Kaminski Arena is the new name of the local rink in Churchbridge. (La Ronge Ice Wolves Hockey Club/Facebook)

By Derek Cornet

giving thanks

Churchbridge arena renamed in honour of Ice Wolves Coach Kevin Kaminski

Oct 22, 2019 | 4:28 PM

To serve as a way to thank him for everything he’s done, arena officials in Churchbridge have decided to change the name of their local ice rink to Kaminski Arena.

“He’s been an inspiration for generations,” Arena President Carter Prier said about La Ronge Ice Wolves Head Coach Kevin Kaminski. “Right from the people his age to right now to the beginners here. People look up to him, everyone respects him and he’s just an astounding guy.”

On Oct. 21, the Ice Wolves were in Churchbridge for a neutral site game against the Yorkton Terriers when the new name for the rink was revealed. The facility was previously known as the Churchbridge and Community Centennial Arena and it was renamed to thank Kaminski for all the support he’s provide to local groups and committees.

Kaminski was born and raised in the small town, which is located southeast of Yorkton and has a population of nearly 900 residents. For 23 years, he’s hosted the Killer Klassic Charity Golf Tournament and has raised more than $420,000 to assist in the betterment of the community.

“He’s doesn’t have to do it, but he keeps coming back every year and he keeps raising more and more and more money,” Prier said. “All the groups and everyone in town really appreciates him. He’s one fine gentlemen. He’s just a damn good guy.”

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Kaminski stated he keeps going back to Churchbridge because he considers it his hometown and it’s special to him. He said when the new name was revealed to him, it was a special moment and one he will never forget.

“That was pretty awesome. It was pretty special night,” Kaminski said. “I had no clue as to what was going on and when they revealed it, it was crazy. I teared up; tears filled with joy.”

Ice Wolves climbing the SJHL ladder

The Ice Wolves are also having more success than previous years and are currently ranked sixth (tied with the Humboldt Broncos) out of 12 teams in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League. With 17 games played, they have 16 points with seven wins, eight loses and two overtime loses.

The team has three games on the road coming up next and play the Kindersley Klippers on Oct. 23, before back-to-back games against the Battlefords North Stars on Oct. 25 and 26.

“We have to go in there with the mindset that we have to be road warriors and we got to take care of business,” Kaminski said. “If you lose one or two games, then you’re out of the standings. We have to keep climbing the ladder and keep getting those wins as often as we can.”

The Ice Wolves play again at La Ronge’s Mel Hegland Arena on Nov. 1 when they will face-off against the Melville Millionaires. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno