HUMBOLDT 鈥� The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League is on display in Warman early this week.
The Humboldt Broncos and the league鈥檚 other 11 teams play two games each at the annual SJHL Showcase. The event is expected to draw about 200 scouts, according to the SJHL website, from the National Hockey League, Western Hockey League, NCAA, U Sports, and more.
鈥淚鈥檓 excited for the Showcase as it gives me opportunities to be able show my abilities in front of a broader amount of scouts for NCAA schools,鈥� said Broncos rookie defenceman Cody Hough, an 18-year-old from Maple Ridge, B.C. The Broncos, who went 1-1 last weekend and were 1-2-0-1 as of Sunday, were slated to play Estevan on Monday and Yorkton on Wednesday at the SJHL Showcase. Broncos blue liner Chase Felgueiras, who was on the radar for the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, said the event provides opportunities to not only showcase himself as a player but also the team. To fit in all of the hockey action, some games are played during the day 鈥� which can make it hard to draw a strong crowd. However, Felgueiras has a fond memory of last season鈥檚 event.
鈥淭he first game we had last year against Estevan there were a bunch of elementary students there watching, so it was nice to play in front of them and have some fans cheering us on,鈥� he said.
The SJHL Showcase gives the Broncos rookies and the team鈥檚 newcomers to the SJHL exposure to what the league is about. After his first two games in a Humboldt jersey, Hough said the speed and physicality of the SJHL made an impression on him.
鈥淚鈥檝e had to make adjustments going into the corners against bigger guys than myself so I rely on my speed to chip the puck out before I can get hit,鈥� Hough said.
League president Bill Chow said that an event where scouts can fly in and see all 12 teams helps in getting players recognized and potentially furthering their careers in respect to hockey and education.
鈥淚t鈥檚 events like this that allow scouts the ability to see players at the beginning of the year and watch them develop throughout the season,鈥� Chow stated on the SJHL website.
Greg Moro played in the SJHL Showcase when he suited up for the Broncos in 2013-2016. The Edmonton product now plays at the NCAA Division I level for Clarkson University in New York State. Last season Moro was a finalist for the ECAC Hockey鈥檚 Best Defensive Defenceman award and was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Academic team. Moro said that he garnered some attention at the SJHL Showcase.
鈥淕etting to play knowing all kinds of scouts are watching you showcase your best was a pretty special feeling - Knowing that those games could be the stepping stone to a future goal,鈥� said Moro in an interview last season
