Reviewing strategic plans, discussing changes to league rules and league discipline & many other topics were discussed during the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s annual general meeting held last week in Nipawin. 

The event was attended by league governors, sponsors, coaches, and SJHL staff and was a great opportunity to build relationships among our partners, celebrate last year’s success, and continue to build plans for improvement for the future.

It’s always an exciting day when people from all twelve teams come together to discuss and debate different topics to make the SJHL even stronger,” said SJHL Commissioner Kyle McIntyre.

McIntyre mentioned that a primary focus was on how the league can remain innovative and relevant in the 21st-century junior hockey landscape. 

 “One key discussion was about discipline and video review, especially since a few instances during the playoffs sparked debates on these topics.

 A potential change this year is modifying the annual SJHL showcase to better highlight our league’s talent through inter and intra-league showcases.

“We are discussing with the MJHL and AJHL about hosting a Western World Junior A Showcase camp, along with our annual SJHL/MJHL Showcase in Manitoba.”

This year will also see the return of a balanced schedule where each club will play division rivals eight times and every other team four times, a change endorsed by the coaches. 

 “The coaches felt it was important to focus more on rivalry games. It also helps reduce team expenses, which is crucial for our community-owned teams, as fewer hotel stays can mean the difference between a balanced budget and a deficit,” McIntyre noted. 

 SJHL training camps are set to begin on September 5th, with the 56-game 2024/25 regular season starting on September 20th and playoffs beginning on March 21st.