The annual Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) president's tour came to Yorkton Tuesday as SJHL president Laury Ryan outlined some of the tour aims.
Ryan brought with him the league championship Credit Union Cup, which was on display at the Cornerstone Credit Union and at the Gallagher Centre during Tuesday's Terrier home game with the visiting Kindersley Klippers to promote the league and the final season run to the playoffs.
The tour also expresses the league's appreciation of the corporate support it receives around the province. In addition to the Credit Unions, Ryan points out there are more than 10 corporate partners who help to make things work for the SJHL. "The message for us to the entire province is we couldn't do it without you," he sums up.
Ryan announces that this year's SJHL Ultimate Fan contest is offering an all expense paid trip, including airfare, to Europe. The SJHL has partnered with Contiki Holidays and CAA Travel to offer an 11 day trip to eight top European travel destinations. Fans can enter at any of the President's Tour games or online at www.sjhl.ca. Secondary prizes include an SJHL Award jersey, a 2010-11 playoff pass and a 2011-12 President's pass.
Finally the tour identified the three local players named as finalists in the SJHL top player categories. Devin Peters was named as the top player finalist, Blaine Tendler was introduced as the top defenceman finalist and Zak Majkowski was was selected as a top rookie finalist.
Cornerstone Credit Union CEO Kevin Lukey, speaking on behalf of Saskatchewan Credit Unions, expressed their pride at sponsoring the league's championship trophy. He wished all teams in the league a good playoff run at the league title. He thanked Ryan and the league for making Yorkton the first stop on the president's tour. Finally, Lukey thanked Terrier head coach Trent Cassan and Terrier GM Don Chesney for putting an exciting brand of hockey on the ice. "I would encourage all fans in the Yorkton area to actually come out and support the Terriers. You won't be disappointed with the brand of exciting hockey that they're playing," Lukey closes.
Mike Stackhouse, speaking for Source Embroidery, President's Tour sponsor, says the business's support of the SJHL extends well beyond the basic logo printing. Much of the SJHL corporate branding including league wide ice logos, league wide rink boards, and the key chain handed out at the Terrier game Tuesday were all done by Source Embroidery. "We're very proud to work with the SAJHL and provide a service to them that they feel is very valuable in order to get their branding out there," Stackhouse states.
Terrier president Lyle Walsh expresses his appreciation for all league sponsors and especially the local sponsors who provide the Terriers with a lot of the income necessary to make the team go. The recent trade deadline created an exciting time for the Terriers. "Our guys were very fortunate to pick up some extra players who will boost our hockey team, we think," Walsh says. The final run toward playoff time should be exciting and fans should see some entertaining hockey. "I just know the Terriers are going to do everything they can to keep everything going," he suggests.
Terrier GM Don Chesney recalls he broke into the SJHL in 1970. He's been a player, assistant coach, coach and now a general manager. Her expressed his appreciation to the Credit Union and the league for their co-operation and support which he believes is essential.
Terrier head coach Trent Cassan congratulated the three top player finalists. He believes the Terriers put a good product onto the ice. He declares that the second half of the season on the way to the playoff run will be exciting. "There are a lot of teams in competition to win this trophy (the Credit Union Cup) and we fell we're one of them," he states.
