CANORA – With consistent numbers of players registered and six teams playing out of Canora, President Stacy Vangen said the Canora Minor Hockey Association “was very happy with this past season. It's been encouraging to see sustained numbers of players over the past five years.”
The CMHA held its annual awards night at the Canora Curling Rink on April 18.
Sherri Roebuck, a long-time volunteer, was named the winner of the Jerry Mydonick volunteer award. Roebuck has spent the last several years serving as CMHA Registrar.
Graduates
Graduating U18 Cobras players are: Cody Vangen, Logan Sznerch, Colton Bletsky, Devon Paley, Cooper Kraynick and Kayden Harder of Canora; Linden Roebuck of Buchanan, Bracyn Konkel and Avyn Seerey of Sturgis, and Ayden Lukey of Norquay.
U7
The U7 Cobras, under head coach Dayne Babchishin, had an exciting year filled with game and tournament play.
“A change we saw this year is the team was made up of all male players,” said Vangen. “We received feedback during the Adam Harold camp about how this was the strongest group of U7 skaters the instructors had ever seen.”
The Jerry Mydonick Heart & Hustle Award winner was Emmett Toffan. Other award winners were Lakken Baillie (most improved), Shiandro Danyluk (most dedicated) and Weston Gogol (team spirit).
U9
The head coach for the U9 Cobras was Parker Rice.
“We've continued to have strong registration in this age group,” said Vangen. “This group has focused on developing forwards, defence and goaltenders. They had eight players try the goal position and about four of them continue to try it. We recognize the importance of growing goaltenders to have growth and continue to have teams in our community.”
Award winners were: Noah Galli (Jerry Mydonick award), Owen Kozmanuik (most dedicated), Wyatt Owchar (most improved) and Lachlan Baillie (team spirit).
U11
The U11 Cobras followed the leadership of Head Coach Dustin Kortmeyer.
“This was a small team in numbers but they were mighty,” said Vangen. “They saw growth and commitment as a team. Their playoff run was nothing short of thrilling.”
U11 Cobras team members who earned awards were: Anikin Nordin (Jerry Mydonick award), Lilyanna Tomcala (most improved), Jolene Wegner (most dedicated) and Lowell Rice (team spirit).
U15
As they have been since the team’s inception, the U15 Highway 9 Predators was made up of players from a number of communities: Canora, Preeceville, Sturgis, Norquay, Cote First Nation, Pelly and Springside.
According to the coaching staff, led by Head Coach Graham Lamb, the strength of this team was the coachability of the players, “Every player on this team developed and grew, and will take that forward to next season.”
The Jerry Mydonick heart and hustle is a Canora award, and was presented to Chloe Doogan. Since the Preds are a joint team between Canora and Preeceville, two medals were awarded in each of the other categories:
- Most Improved: Will Salisbury of Norquay and Keltyn Konkel of Sturgis
- Most Dedicated: Ashton Strelioff and Caden Doogan (both of Canora)
- Team Spirit: Ridge Kriger of Springside and Lise Nokinsky of Norquay.
U18
The U18 Cobras, under Head Coach Adam Vangen, had a strong and memorable season.
“The boys had success in Hague at a tournament with an exciting overtime win,” said Vangen. “They played hard as a team and managed to bring themselves into a playoff position to be on the A/B side instead of the consolation round. They proved to be competitors that never quit and stuck together as a team.”
The roster included players from Canora, Buchanan, Sturgis and Norquay.
Award winners were: Devon Paley of Canora (Jerry Mydonick award), Avyn Seerey of Sturgis (team spirit), Cody Vangen of Canora (most dedicated) and Reein Godhe of Buchanan (most improved).
Parkland Prairie Ice
The U18 Parkland Prairie Ice of the Sask Female Hockey League was made up of both U15 and U18 girls under Head Coach Nicole Korpusik. With their oldest players only in Grade 10, this team looks to have a bright future. After a run of losses early in the season, Assistant Coach Greg Smith said the team started show growth in the New Year.
“Our first league win came against Balcarres, the second place team in our division,” said Smith “That was the start of where we really turned the corner.”
In the consolation side of the playoffs, the Ice went the limit in each best-of-three series: defeating Carlyle in Round 1, Weyburn in Round 2, before bowing out in the south final to Swift Current in three tough games.
“They had a playoff run fitting of a Cinderella story,” said Stacy Vangen. “It was amazing to watch the girls transform and believe in themselves.”
The roster is made up of players from: Canora, Sturgis, Norquay, Kamsack, Theodore, Cote First Nation, Springside, Yorkton and Swan River.
Award winners were: Makayla Johnson of Sturgis (Jerry Mydonick award), Elli Vogel of Theodore (team spirit), Ty Northrop of Norquay (most dedicated) and Leah Braun of Swan River (most improved).
Next Year
CMHA President Stacy Vangen said the goal for the 2026/27 season is, “We are looking forward to continuing to have a strong hockey presence in our community. We hope to sustain growth, continue to develop both skaters and goaltenders, while we continue growing minor hockey in Canora.”
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