NIPAWIN — Members of the 2013-14 Nipawin White Hawks novice hockey team have spread their wings and are showcasing their skills across Saskatchewan and in the United States.
The squad went undefeated in the NorthEast Hockey League that season. It claimed the league title. Eight of the co-ed White Hawks’ 13 players have gone on to play the game at the U18 AA level or higher.
“It’s really cool to have grown up with the core group of the team and to be able to watch them succeed in hockey,” said Finley Radloff, a member of that Nipawin squad currently competing for the U18 AAA Tisdale Trojans. “We were a really skilled team back then and looking at the players now, you will see that most of us are playing at a high level.”
Rob Wallington led the White Hawks as its coach with a staff that included Mike Woodward, Clayton Myhre and Kevin Radloff. He praised the team for being coachable and possessing a high desire to win. He said himself and the other coaches have enjoyed seeing the players go onto higher levels.
“We admire the dedication they put in as players,” Wallington said. “To see them succeed now, it’s amazing. You feel proud of the kids and the Nipawin Minor Hockey program.”
Players
Former Nipawin novice player Roan Woodward has cracked the Western Hockey League’s Everett Silvertips as a 16-year-old rookie. The forward had a goal and four points in 23 games through Saturday for his Washington state-based major junior squad. Woodward said in his minor hockey days he enjoyed being with friends and playing the game he loves.
Of that 2013-14 Nipawin novice team, he said, “Playing with and against those players for several years have made me a better player as well. Hockey has made me friends all over North America and minor hockey in novice started it all.”
Defenceman Owen Myhre (two goals and seven points in 27 games) as well as forwards Radloff (six goals and 15 points) and Pavel McKenzie (12 goals and 21 points) are currently Trojans teammates. In the Saskatchewan Male U18 AAA Hockey League, they compete against former Nipawin novice teammate Frankie Chaboyer of the Yorkton Maulers. The goaltender has a .869 save percentage this season.
In the U18 AA ranks, 2013-14 former White Hawks Raydr Wallington and Riley Carriere compete for the North East U18 AA team. A defenceman, Wallington has three goals and 10 points through 20 games. He has also played two games this season for the U18 AAA Prince Albert Mintos. Carriere is averaging a point a game with 10 goals and as many assists in 20 contests for North East. Last season Caytie Reed played defence for the female U18 AA North East Aces.
Other member of the 2013-14 squad that contributed to its success were: Olivia Myhre, Ethan Little, Mason Harbicht, Ryan Morris, and Heath Knudsen.
Team Success
In the 2013-14 season, Nipawin had three novice house league teams. Wallington explained that the coaches of the three teams tried to divide up the players to make the teams as even as possible.
“The kids that were born in 2005-06 in Nipawin, they have been an exceptionally good, athletic little group that succeeded very well at hockey,” Wallington said. “They still do.”
The league that season was divided into two divisions. Nipawin White topped one and Nipawin Black the other. Neither team lost in division play and White beat Black for the league title. The third team, Nipawin Gold, only lost in division play to Nipawin Black, Wallington recalled.
“All three of those teams had exceptional years,” he said.
The 2013-14 Nipawin White Hawks had great success that campaign. Wallington recalls going on a stormy day to St. Brieux with just six players and his younger son, who was playing initiation hockey at the time, and winning by more than 10 goals. In addition to league play, the team also tested itself in tournament play – winning some and more than holding its own against Tier 1 teams.
Wallington and his staff enjoyed coaching the squad. He said the team’s talented players pushed each other. As well, Wallington said:
“With good hockey teams comes good families. That’s what I remember. They were committed. … They were committed to the kids getting better. The families allowed [the coaching staff] to push the kids and help them become better – and they did.”
Wallington noted the team included two players from Cumberland House – McKenzie and Chaboyer. He praised those families for driving to Nipawin and said they never missed a session.
Several of the novice players moved on the next season to the Atom Wolfpack. That team went undefeated, won every tournament it entered, and recorded more than 40 wins, said Joyce Woodward, Roan’s mother.
At the peewee level, six members of the 2013-14 Nipawin novice team helped the 2018 Tisdale AA Ramblers earn a share of a provincial title. The team was to play the Regina Prairie Storm two days after the devastating April 6 Humboldt Broncos bus crash that claimed 16 lives. The teams and the Saskatchewan Hockey Association decided the squads would share the title.
