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A Humboldt-raised hockey player that made it to the Western Hockey League is hanging up his skates. Erik Gardiner, who’s ending his hockey career as the assistant captain of the Kelowna Rockets, announced his retirement Jan. 16.

HUMBOLDT — Troy Smith was preparing to go back to school when he got his lucky break as a coach The Hamilton native had finished his second and final season season in the ECHL when his old coach from his Ontario Hockey League days, Pete DeBoer, offer

The Saskatchewan Jr A Hockey League(SJHL) and the Manitoba Jr A Hockey League(MJHL) met up Monday and Tuesday for the 2nd Annual MJHL/SJHL Showcase. The Showcase was kicked off Monday, welcoming 60 players from each league.

A cross-country skiing provincial meet hosted by the Carlton Trail Ski Club saw every local competitor place within the top four. There were 85 racers from all over the province at the Jan. 13 event at the Humboldt Golf Club.

The Meridian Canadian Open wrapped up in North Battleford with a win by the Rachel Homan team to capture the women’s title. Homan won over the Silvana Tirinzoni team by a final of 4-3.

NORTHEAST — At the national trade deadline both the Nipawin Hawks and the Melfort Mustangs swung deals that could make their lineups even stronger. The Hawks made trades on Jan. 10 for two defencemen to solidify their blue line.

In the end there was no stopping Team Bottcher at the Meridian Canadian Open. The Alberta team of skip Brendan Bottcher, third Darren Moulding, second Bradley Thiessen and lead Karrick Martin scored a 6-3 win over John Epping’s team from Ontario.

It is John Epping versus Brendan Bottcher, and Rachel Homan versus Silvana Tirinzoni in the men’s and women’s finals of the Meridian Canadian Open in North Battleford Sunday at the Civic Centre.

A total 19 curling teams started the day, but only four will be left standing by the time Saturday’s play is done at the Meridian Canadian Open in North Battleford.

With nationally-televised curling taking up the Civic Centre, the Battlefords North Stars must make the best of life on the road. The North Stars won't be back home until Jan.22.