Twelve Yorkton and area athletes are currently representing Saskatchewan at the 2015 Canada Winter Games (CWG) in Prince George, B.C., this year.
Of the 12, half will represent the province as members of the male hockey team as four members of the Yorkton RawTec Maulers, defenceman Carson Sass (Melville, SK) and forwards Tristyn DeRoose (Ceylon, SK), McKenzie Welke (Yorkton, SK) and Carson Welke (Yorkton, SK) will be joined by a pair of Notre Dame Argos, blueliner Jake Kustra (Yorkton, SK) and forward Logan Foster (Kamsack, SK).
However the six hockey players aren’t the only local area athletes competing on the ice rink. Figure skaters Nicki Nagy (Melville, SK), Madison Tocher (Esterhazy, SK) and Shayanne Bear (Whitewood, SK) will also take to the ice in the hopes of finding the podium in Prince George.
Curler Mitchell Dales (Melville, SK) joins the Carson Ackerman rink out of Moose Jaw as third, while synchronized swimmer Madison Neufeld (Yorkton, SK) puts her exceptional athletic abilities to the test in the pool.
Clarizze Perpetua (Melville, SK) rounds out the local area athletes taking part at the Canada Winter Games as she competes in squash.
Clarizze Perpetua, Squash
Melville’s Perpetua is a relative newcomer to the game of squash, having just one year of experience under her belt before competing at the Canada Winter Games in Prince George; however this talented athlete is not new to the world of racquet sports.
In addition to squash, Perpetua is also a skilled tennis player, representing Saskatchewan at the 2013 Canada Summer Games.
The 14-year-old Perpetua also won a silver medal at the 2012 Saskatchewan Summer Games in tennis while winning the 2011 under-12 girls’ provincial championship in tennis as well.
Perpetua currently hones her squash skills at the Gloria Hayden Centre, where she is coached by Bob Wyma and has previously competed in the 2014 Jester Squash Tournament, 2014 Boast Squash Tournament and 2014 SLIC Tournament, winning the ‘B’ side at the Boast tournament and taking part in the consolation side competition at Jester.
Perpetua will compete from February 22-28 in the Female Team Competition.
Madison Neufeld, Synchronized Swimming
Fourteen-year-old Madison Neufeld of Yorkton might just be one of the dark horses for a podium finish in the synchronized swimming events that take place from February 24-28 in Prince George.
Neufeld has demonstrated her impressive abilities in the pool many times in the past, swimming her way on to the Saskatchewan provincial team and competing nationally in the 16-18 category with swim partner Mackenzie Dahl (Estevan, SK) at the young age of 13.
This local athlete also showed maturity and bravery beyond her years, moving to Saskatoon at 13-years-old to up her training at the Saskatoon Aqualenes Synchronized Swimming club.
In 2014 Neufeld was named the swimmer with the most potential and best spirit, taking home the 2014 Most Outstanding Potential award and the 2014 Spirit award. Neufeld is coached by Brittany Leaper and Natalie Good but was introduced to synchronized swimming by the Yorkton Aquabatix Club.
Shayanne Bear, Figure Skating
A two-time provincial champion, Whitewood’s Shayanne Bear has 14 years’ experience in her discipline despite only being 16-years-old.
The 5’2” Bear has also competed at four Canadian Challenges and two Skate Sask. Sectionals where she finished first both times, once in 2013 and again in 2014.
Bear’s home club is the Whitewood Skating Club and her main coach is Patty Hole. Bear is also known for her ability to compete at rodeos across the province.
She will be competing in the Singles Novice Female category in both the Short Progam (Tuesday, Feb. 24) and Free Program (Thursday, Feb. 26).
Nicki Nagy, Figure Skating
Nicki Nagy is another local area athlete that will be competing at the Canada Winter Games in the sport of Figure Skating.
Nagy, 14, who skates out of Skate Yorkton but hails from Melville, has been skating for 11 years and has had the same coach, mother Susan Nagy, for her entire career; a career that has seen many podium finishes, especially at the Skate Canada Saskatchewan Sectionals competition, where Nagy has taken first place honours twice (2015 - Pre-Novice and 2010 - Pre-Juvenile), second place twice (2014 – Pre-Novice and 2011 – Juvenile) and third place once (2013 - Pre-Novice).
The member of Skate Yorkton has also placed fifth at Saskatchewan Sectionals in 2012 (Pre-Novice) and a very respectable 12th at the 2015 Skate Canada Challenge.
Nagy was also the recipient of the 2014 Skate Saskatchewan Competitive Athlete Award. She will compete in the Singles Pre-Novice Female competition in both the Short Program (Monday, Feb. 23) and Free Program (Wednesday, Feb. 25).
Madison Tocher, Figure Skating
Just like Nagy and Bear, Esterhazy’s Madison Tocher will also be representing Saskatchewan in the figure skating competition at the Canada Winter Games.
