Local Sports

by KELLY FRIESEN Journal editor Hometown hockey legend Brendan Witt has traded in his hockey stick for a lasso. The former NHL shutdown defenceman is enjoying his retirement on a ranch in Montana.

by KELLY FRIESEN Journal editor After 10 seasons with the SJHL club, Dean Brockman is bidding farewell to the Humboldt Broncos. He accepted an assistant coach position with the Saskatoon Blades.

It was a slow week in the NSRBL with the holiday weekend, keeping a light six-game schedule. There was one game June 25. The Flyers edged the St. Walburg Reds 9-8 in Mervin. Four games were on the schedule June 26.

Sunday is a day the Rider Nation won't soon forget. Amidst one of the worst summer storms in recent memory, the Saskatchewan Roughriders kicked off the 2014 CFL season in fine style by blowing out the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 31-10 at Mosaic Stadium.

Beavers pitcher Dave Millar had another strong outing as North Battleford downed the Unity Cardinals 4-2 Friday night at Beaver Lions Stadium. It was the final home game of the regular season for the Beavers.

Frederick Lloyd Woolley will be posthumously inducted into the Saskatchewan Baseball Hall of Fame as a player, Aug. 16 in Battleford.

by KELLY FRIESEN Journal editor Riley Kieser couldn't have finished his junior hockey career on a brighter note. He not only won a WHL championship and MasterCard Memorial Cup, but he also did it on his hometown club, the Edmonton Oil Kings.

The Lloydminster Twins stayed on top of the NSRBL standings after last week's action. Lloydminster's first action of the week was rained out June 19. They were scheduled to host the North Battleford Beavers, but the contest was rained out.

The Battlefords North Stars will begin their defence of the Kramer Division title in less than three months. At their annual general meeting Tuesday night, the North Stars released the dates of their first regular season games.

by KELLY FRIESEN Journal editor Roughly 30 years after he hung up his skates, Ralph Klassen remains a legend in St. Gertrude. The community is set to pay tribute to the former local NHL player on June 28 at the St. Gertrude Hall.