The puck drops on the 2024-2025 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League regular season this weekend, so it’s time to rank the teams after their off-seasons and pre-seasons with the real games set to start.
SportsCage.com’s SJHL power rankings are created by contributors independently ranking each team from No. 1 to No. 12, then averaging out the totals.
1) Humboldt Broncos
The Broncos have had the pieces in place for several years but haven’t been able to get past the second round. Despite losing key contributors from last season, they still have NCAA commit Connor Miller and the talented Maddox Amaral. The team also brought in 20-year-old QMJHL veteran Edouard Gauthier to guard the net. The addition of Humboldt’s own, three-time SJHL Top Coach, and 2023 CJHL Coach of the Year, Brayden Klimosko, is substantial.
2) Flin Flon Bombers
The Bombers once again made it to the SJHL Canterra Seeds Cup Final, but came up short in their quest. They lost several key players, including Justin Lies, Top Defenceman Noah Houle, and Goalie of the Year Harmon Laser-Hume. However, with Coach of the Year Mike Reagan still at the helm and returnees like Carter Anderson, Anthony Pisonino, and goaltender Kenneth Marquart, they remain as one of the league’s top contenders, especially at the Whitney Forum.
3) Melfort Mustangs
The defending champs had an unforgettable journey capturing the 2024 championship, and Trevor Blevins is eyeing a repeat, just like he did nearly a decade ago. The Mustangs will likely be rock-solid from the net out, with Kristian Coombs stepping up to guard the goal and a seasoned defence, now bolstered by WHL veteran Nic Andrusiak. Leading the offensive charge up front, Kaleb Binner and Logan Belton are set to take on bigger roles.
4) Weyburn Red Wings
Expectations are sky-high in Weyburn, despite losing key veterans both up front and on the back end. Head coach and general manager Cody Mapes has been busy in the offseason, restocking the roster with sniper Keenan Ingram and veteran Alyondro De Leon, alongside returnees Blake Betson and Braigh LeGrandeur. The biggest reason for optimism? The return of both netminders, Angelo Zol and SJHL Goalie of the Year finalist Dazza Mitchell. They’re ready to keep the Wings competitive every night.
5) Melville Millionaires
For the first time in six years, the Viterra Division champion Mils clinched a postseason berth. With a strong group of returning players for Doug Johnson’s crew, expectations will continue to grow. Key returnees Jadon Iyogun and Caden Drury should power the offence up front, along with the return of five on the back-end. If newly acquired Loic Morin can be strong in net, another promising season could be on the horizon in Rail City.
6) Yorkton Terriers
A large group of returners has the Terriers and their fans excited for the upcoming campaign. The Terriers return three of their top five scorers from a season ago: Jaron Desnoyers, Jeff Hammond, and David Coyle. With returnees Jye Zawatzky, Tate Schofer, and Dustin Renas, the offence should be strong each night. Having 20-year-old Ethan Farrow provides stabilization between the pipes and will be part of their success.
7) Battlefords North Stars
It’s a new era, kind of for the North Stars as Garry Childerhouse steps into the roles of head coach and GM after years as Brayden Klimosko’s assistant. With the graduation of Kian Bell, Alex Izyk, Josh Kotai, and others, the team has several gaps to fill. The performance of captain Jackson Allan, Rylan Williams, and returning netminder Matthew McArthur will be crucial in determining what kind of season it will be for the Battlefords.
8) Kindersley Klippers
The Klippers start the new season anchored by their solid netminding. Cody Jaman has been stellar between the pipes, and with Logan Falk’s departure, he now has the opportunity to be the main guy. Kindersley also retains a strong defensive group with the return of Austin Osiowy, Russ Demo, and Kyler Smith. If the Klips can generate some offence to fill the void left by Ty Hilbig and Logan Linklater, they could be a surprising contender in the 2024-2025 season.
9) Estevan Bruins
With the team missing their top nine scorers and two goalies from last season, Estevan is poised to surprise but might face a bit of a rebuild. Newly named captain Cade Kennedy will lead an inexperienced Bruins squad. However, with veteran coach Jason Tatarnic behind the bench, they’ll be a tough opponent all season long.
10) Nipawin Hawks
The Hawks finished just outside of the playoff picture last season and will have some holes to fill if they want to take that next step into the postseason this time around. They’ll be led by local product and dynamic forward Finley Radloff, as well as promising forward Eric Hoiness up front, while goaltenders Tyson Endall and Corben Schnurr bring some experience between the pipes for a young squad full of new recruits, especially on the blue line.
11) La Ronge Ice Wolves
Ever since Kevin Kaminski took on the role of bench boss, the Ice Wolves have been competitive and in the playoff picture, but last year wasn’t one of those years. They will look to turn their success back around, and a good start is the return of talented forwards Jacob Cossette and leading scorer Mason Bueckert, who should pick up where they left off from last year. Just how they’re going to keep the puck out of their net is a question mark, with only one defenceman set to return, and an unknown situation between the pipes with the departure of Toper Chirico.
12) Notre Dame Hounds
After a challenging 2023-2024 season with only 15 victories, the Hounds aim to turn things around this campaign. Key returnees like 20-year-old netminder Spencer Borsos, defenceman Ripley Garden, and forward Carson Reagan, along with a new roster of fresh faces in Wilcox, are set to make an impact.