However, unlike Nagy and Bear who will be competing in singles competition, Tocher will be competing in the Pre-Novice Mixed Dance competition with her partner Marty Haubrich (Dubuc, SK).
Coached by Bev Pangracs and skating out of the Skate Esterhazy Skate Club, Tocher has had some recent success including finding the podium at the Saskatchewan Provincial Championships twice (Gold in Juvenile Dance 2014, Silver Pre-Novice Dance 2015) and at the Saskatchewan Winter Games once (Silver in Pre-Novice Dance, 2014).
Tocher has also competed twice at the Saskatchewan Winter Games, once in 2010 and again in 2014.
Mitchell Dales, Curling
A 17-year-old Melville product, Mitchell Dales find himself the only non-Moose Jaw member of the men’s’ Team Saskatchewan curling team at the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
An eight year curling veteran, Dales has had all types of success on the curling sheet including a third place at the 2014 Juvenile provincials and a gold medal at the 2014 Saskatchewan Winter Games.
The lanky Dales, who stands 5’10” and weighs 130-pounds, will be playing third for the Saskatchewan representative Carson Ackerman rink, coached by the senior Ackerman, Patrick.
Jake Kustra, Hockey
Jake Kustra’s regular season, team-wise, hasn’t been the strongest. Stuck on the SMAAAHL’s weakest club (Notre DameArgos), Kustra has felt the sting of defeat far more than he has the glory of victory.
However, his personal season has once again been strong. The first-year SMAAAHL defenceman posted three goals and six assists for nine points through 34 games while spending a team high 94 minutes in the penalty box, showing that he has bite to back up his bark.
The 15-year-old blueliner has also been able to pick up his first SJHL and WHL points, picking up one assist in one game with the SJHL’s Yorkton Terriers and another assist in two games with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades.
Brother of Yorkton Terrier netminder Matt Kustra and son of former WHL goaltender Damon Kustra, Jake, who is originally from Yorkton, has continued to bring honour to the family name by making the final roster for Team Saskatchewan’s male hockey team for the 2015 Canada Winter Games.
Logan Foster, Hockey
Kamsack’s Logan Foster is yet another local area athlete plying his trade at the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame in Wilcox, SK, where he too plays on the Argos Midget ‘AAA’ Hockey Club.
Foster, a 5’9”, 155-pound first year SMAAAHL forward, tallied five goals and seven assists for 12 points in 30 games during his rookie SMAAAHL campaign, one year after score 16 goals and 19 assists in 36 games for the Notre Dame Bantam ‘AAA’ Hounds in the 2013/14 SSMHL season.
Foster’s last season in Yorkton was the 2012/13 bantam season where the talented forward scored 16 goals and picked up 11 assists for 27 points in 26 games on a team that included Team Saskatchewan teammates Jake Kustra, Carson Welke and McKenzie Welke.
Before his time at Notre Dame Foster had found success on the ice, winning a Peewee ‘AA’ Provincial Championship in 2012 with the Yorkton Peewee ‘AA’ Terriers. That same year he was named a First Team All-Star at the prestigious Regina ‘AA’ Peewee Tournament and competed at the world renowned Quebec Peewee International Tournament, also with Yorkton.
Foster is a 2014 WHL Draft pick and property of the Spokane Chiefs.
Tristyn DeRoose, Hockey
Tristyn DeRoose of Ceylon, SK, is just one of four Yorkton RawTec Maulers to crack the Team Saskatchewan roster for the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, B.C., however he might be the toughest.
The 6’3”, 170-pound power forward has shown promise all season long for Dan Cross’ RawTec Maulers, picking up four goals and 12 assists in 40 games while also keeping the opposition both on their toes with devastating hits, and honest, sticking up for his teammates by dropping the gloves (and opposition) when need be.
DeRoose, who has not represented Saskatchewan at a national level until these Games, is not without his credentials as he was named Team MVP last season for the Weyburn Crescent Point Wings of the SBAAHL, where he scored 29 goals and picked up another 22 assists for 51 points in 30 games.
DeRoose is the younger brother of Kindersley Klipper (SJHL) forward Darcy DeRoose.
Carson Sass, Hockey
Yorkton RawTec Mauler defensive defenceman Carson Sass will also be representing the province of Saskatchewan at the 2015 Canada Winter Games in Prince George, B.C.
The 15-year-old Sass is yet another Provincial team rookie, having no experience representing the province on the national stage.
But just like DeRoose, Sass does come with credentials.
The 6’0”, 170-pound Melville product, who was drafted in the third round, 47th overall by the Red Deer Rebels in the 2014 WHL Bantam Draft, led all defencemen on the SBAAHL’s Melville Millionaires with nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 30 games last season on the way to being named the Team MVP.
This season Sass hasn’t had as strong a season offensively, tallying just one goal and four assists through 39 games. However he has been a defensive anchor most nights on a very young Yorkton RawTec Maulers club.
