Sask-Can History

 SASK-CAN

“A Brief The History of AAA Summer Hockey in Saskatchewan"

The idea of creating a "AAA" summer hockey program in Saskatchewan was concieved in the spring and summer of 1993.

"Team Northwest" contacted Logan, Lorie's 9 year old son, in April of 1993 to see if Logan would like to play for his team that summer. "Team Northwest" was, and is, an organization covering a recruitment area including the north-west and west-central United States. In the early 90's, they also recruited Canadian players in non affiliated area's such as Saskatchewan. At that time, "Team Northwest" had been operating for several years and presently had four age divisions; as it turned out, there were already several Saskatchewan boys playing on the various "Team Northwest" clubs.

The invitation was enticing but the travel to and from practice schedules in North and South Dakota as well as a commitment to attend three hockey tournaments through the summer was a little overwhelming and the Heggies had to decline the invitation.

Reflecting on the concept of AAA summer hockey and "International Tournaments" the Heggies decided to do a little investigating. They found that competitive off-season ice hockey was a relatively unknown entity in Saskatchewan.

Although there was some intermittent interest in various communities in the province, there had been, up to then, no real organized effort to make Spring/Summer hockey a reality. Any efforts that had been made were generally centered around a specific hockey player or group of players that were "winter season" teamates. Typically these singular endeavors were "one time" get togethers to go to a single tournament in Vancouver or Toronto.

Heggies talked with many of their "Hockey Parent" friends and began to formulate a concept of what they thought they would like to see in a summer hockey program. People like Steve and Adriane Perpich (and their son Mike) were very influential through their idea's, suggestions, support and hard work in the formative months and years ahead. From the outset we had some priorities for the program that were non-negotiable. It had to be "fun" and a "learning" experience for the parents and the players. We wanted a permanent organization that would afford a unique experience to young hockey players for years to come. Our intention was to recruit players from all parts of the province(in fact we had fun making maps so that the kids would get to know each others towns, etc). It was our hope that given a chance to play together and learn the game of hockey in a truely positive environment, that young players from Meadow lake to Estivan, and Nipawin to East End would enjoy the experince, make lifelong friendships and create special memories to last a lifetime.

The Heggies made the "Minnesota International Hockey Festival" a main stop on their 1993 vacation. Lorie met with John Fuhrer, John Weidemeyer (the Chairman of The Minnesotta International Hockey Festival) and representatives from most of the other organizations and teams at the tournament. There were teams from the Czech and Slovak Republics, Finland, Germany, Ukraine, Russia and from all over the U.S. and Canada. This was exciting, but at the same time perplexing. Why was there no team Saskatchewan? There were Northern Alberta Selects, Manitoba Mustangs, teams from Vancouver, Thunder Bay, and Toronto. Furthermore, there were dozens of Saskatchewan license plates in rink parking lots. What had happened, was that other organizations like John Fuhrer's were actively recruiting Saskatchewan hockey players because there was no "home based" Saskatchewan team for them to tryout with and play for.

It took some negotiation to iron out the details but in the end an agreement was reached that allowed Saskatchewan to field a slate of teams for the following summer's tournament schedule. Players that had played for other organizations would be released so that they could join with other Saskatchewan youngsters in representing their own province. Naively, the request was made by the Minnesota Festival Committee to assure them that Saskatchewan teams would be "competitive". They obviously didn't know how seriously Saskatchewan takes it hockey.

There were lots of things to be done over the next several months. Even generating a(what you would think to be a simple task) name was difficult. S.A.H.A, (the Saskatchewan Amateur Hockey Association) would not sanction the program and through their affiliation with Saskatchewan Amateur Athletics prohibited the word Saskatchewan from being used when it came to the organization registering a name. Through lobbying, and direct involvement of some MLA's, the name SASK-Can was permitted. While other jurisdictions had the cooperation and support of their respective Provincial Governing Bodies(ie: North and South Alberta Selects; Winnipeg Selects and Manitoba Mustangs) SASK-Can decided to persevere with their intension of supplying a unique opportunity to the Province's youth despite the lack of S.A.H.A. cooperation.

