Moosomin is set to become the newest hub for junior hockey in southeast Saskatchewan, as the town prepares to welcome the Steelhawks, an expansion franchise in the Prairie Junior Hockey League (PJHL).
The team is the vision of Blake Martinek and his father, who approached the town about a year ago with the idea. Mike Schwean, Moosomin’s Director of Parks and Recreation and president of the Moosomin Rangers, said the community has long been interested in hosting a junior B team.
“This is something that we've talked about with different people over probably a span of a dozen years now,” said Schwean. “The league had five teams in the South, and I know they were looking for a sixth. Moosomin just made sense—right on the No. 1 Highway.”
The name “Steelhawks” pays tribute to the town’s deep historical ties with the railway. Moosomin was the oldest incorporated town in Saskatchewan, with the CPR railway arriving in 1882 and drawing settlers to the area.
“It’s a great name,” said Schwean. “Blake and his dad came up with it to honour the railway. The logo is a hawk on a skate blade—just a beautiful design.”
Moosomin has a rich hockey history. Schwean noted that the town hosted the first indoor hockey rinks in Western Canada and claims to be the first organized hockey game in Saskatchewan.
The arrival of the Steelhawks doesn’t mean a step back for the Moosomin Rangers of the Big Six Hockey League. In fact, Schwean believes the two franchises can co-exist and thrive together.
“There’s room here for a PJHL team,” he said. “We’ve had great fan and corporate support for the Rangers, and I think the same will happen with the Steelhawks. We've already had people phoning to billet players and offer part-time jobs.”
Schwean said Martinek has already made an impression locally, attending several Rangers games this past season to connect with the community. He expects Martinek will build a competitive team right from the start.
“He’s a go-getter,” Schwean said. “He’s not the type to ice a team just to finish last.”
With more than 20 minor hockey teams already operating in town, Moosomin is no stranger to being a hockey hub. Schwean sees this expansion as a natural fit.
“This is just another gem in the hub,” he said. “It’s a great time for hockey in Moosomin.”