Westman High School League all-star game

Details

Published on Sunday, February 7, 2016

Submitted Article

By Leslie McFadden

The best and brightest stars in Westman High School Hockey League (WHSHL) will shine this Sunday, Feb.7 as the league hosts its annual all-star game in Rivers. The make-up of each all-star team is based on WHSHL team representation – the more successful teams in the league standing have greater representation – as well as players who have been voted to attend by coaches throughout the league.

Many of these players figure prominently in statistics on the WHSHL website. The all-star game is not only an exciting time for players to show their skills and talents for family and friends, but it also gives the players a chance to show “what they’ve got” to managers and scouts looking for those special abilities. And it’s a chance to have fun!

Team Gold will have five players selected from the Dauphin Clippers – Cole Ritchot, Jared Lagorski, Brendan Kruk, Dylan Ushkowski and Josh Yaschyshyn. Eight players from the two Brandon teams will participate: Crocus Plains will be represented by Brent Pulver, Devon Cooper, Tyler Weatherbie and Tyler Monias; Brody Palmer, Eric Hildebrand, Rhett Bryant and Carter Sawchuk will appear for Vincent Massey Vikings. Deloraine Hartney Colts will send Jared Maxwell, Tristan Bell and Mitchell Dillabough. Gold sweaters will also be worn by Drew Kirkup and Braeden Cory of Melita/Waskada Devils and Cole Krutkewich of Neepawa Tigers. Minnedosa Chancellors’ selected players are unable to attend, but Team Gold would recognize Ryan McLenehan and Chayce Hanson. Leading the bench for Team Gold will be staff from Dauphin Clippers – Jason Alf, Dallas Drysdale, Bruce Helgeson and Eric Watters.

Killarney/Wawanesa Raiders coaches Tim Morrison, Paula Opperman and Bryan McAuley will set the direction for Team Black, and they will already be familiar with players Lane Ganske, Reid Opperman, Wade Thompson and Josh Sylvester of the Raiders team. Birtle Falcons will send Daniel Fouillard, Noah Lemoine and Keenan Lewis. The Falcons will play alongside their northern league neighbours, Major Pratt Trojans, who will suit up Joben Smith, Thomas Cochrane and Braden Zimmer. Glenboro/Carberry/Baldur Wildcats will be represented by Reid Gillis, Gage Pringle, Riley Rutherford and Jon Davison. Virden Golden Bears players Kyle Elliott and Andrew Gerrand, Boissevain Bronco players Bailey Robertson and Jordan Foote and Souris/Reston Sabres’ Adam Lamb and Dane Fortin complete the roster of black jerseys. League officials will attend and hand out league awards following the opening ceremonies.  With some races tight, final winners may not be determined until the league season is completed, the day before the all-star game.

Although there is no Rivers/Elton Rage team competing in WHSHL this year, there will still be interest in the game from the school and the community. The hockey academy from Rivers Collegiate Institute (RCI) will be assisting with the skills competition held prior to the game, and students from RCI will likely be cheering for Team Gold which will be coached by Bruce Helgeson. “Helgie” is the teacher/director of Rivers Hockey Academy and will likely receive a great deal of local fan support.

It will be a full day for all-star players and coaches. Individual and team pictures will begin at 1 p.m. at Riverdale Community Centre in Rivers. The skills competition, always a crowd pleaser, starts at 2:15 p.m. The puck will drop for the all-star game at 3:30 p.m. Following what is likely to be entertaining hockey, players will unwind and enjoy pizza as they make all-star memories