There have been so SJHL games since December. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Junior Hockey

Ice Wolves react to SJHL provincial financial aid

Jan 15, 2021 | 3:07 PM

La Ronge’s Ice Wolves board member Randy Johns was happy to learn Friday the provincial government is committing $1 million to the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL).

“We don’t know for sure exactly how much is going to come to each team,” he said. “I guess those decisions are going to be made at the league level and with the governors. For us, every little bit helps.”

It was also announced the province’s Western Hockey League (WHL) teams will be receiving $3 million with $600,000 going to each one. The support is meant to help the survival of the leagues and their teams in Saskatchewan in the face of the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Johns explained 2020 was a rough year for the Ice Wolves, noting the salaries of Head Coach Kevin Kaminski and Associate Coach Gaelan Patterson have to be paid throughout the year. He added there are other expenses involved in operating the club as well.

The Ice Wolves currently have a couple fundraisers occurring including some raffles and a Show Me The Money monthly draw. More details on those fundraisers can be found here on the team’s website.

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“We haven’t really had a revenue event since last March, which was when we were in playoffs and the lockdown happened,” Johns said. “We haven’t had a revenue event or a fully attended game since then, so its been nine months we’ve been going without very much revenue coming in at all.”

Johns mentioned sponsorship hasn’t declined too much with many deciding to continue providing contributions for the 2020-2021 season. He said a mix of sponsorship and community support has allowed the club to stay afloat.

“It’s a two-way street, and I think our community really steps up and understand what hockey means to the community,” Johns said. “That’s really what we are seeing this year.”

The provincial government continues to work with the WHL, the SJHL and other sports leagues on options for a safe return to play in the future.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno