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The Ice Wolves are currently sitting at ninth place in the SJHL. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)
junior hockey

Three Ice Wolves prepare for upcoming MJHL/SJHL Showcase

Jan 24, 2025 | 4:00 PM

Three members of the La Ronge Ice Wolves are headed to Winnipeg next week for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League/Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League Showcase.

Forward Taite Donkin and defenceman Nathan De Silva will play on Team Blue, while defenceman Rylan Silzer was selected for Team Gold.

The annual showcase, which occurs Jan. 27 to 29, welcomes 60 elite players from each league with three teams from each league being formed to compete against each other during the event. One team will consist of players 18 and under, while the other will consist of players 20 and under.

Ice Wolves Head Coach Kevin Kaminski explained it’s a well-deserved opportunity for all three players to make the all-star team.

“Ryan Silzer is in his third year. He’s a 20-year-old and he’s having a heck of a year on the blue line. He’s not only putting up good numbers, but he’s a great leader,” Kaminki remarked.

“He kills penalties and blocks a lot of shots. He’s our leader back there and he gets all kinds of ice time, and it is good to see him make the all-star team.”

Kaminski noted De Silva and Donkin also had a good season so far.

“Taite … [is] one of our leading scorers as a rookie. His future looks bright. He’s got a great hockey sense and makes plays and he has the knack to score goals as well. He’s only going to get better as he gets bigger, faster and stronger throughout the years,” Kaminski said.

“Nat Da Silva, he’s a smooth skating young defenceman. He puts up good numbers and very good one-on-one and good puck decisions. He kills penalties too and he’s put up good numbers as a rookie as a defenceman.”

Before the showcase next week, the Ice Wolves are on the road to face off against the Melfort Mustangs this evening. The Mustangs (31-5) are the top team in league at the moment with the Ice Wolves currently sitting in ninth (18-22).

“We need all 20 guys here tonight pulling on the same rope and the same direction, and we got to find a way to get two points before a week off,” Kaminski added.

“We’re in a position where we have to play with desperation and urgency in every shift. It’s a good team over there. When we play a solid 60 minutes, we are a very good team too, we just can afford any lapses or mental errors.”

derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com