Carson Welke, Hockey
One half of the wonderful Welke twins, Carson Welke, 16, has found himself in more of a setup role this season; a role which he has embraced, collecting a team high 20 assists in 40 games for the SMAAAHL’s Yorkton RawTec Maulers.
Carson has also found the back of the net six times in this, his rookie season, while playing on arguably the Maulers’ top line with twin brother McKenzie (also a member of the 2015 Saskatchewan Canada Winter Games team) and Logan Casavant.
Historically Carson has seen all kinds of success, winning a provincial championship in 2012 (Peewee ‘AA’) and again in 2014 (Bantam ‘AA’) while representing the province of Saskatchewan at the 2014 Bantam ‘AAA’ Western Championship.
Carson, originally from Yorkton, was drafted by the Regina Pats in the seventh round, 145th overall in last year’s WHL Bantam Draft.
His younger brother Spencer is a goaltender for the Yorkton Sherring Gold Terriers of the SSMHL Peewee Division.
McKenzie Welke, Hockey
Nearly everything that was said for Carson applies to his twin brother McKenzie.
McKenzie was also a huge part of the Yorkton UCT Terrier team that won the SBAAHL league championship and Provincial championship last season.
He is also a member of the RawTec Maulers’ top offensive line.
In fact, McKenzie has found a ton of offensive success in his first SMAAAHL season, currently leading the Yorkton RawTec Maulers in goals with 16 and points with 32, one ahead of linemate Logan Casavant in each category.
Not afraid of the physical game, McKenzie will most likely play a huge role for Team Saskatchewan in that he can spark the team with both a devastating body-check and a highlight reel goal, most likely thanks to a wonderful pass by his brother Carson.
Local results
Mitchell Dales (Melville, SK) is aleady finished with his Canada Winter Games competition.
The talented curler helped Team Saskatchewan to a perfect 5-0 record through the round-robin, defeating Quebec 7-6, the Northwest Territories 7-5, Ontario 7-4, Newfoundland and Labrador 11-3 and Manitoba 10-8. The 5-0 record gave the Saskatchewan rink a first round bye, however the time off seemed to hurt their momentum as they fell to Ontario 9-5 in the semi-finals to drop them to the bronze medal game where host B.C. crushed the Saskatchewan medal hopes, handing Dales and company an 11-2 defeat to finish fourth overall.
Esterhazy’s Madison Tocher and partner Mart Haubrich (Dubuc, SK) had a tough time on Monday, February 23, finishing their Pattern program with a score of 15.97 to sit in fourth place. They’ll compete in the Free program today (Wednesday).
Skate Yorkton member Nicki Nagy finished Monday’s Pre-Novice Female Short Program in eighth place with a 24.85 score. Nagy will now have a day off before taking to the ice once again for the Pre-Novice Female Free Program today (Wednesday).
Clarizze Perpetua and Team Saskatchewan’s girls’ squash team fell to Quebec in their first encounter of the Games 4-0. Perpetua and Saskatchewan (0-1) took on both Alberta (1-0) and Newfoundland and Labrador (0-1) on Tuesday, however results were unavailable at press time. Saskatchewan will take on B.C. (2-0) this morning and will be back in action tomorrow as they wrap up round-robin play against New Brunswick (0-1).
Team Saskatchewan’s men’s hockey team took on Alberta Sunday, Feb. 22, to kick off their Canada Winter Games tournament and lost 4-1 to the Albertans.
Yorkton’s Jake Kustra scored Saskatchewan’s only goal midway through the third period. Kustra also took a Delay-of-Game penalty in the second period while McKenzie Welke also picked up a two minute minor, his for Interference in the first period.
Monday night saw Team Saskatchewan drop to 0-2 with a 2-1 loss to Team Quebec.
Kamsack’s Logan Foster assisted on the lone Saskatchewan goal in the game, setting up Dalmeny’s Chance Adrian in the third period.
Foster also took a Head Contact penalty in the game.
Kustra, who is an assistant captain on Team Saskatchewan, took a Roughing penalty, while McKenzie Welke and Tristyn DeRoose also sat for two minutes, Welke for Hooking and DeRoose for Slashing.
Team Saskatchewan played Nova Scotia on Tuesday afternoon for third place in the group, however results were unavailable at press time.
A win against Nova Scotia would give Team Saskatchewan a day off and see them take on the second place team in group ‘A’, however a loss would mean that Team Sask would play on Wednesday against either Newfoundland and Labrador or Prince Edward Island in a Qualification game for the quarterfinals.
Shayanne Bear (Whitewood, SK) started her podium quest yesterday in the Singles Novice Female Short Program, however results were once again unavailable at press time. Bear will be back on the ice on Thursday for the Novice Female Free Program.
Yorkton’s Madison Neufeld (Synchronized Swimming) will be in the pool today (Wednesday) for the Duet Female competition. Neufeld is a dark horse for a medal in the event.
