Barrett Smith was lightning quick on the field for the Humboldt Collegiate Institue (HCI) Mohawks football team over the last four years.
Now he will have the chance to be a member of the Thunder in the Queen City.
During the Christmas holidays, Smith received a special gift, signing a commitment to Regina Thunder for the 2025 season.
The wide receiver said after initial contact with Thunder’s recruiting coordinator and then the team’s head coach Scott MacAulay, Smith was invited to Regina for a firsthand look at the Thunder program.
“Got to tour all their facilities and got some on turf time with them and they offered me to sign,” said Smith.
Even though he was impressed with the Thunder’s presentation, Smith didn’t immediately sign with the Thunder, but when MacAulay paid a visit to Humboldt during the Christmas holidays, the former Mohawk put pen to paper on an agreement for the upcoming season.
Competing in the Prairie Football Conference (PFC), the Thunder have emerged as one top junior football programs in the country and developed a competitive rivalry against the Saskatoon Hilltops. Recent achievements for the Thunder include a pair of PFC Championships in 2022 & 2024.
A winning environment and a chance to make an early contribution to the Thunder’s success were the motivating factors for Smith to make a commitment to Regina.
“I liked how they did things, and I like Coach MacAulay and their staff, but they're going to be a really competitive team, and I'll get to play earlier on.”
Players haven’t been the only significant addition for the Thunder this offseason, recently former Thunder receiver Chris Getzlaf has agreed to join the team’s coaching staff as an offensive assistant. Smith is looking forward to working with the former Saskatchewan Roughrider.
“I was one of the people to know about it when I was down in Regina,” explained Smith, “sweeten the deal, cause that is a crazy mind on your team, but I think he’ll have a lot to offer to the Thunder.”
Even with the agreement in place for next year, the work is just beginning for Smith. Even though he’s still living Humboldt, he’s doing virtual training with the team before heading to Regina on the 18th to participate in the team’s first winter camp.
Smith is faced with several adjustments as he transitions from 9-man to 12-man football, including a slight position shift, as he moves inside from wide receiver to slotback. He also noted the junior football playbook is more extensive than the one used by the Mohawks.
“It looks more complex that’s for sure, there’s names for everything. In 9-man our playbooks are pretty simple.”
Along with preparing himself to become a member of the Thunder, a couple of all-star games in the spring are on Smith’s radar, the Senior Bowl along with the Nine Man Challenge Cup.
Reflecting on his time on the gridiron in Humboldt, Smith has nothing but great memories.
“All four years at HCI being a Mohawk, were all positive, I learned a lot. They have good coaches there and it’s more like a family, everyone’s close,” Smith noted, “I enjoyed every minute of it. I’ll miss it.”