The puck drops tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Mel Hegland Uniplex. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

SJHL

Ice Wolves begin regular season without head coach on the bench

Sep 16, 2022 | 4:55 PM

The La Ronge Ice Wolves will start their season tonight, but without the services of head coach and general manager Kevin Kaminski.

In fact, the Ice Wolves will be without Kaminski for their first 10 games of the season. The news was shared in a press release just hours before the start of the home opener against the Nipawin Hawks at 7:30 p.m. at the Mel Hegland Uniplex.

The release states the suspension is the result of reports received by the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) after the final playoff game last season which occurred March 27. The Ice Wolves appealed the decision, but it has yet to be finalized.

“There was some incident after the final game last year,” board member Randy Johns said. “The SJHL has chosen to put out a suspension in that. We’ve appealed that and we are still waiting to hear the results of the appeal. Until the results on the appeal come down, we’re going to comply with the suspension.”

That means assistant coach Kyle Schneider will be leading the bench tonight and for the next 10 games. Johns explained he is very capable and the board is confident the bench is in good hands.

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“The incident with Kevin really has nothing to do with the season, so I really don’t want to focus on that,” Johns said. “I really don’t think that should be anybody’s focus. We want to look forward to a really good season here and celebrate we are back on the ice and we are able to get into the season here.”

Home opener festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. with a burger and hotdog sale in the curling rink. It will be followed by happy hour in the Wolves Den at 6:30 p.m. and the game will start at 7:30 p.m.

Just prior to puck drop, there will be a short opening ceremony to introduce the new and veteran players to fans.

Coming out of preseason with four losses and one win, Johns believes that record won’t continue into the regular season.

“The preseason really doesn’t have anything to do with the regular season,” he said. “In the preseason, the coaches are looking at different players to see who is going to make the team and who isn’t. I don’t really think the preseason record will have any effect on this season.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno