Predictions rarely work out, and although it's very early in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League season, we are seeing that already.
We're only about one-eighth of the way into the SJHL regular season, and the Estevan Bruins aren't even that far in as they wrap up a 10-day break tonight, but already there are some major surprises.
I don't think anyone guessed the Kindersley Klippers or La Ronge Ice Wolves would be sitting at the top of the league at this point, but here they are, occupying the top two spots in the league.
I also doubt anyone thought the Melville Millionaires would start out with a 5-2-1-1 record -even head coach Jamie Fiesel told me he thought they would struggle out of the gate -but here they are, tied with Yorkton for first place in the Viterra Division.
The Wolves, who missed the playoffs last year, have scored 30 goals in just seven games, with their top forwards off to a strong start.
Sophomore winger Owen LaClare was expected to step up this year, and he is certainly doing that, with nine goals and 11 points so far. Sebastien Beauregard, Jared Iron and Michael Sagen are also off to good starts.
La Ronge is also getting offence from a blue line that was considered the weak point entering the season, as Caley Bjork and Eric Macoretta have both contributed to the attack.
Goaltending might be the biggest reason for the Wolves' early success though. Returning netminder Dasan Sydora and former Vancouver Giants backup Tyler Fuhr have combined to form a strong tandem, posting save percentages of .932 and .937 respectively in the early going.
The Klippers are getting scoring from returnees Gio Bombini and Stefan Seel, as well as former Red Deer Rebel Cody Thiel. Tyrel King has been a rock for them in goal, with a .929 save percentage and a 6-1-1 record.
It's not surprising to see the Klippers winning - they've quietly built up a very strong group of youngsters, with a mix of good veterans - but I'm not sure anyone expected them to be leading the league at this point.
As for the Bruins, they've played two fewer games than the other teams in their division, so it's hard to put much stock in their third-place standing right now. They will put their 3-2-1-1 mark on the line tonight in their first action since Oct. 6, with the Flin Flon Bombers coming to town.
Speaking of the Bombers, a prohibitive favourite entering the season, they've gotten off to a mediocre start with a 3-3 record.
They've also had some roster turmoil, as they dealt off-season acquisition Jean-Kristoff Grenier back to Quebec over the weekend and neither player they received for forward Justin Rasmussen in a recent trade is reporting.
Contact Josh Lewis at 306-634-2654 or [email protected]. No Teemu, you didn't have to bring back the Jofa helmet for Mighty Ducks throwback night oh wait.
