Jerome Maharaj joined the Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings during the 2023-2024 season after coming over from the Sherwood Park Crusaders in the AJHL. He would briefly leave the Red Wings to start the 2024-2025 season for 3 games with the Langley Rivermen of the BCHL before rejoining the Red Wings and establishing himself as an elite level playmaker in the SJHL and a leader, being named Assistant Captain during his final year. I joined with him to talk about his time as a Red Wing, moving around in junior hockey, and his future in hockey. You can listen to the full interview at the bottom of this article.
Dylan: OK. Just full name and what team you played for?
Jerome: Jerome Maharaj and I played on the Weyburn Red Wings
D: For yourself, you spent two seasons with the Red Wings. Kind of bounced a little bit, came back but obviously this year was pretty crazy. What was it like being on the ice wearing the winged wheel for the Red Wings?
J: It was good. I mean, I loved it last year and, you know, I went back down to Vancouver, to the BCHL for a bit and you know, I came back here and immediately I just loved it. You know, we had a great group of guys here and I was super excited to be a part of part of the team's cup run and yeah, it was super fun.
D: For sure, obviously a big part of the Red Wings. You led them in points, regular season and postseason, including 50 assists in the regular season. What was that like being the, you know, a main facilitator and a guy that, you know, everyone can look at to help generate some offense for the club?
J: Yeah, I feel like that's a big part that I bring to the team, and you know, that's just me doing my job, I guess. But yeah, I mean, when you play like the guys like Dekay and Ruthven and that, you know, put the puck in the net it’s pretty easy to get 50 assists.
D: Yeah, for sure. And so obviously, spending two seasons, you know, for myself, I've only been here this year, which was a pretty wild ride, but comparison to last season where you guys made first round playoffs lost in seven against Humboldt to this season. Maybe talk about what this community has been like to you? How have you seen the growth and the culture I guess that Weyburn’s been able to rally around this team?
J: Yeah, definitely the growth is huge. I mean from last year, you know our playoffs, the fans and the playoffs last year, you know they packed the barn, but this year it was just absolutely different. Like I didn't see a single seat when I was on the ice and yeah, it's been really cool to play here in front of like all these fans and, you know, really get that junior hockey experience and especially in the small-town Saskatchewan, it's amazing.
D: For sure, and so now you're aged out. You've committed to Toronto Metropolitan University. The TMU bold. You're going to continue heading out East. How excited are you for that opportunity to head to the 6 there and play hockey?
J: Yeah, I'm pretty excited. I mean, Toronto downtown, you know, can't get much better than that. But yeah, I'm pretty excited for next year and can't wait to start.
D: Yeah, for sure, awesome thanks Jerome.
J: Yeah, thank you Dylan