In previous years S.A.H.A had actually suspended some coaching privileges for individual involvement in similar activities. Despite this concern, four people decided to take that chance and become the first group of directors for SASK-Can operations. They were Lee Ulmer 80's (1980 birth dates), Royce Taylor 81's, Steve Perpich 82's, and Lorie Heggie 83's.

One of the first tasks the SASK-Can group set out for themselves was to formulate a "mission statement" and to accompany it with some general guiding policy. (the mission statement is attached later for your interest, along with a typical "letter of invitation to try out") The intention was to provide parents, players and member volunteers a concrete reference so as to alleviate many misunderstandings of purpose and direction.

Recruiting of coaching staff and players for the original four divisions began in the late summer of 1993. Such recruitment was kept "low profile" as it was SASK-Can's intention, from the very first, not to infringe upon S.A.H.A.'s winter hockey program or to detract from the athletes commitment to their local teams or leagues. Coaches, Parents and prospective players were made very clear as to SASK-Can policy. Selection of coaches and players were and are, made, keeping that policy in mind. With time and effort SASK-Can has been successful in finding coaches and players of exceptional caliber that are committed to the program's philosophy of promoting fun, encouragement, sportsmanship and ethics both on and off the ice.

It was agreed that usually, and whenever possible, each division would invite twice the number of players to tryout camp to what the team wanted in the end(ie: Typically a team has two goalies and fifteen skaters so we would invite four goalies and thirty players to try out). This number allows a fifty/fifty chance for any given player to make the team and it also allows for a wide enough selection for coaches to choose from. Occasionally we have invited fewer than this "two to one" ratio to camp but SASK-Can does not see try-out camps as a fund raising tool so we don't go over the ratio.

SASK-Can's first season of competition was a success. The four divisions attended a tournament in Winnipeg, hosted by the Winnipeg Selects, some mini tournaments, and the Minnesota International Hockey Festival in August of 1994. Fun was had, friends were made, players skills developed and hockey games were won and lost.

Over the ensuing years the SASK-Can organization has adapted to the demands and the interests of the players and parents. The organization has grown from four divisions in 1993-94 to ten in 2002 (minor and major novice, minor and major atom, minor and major pee wee, minor bantam, and three female divisions.) SASK-Can teams have won numerous tournament championships and have had several of their players and coaches independently selected for North American teams going to Europe. 1995 saw Russ Bezinski and the Major Bantam age group win the MIHF title. 1996 saw Steve Perpich coach and three SASK-Can Pee wees play on the North American Selects team which went to Russia. In 1997 coaches Doug Barker and Gary Boon along with players Kevin Shmyr, Sheldon Kohlman, Kevin Siebel, Matt Folk and Logan Heggie went with the North American Selects team to the Czech Repulic.

The other SASK-Can highlight of 1997 was the first "City of Bridges" tournament. The tournament was held over five days in early July. Seven ice surfaces were used to accommodate the eighty three teams that were in attendance. To our knowledge, it was the first ever International AAA Summer hockey tournament held in Saskatchewan. That first tournament was managed by Stan Len and McCulloch and due to their extraordinary volunteer work was a complete success. The "City of Bridges" continues to be one of the premier AAA Spring/Summer hockey tournaments in Canada and always attracts the highest level of competition available. The 1997 Summer Hockey season ended sadly: Logan Heggie and his mom Maureen died tragically due to a result of Maureen's illness on Aug 7, 1997. The SASK-Can organization has continued to honor their memory by dedicating the annual "City of Bridges" tournament to them. There has been a memorial scholarship fund set up in Logan Heggie's name. If anyone is interested in it, in any way, please call Lorrie Heggie at 306-373-4060 or email: b.l.heggie@sk.sympatico.ca .

