded through the tournament, meaning kids do not have to pay any fees to participate.
In addition to the Carded program, the South Prairie Silverbacks also offer a Spring hockey program, which has a cost associated with it. This program consists of six teams from all over southwest Saskatchewan, with 15 kids per team. Tryouts take place at Christmas, and kids come from anywhere in the southwest, with some participants from as far away as Leader and Coronach.
The third initiative is a private hockey development program, which ranges from private coaching to a "breakfast" morning skill development program.
Along with developing hockey skills, all three programs focus on life skills and community involvement, teaching kids to "do the right things" and to "value the team" aspect of sport.
The programs also prioritize mental health, recognizing its importance in the development of young athletes.
Jordan, along with his wife Desiree, brother Travis and his wife Candace, and a dedicated group of helpers, are committed to helping the kids leave the program as "better human beings."
To learn more about the South Prairie Silverbacks, call 1-306-648-5337, visit their social media pages on Facebook or Instagram (@spsilverbacks), or email them at [email protected].
