Growing up on a family farm near Aneroid, Sask., is where future NHL legend Patrick Marleau learned the value of hard work and responsibility. His humble beginnings started with shooting pucks against the barn and being coached by his father Denis in minor hockey. In 1995, Marleau played a crucial role in helping secure his province’s only gold medal in boys’ hockey at the Canada Winter Games with Team Saskatchewan. His goal in the final not only showcased his exceptional young…
Raised in Bladworth, Sask., Cory Sarich had a remarkable journey from a young defenceman to an accomplished NHLer with an illustrious professional career. His upbringing in Saskatchewan laid the foundation for a lasting mark on the world of hockey. In minor hockey, he honed his skills with the Saskatoon Contacts in the Saskatchewan Male Under-18 AAA Hockey League (SMAAAHL), amassing 37 points in 65 games during two productive campaigns from 1993 to 1995. Sarich was even named the top…
Travis Moen is a former professional winger whose journey from the grain belt of Canada to the pinnacle of the NHL is a testament to the enduring spirit of the sport. Hailing from a farm near Stewart Valley, Sask., he was instilled with a strong work ethic and a deep sense of responsibility at a young age. Before junior hockey, Moen played minor hockey for the Under-18 AAA Swift Current Legionnaires, where he collected 56 points in 56 games during the 1998-99 season. He then embarked with the…
Future NHLer Jack Norris emerged from the hamlet of Donovan, Sask., where his love for the game was ignited on the snow-covered outdoor rink around 1945. Inspired by hockey legend Glenn Hall, Norris ventured into goaltending by taping Eaton's catalogues to his legs for protection, embodying the resourcefulness of small-town Saskatchewan. Before professional hockey, he was asked to try out for the Saskatoon Jr. Quakers by future SHHOF inductee Doug Bentley but was instead scouted by the…
For over five decades, Tim Tisdale has had a presence in hockey, leaving an indelible mark as a survivor, hero, leader and mentor. His hockey journey began by playing the game in 1972 and evolved into shaping the sport at various levels in and around Swift Current. It was his formative years with the Western Hockey League’s Swift Current Broncos that defined him, not just as a player, but as a resilient hero. Tisdale was among the survivors of the tragic bus crash in 1986 that claimed…
Brad Meier's path to becoming a renowned NHL referee is a testament to his dedication and passion for the game. Born in Ohio, U.S., his early years were influenced by watching his father Ron play for the Dayton Gems of the International Hockey League (IHL). When he was nine years old, the Meier family returned to his parents’ home province of Saskatchewan, settling in Saskatoon. Embracing his hockey roots, Meier would excel as a player to reach the junior ‘B’ level while…
The Canada Winter Games (CWG), a showcase of the nation's young talents, witnessed an extraordinary upset in 1995 when the Team Saskatchewan Male Under-17 Program triumphed over incredible odds at the competition hosted in Grande Prairie, Alta. Team Saskatchewan started off the national tournament 2-0 defeating Nova Scotia and Manitoba. Their greatest test in the round-robin came against Team Ontario, where Saskatchewan came out with a 3-3 tie. After a convincing 9-3 win in their final…
Established in 1949, the Kyle Elks hockey club has since striven for excellence and been a source of pride for their small west-central Saskatchewan community. From 2016 to 2019, the Kyle Elks won three provincial Senior (Sr.) ‘D’ championships in four seasons – thus cementing their legacy as a dynasty. During the 2015-16 season, the Elks lost on Jan.10, 2016, and didn't lose again for the remainder, winning 23 straight games, including a sweep of the provincial…