By Derek Cornet

Local AAA hockey players to skate in front of home crowd Saturday

Jan 17, 2019 | 4:00 PM

It will be a special opportunity for three athletes from La Ronge to play the sport they love in front of family and friends at the Jonas Roberts Memorial Community Centre (JRMCC) this weekend.

The Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League’s Beardy’s Blackhawks and Saskatoon Comets will face off at the facility Jan. 19 at 2:30 p.m. The neutral site match is one of two for the Blackhawks, whose roster includes La Ronge’s Cobe Delaney, Parker Layton and Chase Vancoughnett-Lafleur. According to the team’s General Manager Mel Parenteau, spectators will be treated to high-caliber hockey.

“It’s going to be fabulous because it’s going to be a fast game,” he said. “It’s that time of year where everybody is getting ready for the playoffs. This game we’re going to be playing, we’ll be fighting for fifth place. The Contacts are one point ahead us right now, so hopefully can get two points and get ahead of them.”

This neutral site match is the third time the hockey league has held such an event in the tri-communities with the first being in the mid-2000s against the Prince Albert Mintos at the Mel Hegland Uniplex. Last year, the Blackhawks faced off against the Battlefords Stars at the JRMCC and Parenteau noted the league holds such events to promote ‘AAA’ hockey in northern Saskatchewan.

Parenteau mentioned members of the La Ronge Ice Wolves’ board of directors will be meeting with players with the Blackhawks as there are currently seven prospects on the team. He also said the three local players on the squad have been doing well and he’s excited to see them perform in front of a home crowd.

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“Hopefully, the odd one will get a goal on Saturday,” Parenteau said.

JRMCC Director of Sports and Recreation Kevin Roberts is also looking forward to hosting the two ‘AAA’ teams. He said some of the Ice Wolves will be there to meet the players as well, along with help to serve a meal. Roberts noted JRMCC will offer fried fish, moose meat and bannock, adding it’s important to show guests what northern hospitality is all about. For those wanting to attend, admission to the game for adults is $5.

“Hearing the buzz out there, it sounds like a lot of family and friends of the three local boys will be coming out,” he said.

Meanwhile, JRMCC will also be hosting the Saskatchewan Hockey Association’s Bantam ‘B’ Provincial Playoffs. The match between the Ice Wolves and Nipawin Hawks begins Jan. 20 at 4 p.m. Admission to that event is $5 for those 12 years of age and older.
 

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno