UNFORGETTABLE YEAR IN SPORTS BROUGHT BOTH SADNESS AND JOY
Starphoenix sportswriters are looking back at the things they covered in 2018. Today, Darren Zary reflects on a year that ran the gamut in terms of emotion.
MOST MEMORABLE STORY
As much as we would like to erase that day, we can never forget the Humboldt Broncos’ horrific bus crash tragedy of April 6 with its far-reaching global impact.
It truly hit home for me, having grown up in Humboldt, which I still consider to be my hometown.
That fateful night, I was called into the office and made some heart-wrenching calls before solemnly driving out to Humboldt late that night while knowing what awaited me would not be fun at all.
I spent the next few sleepless nights trying to cover a story I wanted nothing to do with but nevertheless did the best I could do as I witnessed directly how it affected the community, including my friends and family.
FAVOURITE STORY
Typically, writing a story on a record-setting powerlifter would not be anything out of the ordinary or special, but writing about Janet Hills was simply delightful.
A record-setting power lifter is pretty routine stuff, and perhaps not feature-worthy, but Hills is no ordinary record-setting power lifter. She is only 90 pounds and 4-foot-11. She is 63 years old. And she is hilarious. Her humour and wit made the story.
Another thrill was being back on some old stomping grounds with a story on the Marysburg Royals baseball team celebrating 100 years of existence.
If you’ve been out that way, there isn’t much to Marysburg other than a church and ball diamond, a dog and a few houses. The fact that they can continue to field a team from the surrounding rural area is quite a feat.
THE YEAR IN QUOTES:
“Five in a row. Just think about that. That don’t happen anywhere.” — Saskatoon Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant
“It brings tears to my eyes to see how hard they are working out there.” — Gordie Howe Sports Complex director Johnny Marciniuk
“I want to watch and see the reaction of people and see what they think.” — Merlis Belsher on the opening of the sports facility named after him
“I know every guy who was recruited during a 20-year span by (U of S Huskies hockey coach) Dave Adolph was promised a new rink in two years.” — Former Huskie hockey player Jeff Henkelman on the long anticipated grand-opening of the Merlis Belsher Place
“When everybody goes back to work, I’m going to buy a city leisure pass.” — Retiring SSSAD coach and teacher Mark Andrews
“You can’t have a good tomorrow without a good today.” — Blades head coach Mitch Love
“Obviously, you float balloons out all over the place and wait to see if anybody gets back to you.” — U of S men’s hockey coach Dave Adolph on recruiting out-of-province players
“I think it’s ingenious.” — Saskatoon Blazers head coach Scott Scissons on the creation of the Mcintyre Cup “I’m such a bundle of nerves — I’d have a stroke if I went to world’s.” — Power-lifter Janet Hills, who began competing in her 60s
“I was trying to picture what my future would be without hockey and it’s pretty hard to see one without it. ” — Humboldt Broncos survivor Nick Shumlanski on joining the UPEI Panthers
“Everything is for them.” — Humboldt Broncos survivor Brayden Camrud on returning to play for the Broncos following the team’s bus crash that claimed 16 lives and seriously injured many more
“Our players are all ‘buy-in’ guys and these awards don’t happen without them.” — Saskatchewan Rush head coach Derek Keenan on being named NLL coach of the year
“It was true Holtby fashion. Lowkey. Nothing crazy.” — Saskatoon Blades assistant GM Steve Hildebrand on a Stanley Cup party hosted by Washington Capitals goalie Braden Holtby, a former Blade
“I think I was in the far background for an explosion.” — Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Cameron Judge on being an extra on the TV show, Stargate SG-1, which stars his dad, Christopher Judge
“I don’t really care, to be honest.” — Blades head coach Mitch Love on his team cracking the CHL’S top 10 rankings
“I’m not going to miss this place one bit. It’s certainly served its purpose.” — U of S head coach Dave Adolph on Rutherford Rink
“We’re the Saskatoon Hilltops. We have massive expectations every year.” — Hilltops head coach Tom Sargeant
“Once the puck drops, it’s go-time.” — Humboldt Broncos head coach Nathan Oystrick anticipating the team’s SJHL season-opener
“The golf part is frustrating, but they (twins Roscoe and Lyla and wife Ruby) mean more to me than anything in the world.” — Sidelined PGA golfer Graham Delaet on devoting his time to his family
“I might be 94 (pounds). I’ve had a Christmas cookie or two.” — Tiny powerlifter Janet Hills
PLAY OF THE YEAR
How about a double-play? Kelsey Lalor collects a silver medal with the University of Saskatchewan women’s basketball team and then helps Canada’s national women’s baseball team to a bronze at the Women’s World Cup.
GREATEST COMPETITOR
Bobby Ehman waited five years to gain a starting job with the Canadian Bowl champion Saskatoon Hilltops. He made the most of it with true fighting spirit.
Along the way, he displayed patience and perseverance and the undeniable will to compete.
BEST NEWCOMER
U of S men’s volleyball player Dylan Mortensen was worthy of the U Sports men’s volleyball rookie of the year award as the top male freshman volleyball player in the nation.
NHL first-round draft prospect Kirby Dach hasn’t disappointed, coming off his first full season with the WHL’S Saskatoon Blades.
BEST COMEBACK
Watching the Humboldt Broncos bounce back from a tragedy of such great magnitude is truly amazing.
Seeing a number of survivors back on the ice is inspiring and heartwarming.
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Now in his golden years, Jim Mcintyre remains a fixture in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League with the Saskatoon Contacts tirelessly working behind the scenes as a paternal caretaker of that team.
Posthumously, so many others can share this award. We lost a number of people who were active for so many years and contributed to much to the sports community, from Lyle Sanderson to Don Mcdonald to Wade Hindmarsh and Ron Gunville, just to name a few.
Sanderson was a father figure to so many. Longtime Hilltops supporter Mcdonald was as dedicated as they come. Hindmarsh was active in Saskatoon’s baseball and hockey scenes. Gunville was director of player personnel for the Prince Albert Raiders.
I consider all of them to be true sporting friends.
We also lost a great sports fan in Cam Fuller. While Fuller was known as a writer covering the arts and entertainment scene, I knew him as a passionate football fan. He cheered fervently for the Saskatoon Hilltops, University of Saskatchewan Huskies and Saskatchewan Roughriders. His dislikes? Rod Black and any team that beat the Riders.
I WISH I HAD SEEN …
The Saskatoon Stars cap off a near-perfect playoff run with a Esso Cup national midget AAA female hockey championship.
Oh, so close.
LOOKING FORWARD TO …
The final completion of the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.
This is the biggest sports project in Saskatoon’s history and I can’t until it’s all done.
We can also look forward to seeing the Saskatoon Blades in the WHL playoffs for the first time in many years.
Welcome, 2019!