As the Yukon Malamutes official Fun Director, my first implementation would be the dress code. Mandatory Hawaiian shirts, shorts, and flip flops, YES in Yukon. Non-negotiable, even with the weather. Nothing says fun and chill like matching Hawaiian shirts for the whole team. As for the activities, there will be a lot of winter activities such as but not limited to: ice fishing, dog sledding, igloo building, tubing, skiing, nordic spas, curling, and of course bobsledding. In the evening to wind down, there will be a large campfire with smores, beers, and snacks galore. To cap it all off, there will be fireworks followed by an amazing display of the northern lights. 

(112 words) 2 TPE



I think everyone knows who the favourite is coming into the playoffs. The Detroit Falcons, the strongest team in the SMJHL right now, and coming to defend their title in the S69 (nice) play offs. The Falcons are trying to go back-to-back coming off last year’s championship, as well as going for their 3rd Four Star Cup in the last 5 seasons. If they pull this off, we can count it as a dynasty. That being said, we all know being the cup favourites and actually putting in the work to win it all is easier said than done. The top of the league is crowded and any one of the top 5 teams could take the cup home this season. Teams such as Maine Timber, Kelowna Knights, Great Falls, and Newfoundland could give the Falcons a run for their money. At the other end of the spectrum, we have a dark horse in the Yukon Malamutes, they did not have an impressive season by any means, but when their young core finds momentum, they can run away with games. With a few lucky bounces and finding a hot streak, the Malamutes team has shown that they can run and gun with any of the top teams.

(207 words) 4 TPE



My 6-star dream team for the SMJHL playoffs would be the best performers this season in S69 of the SMJHL. Some of these picks will be no brainers, however some others will be based on underlying numbers and statistics. 

At Left Wing, Bohdan Jarovsky would be an easy lock for a strong 2-way playmaker. Racking up a league leading 60 assists and 93 points this season. Jarovsky has the ability to make any of his linemates better. The defence lacks a little with only 4 blocked shots in the whole season, but building a well rounded line-up will cover for that. 

The anchor at Center would be none other than Cale Salad, the leader of this season in Goals and Points. You can not make a dream team line up for the playoffs without including that deadliest weapon on the ice. With 55 goals in the season with a ridiculous 25.3% shooting percentage, yes, that means he is expected to score 1 out of every 4 shots he takes, take a second to wrap your head around that. 

At Right Wing, a little curve ball here, but I am going with Sergey Bombay to add a little bit more grit and defence that any line up needs in order to succeed in the playoffs. Sergey Bombay can provide a little bit of offence, but that’s not the reason he is on this line, his linemates will more than make up for what he lacks. He is here for one reason and one reason only, to hit and block shots. Averaging one of the highest hits and blocked shots per game at the position, he will be hard to play against in a long drawn out post season. 

Left Defence, Nino Di Giuseppe. This season he has 53 points in 66 games, which is insane for a defenceman. Nino has scored more points than 80% of the league and that includes forwards. He is the highest scoring Defenceman, and did I mention he can also play D? With 101 hits, 35 blocks, and 40 takeaways, he isn’t just a glass cannon at the backend, he can put up and shut out as well.

At Right Defence, is John Brown. This is a D-man’s D-man, a stud that all goalies love. Stay at home, shut the door, turn off the lights, and HIDE YOUR KIDS. John Brown has 96 takeaways, 84 blocked shots, and 162 hits. Good luck getting into the O-zone when he’s on the ice, if he doesn’t take the puck off you, he will remove you physically from play. 

They say a goalie can steal a game or even a series. When they are hot, they are HOT, and no one has been hotter than Jeff Newman all season. With a ridiculous 40 wins in 58 games (that’s a .689 win percentage) and 13 shutouts, that’s 1 shutout every 5 games. There is no one else you would want in the crease when the game is on the line.

(501 words) 10 TPE