SJHL finds ‘new normal’ as season kicks into gear

Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League teams are chasing pucks and fighting for position, just like always.

But it feels different, league president Bill Chow said Monday during a stopover in Warman, where the SJHL is playing a series of games at the Legends Centre.

“There’s a new normal,” said Chow, whose league was devastated by the April 6 crash that killed 16 people on the Humboldt Broncos’ bus.

“The normal that used to be, will never be. Whatever that is — and I don’t know what that’s going to be — but we’re on the ice, we’re playing hockey. That’s normal. The teams are competing, and we’re going to have a competitive league again this year. I guess that’s the new normal, and we move forward. And as stated, we’ll always remember.”

The league announced Monday that its SJHL Assistance Program, designed to provide mental-health support for league players, employees and family members, has raised $1.4 million through corporate and individual donations. That effort was spearheaded by Co-op, which has provided more than $768,000.

“I’ve had a lot of families reach out, and using the assistance program ... maybe it’s just as simple as talking to somebody that’s not close to the tragedy,” Chow said.

The league has set up a 1-866 number through Homewood Health, which receives a monthly fee. The fund is billed if extra assistance is required.

Support can be accessed through Homewood Health at 1-866-4594805, or through the Canadian Red Cross at sjhlsupport@redcross.ca

Supports, said Chow, can take many forms. “When it comes to mental health, whatever that means,” he said. “Whether it’s just a casual conversation for someone to vent ... whether it means somebody seeks counselling long-term ... whether it’s somebody who ends up needing a psychologist to talk to, or treatment.”

On the ice, the Broncos — with just two returning players from last season — are off to a 2-2 start. They moved to .500 this past Saturday with a 4-2 win over the Battlefords North Stars.

The Legends Centre in Warman is hosting 12 SJHL games Sunday through Wednesday, including Broncos games against Estevan Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Melville Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Tuesday’s other SJHL games in Warman will see Weyburn against the Battlefords at 10 a.m., Notre Dame against Melfort at 4 p.m., and Flin Flon against Yorkton at 7 p.m.