Over the years SASK-Can has worked hard to earn the respect of the Hockey community. With commitment to the integrity of their philosophy, SASK-Can players, coaches and volunteers have, without compromising their principles, continued to succeed in the highly competitive game of AAA hockey. Dozens of SASK-Can alumni have been drafted by the WHL in mens hockey as have dozens of SASK-Can females been recruited by Canadian and US colleges. Robyn Regier (defense for Calgary Flames) was the first SASK-Can graduate to make it to the NHL but the true benchmark of SASK-Can's success is the tremendous number their players, coaches and volunteers that continue to enjoy and explore the exciting game of hockey at every level.

Honorable mention must be made to volunteers like Doug Smeltzer and Lauren Shmyr, along with dozens of others, without whom SASK-Can would not continue. With province wide support from businesses and individuals, corporate and private, SASK-Can maintains its high level of excellence and remains a "not for profit" volunteer organization dedicated to the hockey playing youth of Saskatchewan. SASK-Can's goal remains, as it always has been in our mission statement. (see below)

SASK-Can and I personally thank you, the hockey community, for your support and interest. Please contact us with your questions or comments. No Fear - enjoy Lorrie Heggie

SASK-Can AAA Summer Hockey Association was developed to promote hockey programs of excellence in Saskatchewan to compete at national and international levels with the various age groups. Most provinces have had such programs for several years, and in the past Saskatchewan youth had to play outside the province. It was time for these athletes to have a chance to represent their own province.

In 1994, upon invitation by the Minnesota International Hockey Festival, four teams were organized at the Atom and Peewee levels. The following year the SASK-Can organization expanded to eight teams: Major Novice, Minor and Major Atom, Minor and Major Peewee, Minor and Major Bantam and Minor and Major Female.

We realized that this is an opportunity of a lifetime for many Saskatchewan athletes, not only to play AAA hockey, but also to compete with and learn from other teams and cultures from around the world. This is indeed a traveling and learning experience for the athletes and their parents and coaches. It is a great opportunity to become ambassadors for our great sport and the Province of Saskatchewan. All the athletes and parents will be left with many new friends located throughout the province.

Mission Statement

IT IS OUR INTENTION TO ALLOW YOUTH FROM ACROSS SASKATCHEWAN THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE LIFE-LONG FRIENDSHIPS; SKATE WITH AND LEARN FROM OTHER PLAYERS OF THEIR OWN CALIBRE; TO CREATE FUN IN LEARNING SPORTSMANSHIP AND ACHIEVEMENTS; TO FOSTER AN INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNINTY AND RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER.

How was your child selected for the SASK-Can summer program?

Parents that have been involved with the program over the past several years are spread throughout the province from east to west to north to south. These parents have experienced and watched several games at the AAA level with their own child. They return home and watch winter hockey and either see or hear of a child in their community that is playing above the rest. We rely on these parents to supply information that we may be looking for as coordinators of each age group. Scouting within our program is province wide and many hours are spent traveling to look at various players.

This will be an ongoing program that will expand from year to year, to allow more youth this great opportunity. It is a non-profit and non-patronage organization that looks at greatness in all youth, through their skills, development and ATTITUDE! It also recognizes that parents, coaches and management must also exhibit high standards of ETHICS and SPORTSMANSHIP at all times.

All players will be given EQUAL and FAIR opportunity during try-outs, practices and tournament play. THE PLAYERS WHO MAKE THIS TEAM WILL PLAY AS A TEAM - WIN OR LOSE. You will become AMBASSADORS for Saskatchewan and YOURSELVES and feel PRIDE in what you are and do!

Our evaluation camp will have knowledgeable hockey personnel to evaluate and encourage these youths to reach their full potential. It will evaluate what they excel at and encourage them to improve in other areas. The camp will be a FUN, LEARNING EXPERIENCE, designed to encourage players who might not make the team in a certain year to work and strive to improve for the following years. Cost of registration is kept to a minimum for the try-outs. There are no paid positions within this organization. All moneys will be accounted for and released in a budget statement by each age group. If you as parent/parents have a child make the team, we want to encourage you to come forward to the executive at any time with any concerns you may have. We will investigate concerns and will respond with a reply.