After a long hockey season, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Nipawin Hawks got the opportunity to enjoy the summer as they turned their attention to the start of the new hockey season.
Heading into the off-season, Doug Johnson, the head coach and general manager, noted that they did not have much of a plan because they felt comfortable with who they were bringing back and said they focused mostly on recruiting.
“We wanted to make sure that we got the recruits that we wanted. We think we did a pretty good job of that and then make sure that everybody comes back,” he said. “We really like what we have, we like our recruits, so basically our job is kind of over now until the kids come in.”
Upon completion of the June 1 SJHL Bantam Draft, the Hawks enjoyed a quiet off-season on the trade front as they made just a single move trading for 19-year-old defenseman Tristan Petrie from the Lloydminster Bobcats for a player development fee.
Petrie had been a player on the Hawks’ radar for over a year, noted Johnson, who said they were trying to recruit him to come play in Nipawin last season, before Petrie ultimately decided to remain at home.
“When we heard that he was available we wanted to make the trade because the left side on the back end is one of our weaknesses, it’s an area we don’t have a lot of depth. So being able to get a guy that we knew and had recruited and had talked to for a very reasonable price, it was a no-brainer on our end.”
On the ice, Johnson said he provides both size and the ability to move the puck, and adds that he has great character and comes from a great family.
“He’s very pleasant to talk to, heard great things about him, he comes from a winner. His midget team won the Alberta championship so he knows what it takes to get to that next level.”
Heading into training camp, the Hawks will find themselves with a number of available roster spots, as they graduated seven players from last year’s club, saw Tanner Thompson move back to Kindersley to complete the Josh Bly trade, and saw Grant Baetsen move on to the North American Hockey League.
The Hawks also will not see Michael Maple return to the club this season, and will face some uncertainty regarding what happens with potential Western Hockey League players, like Brandan Arnold.
With so many roster spots open, Johnson said this year’s camp will be different from other years, and said he expects it will be competitive, not only for new players but also for the returning players as well, as they better have worked hard over the summer.
“Three years in a row, losing out in the semifinals, it leaves a fire burning in your belly and not a great taste in your mouth. It is going to be competitive and it’s going to be a little different of a camp than we’ve had in the past. We are looking forward to it.”
Despite having a number of roster spots available, Johnson said he likes where his team is at and said the Hawks have a great core of players, who will be expected to lead the team.
“The young guys like Kenzie Arnold and Josh McDougall, Daven Smith, we expect huge things from. Some of the older guys like Brett Harasymuk and Michael Grant need to be the best players on the ice night in, night out.”
Having been through the rigors of a SJHL season and then on a run to the SJHL semifinals, Johnson said that should help those players as they transition into leadership roles.
“They better realize first what it takes to win and be a little upset that they didn’t have a bigger role and be ready for that extended role.”
The Hawks return to the ice with a busy pre-season as they play six games in eight days, starting Sept. 2 when they welcome the Flin Flon Bombers to the Centennial Arena.
