Almost three months into the 2024-25 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) regular season, there hasn’t been much separation in the standings.
It’s a logjam right now, with a small five-point gap between the second place Battleford North Stars and the ninth place Kindersley Klippers.
The Humboldt Broncos are in the middle of the tight race for the playoffs, with 27 points (13-9-1) and are currently tied with the Flin Flon Bombers and the La Ronge Ice Wolves for sixth place overall.
This weekend, the Broncos will have a chance to add to their point total, on Friday night they travel to Kindersley to meet the Klippers and on Saturday they host the Notre Dame Hounds.
With close parity in the SJHL, the fans of the league are treated to exciting hockey on a nightly basis according to Broncos Head Coach Brayden Klimosko.
“It’s wild, it’s crazy every given night, you’re going to see everyone’s best.”
Klimosko added, “It constantly pushes you to get better every day.”
A positive for the Broncos this season is their ability to avoid a prolonged slump, as they haven’t suffered a three-game slump this year. On the other hand, the Broncos longest winning streak has been limited to four games.
To move up the standings, Klimosko believes the team will have to provide a steadier presence.
“I think most of it is, just bringing it every night, be consistent and have a 60-minute effort.
This weekend, there will be a little bit of a void for the team off the ice, Assistant Coach Carter Hansen is away from the team as he is a part of the Canada West coaching staff as their video coach.
Connor Miller was selected to the team on Thursday night. Jacob Strizzi and Oakley McIlwain were not named to the squad.
Klimosko noted that Hansen’s is very deserving to head to Camrose as a part of the tournament, even though he will be missed behind the bench.
With Hansen away for the World Junior ‘A’ Challenge, Klimosko will have a pair of individuals to fill the role of assistant coach with the Broncos.
On Friday night, scout Cam Blair will serve as the assistant coach for Humboldt and then on Saturday, former player and Assistant Coach Rhett Blackmur will help the Broncos.
Klimosko is looking forward to having a couple of different perspectives to help him out this weekend.
“Good guys (Blair and Blackmur) that have been around the game a long time and I think the boys can learn something from both of them.”
Saturday’s game at the Elgar Petersen Arena against the Hounds will mark the team’s Teddy Bear Toss Game. Fans are encouraged to bring a new teddy bear to the game and when the Broncos score their first goal of the game, everyone will throw the bears to the ice surface.
Klimosko admitted at practice this week there was friendly chatter among the players on who will be the one to score the goal that will cause the rainfall of bears.
The teddy bears will be donated to the Humboldt Community Soup Kitchen. Klimosko says the team understands the importance of their roles as ambassadors for the community.
“We’re more than a hockey club, we want to give back, because obviously we get good fan support, we want to make sure we’re helping in all areas.”
You can catch both of the Broncos games this weekend on 107.5 Bolt FM & Discover Humboldt. Friday night’s game begins with the pregame show at 7:15, opening faceoff at 7:30.
Coverage for Saturday’s game starts at 6:45, with the puck dropping at 7:00.