Terrier / Mills rivalry long-standing one

Few rivalries in sport are sharper than when Yorkton and Melville square off.

The two cities are only 45 kilometres apart on Highway 10, so fans travel freely back and forth in support of their teams, adding to the atmosphere of the game.

While the Yorkton / Melville rivalry crosses all sports, it is perhaps its keenest when the Yorkton Terriers and Melville Millionaires square off in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

It is a rivalry which stretches back to 1972 when the Terriers first entered the league, and the two teams have been going at one another hard for nearly 40-years since.

Trent Cassan, current head coach of the Terriers, and a player from 2001-04, said the fact the two cities are so close geographically factors into the intensity of the rivalry in a major way because local players are familiar with each other, and fans make the trip to support their teams in the opposition rink.

"The fact that when you play in Melville, there are a large contingent of your own fans there always make it that much more exciting," he said. "It's the same when they come here to Yorkton to play us, there are always lots of fans in the arena from both teams. The close proximity of the two communities makes for a natural rivalry."

Chad Haacke, who toiled with the Millionaires from 1999 into 2002, said the rivalry is a near birthright for local players growing up through the cities' respective minor hockey systems.

"In Yorkton you're brought up to play your hardest against Melville, and in Melville you're brought up to play your hardest against Yorkton," he said, adding success against the rival team is seen as nearly as important as making the playoffs. " If you miss the playoffs but win six against the Terriers fans say 'well at least you beat Yorkton this year."

Grant Ottenbreit was a Terrier from 1984-87, establishing a league record for penalty minutes. As a locally born Terrier he too said the rivalry is almost in the blood.

"I think what made the rivalry unique, was that the majority of players grew up through minor hockey playing one another and some of that intensity carried on from the time we were very young" he said. "Playing Melville, there was almost more of a want to pound the other team if they were below you in the standings. The better team didn't always win those contests and some of the newcomers first experiencing it may have been taken back a little by the change in style of play between playing a North Battleford and our Highway 10 neighbour."

Dion Campbell grew up in the area, and had an opportunity to experience the rivalry from both sides, having started his SJHL career in Yorkton, and ending up traded to Melville to finish out his Junior career there. He said the rivalry was something players on both sides looked forward to.

"What makes the rivalry so special to me is right when the schedule gets handed out I looked to see when I played Yorkton or when I played Melville, because you knew you were getting the best out of yourself and everyone else that night," he said. "It seemed every time we met the level of play is that more intense and there's hard hitting, which usually ends in some fights. It wasn't too often when these two teams met there weren't any fights. And the fans felt it to. They are just as excited as the players because again they know they're seeing some exciting hockey that night."

Although players born into the rivalry know it from their minor hockey days, Cassan said anybody joining either team, he is from Manitoba, learns about it very quickly.

"When players are brought in from far away, one of the first things they learn about is the rivalry between Yorkton and Melville," he said. "They realize the pride that both communities' have for their teams and their communities. Players see how much passion that the fans have for the rivalry that it certainly gives the players more motivation."

In some regards the rivalry has changed, moving from one played out with donnybrooks, to one where skill now rules it.

At least that is Ottenbreit's view.

"I think the rivalry is much less intense for a number of reasons, many of the players in our era were more local. From Esterhazy to Langenburg, Canora to Theodore and then it also seemed that each team had five-10 kids from its own minor hockey system.

"Another huge reason for the difference from then to now is the fact that now teams are much more skilled and back in the day some of the fellows played very little, just waiting for the right time to go out and renew the rivalry, if you know what I'm saying."

Cassan agreed the fisticuffs have lessened.

"I still feel that there is a very strong rivalry between the two teams, but I think with the way the games are now played and officiated, there isn't as much intimidation or after the whistle activity," he said.

The current Terrier coach did note fights have become part of the legend of the rivalry, himself recalling a couple of fights in the 2004 playoffs. "Dating back to the those playoffs series, at the beginning of most of the games Barry Sparvier from Yorkton and Derek Parker from Melville would drop the gloves right off the opening face-off and go at it. The fights would last over a minute and they both landed a lot of punches, which set the tone for the games and certainly got the crowd and players into the games right away."

But even with the fighting curbed, Cassan said the rivalry remains sharp.

"I still feel that the games between the Mills and Terriers have that extra intensity to them when compared to other opponents," he said.

Campbell said the rivalry is likely evolving but will always be there between the Mills and Terriers.

"I'm sure the rivalry has changed somewhat over the years but I haven't had a chance to watch these two teams meet since I played in the SJ" he said. "I have been playing hockey out east which makes it difficult to get to watch a few games.

"But I am sure as long as these two teams meet there will be a competitive rivalry. You have to remember it's not just the players that make the rivalry so special it's the fans as well. More people like to watch these two teams meet which means better ticket sales and more income for both organizations.

"As for the players as long as the long tradition of this rivalry is being properly passed down from the veterans I don't see it ever changing."

Haacke said the fans ultimately make the rivalry what it is.

"You can't have a rivalry without packed rinks, and that is the way it is between us," he said, adding players feed off the fans' excitement. " I can remember not sleeping nights before playing Yorkton there was so much anticipation."