Four Saskatchewan communities will have their local hockey rinks a little busier this winter, thanks to a new senior hockey league forming.
Strasbourg, Indian Head, Cupar, and Ituna will all play a 12-game schedule this season in the Prairie Men's Hockey League.
The PMHL was formed to bring small-town senior hockey back to life and focus on more local players than imports to fill the rosters, league president Scott Macknak said on the SportsCage with Barney Shynkaruk last week. The criteria for a team to be in the league is quite simple: The maximum level of hockey played is JR B, with the exception of 3 JR A and above players.
Macknak added that the feedback and support they have received in the short time since they announced the league have been great and have created some excitement in the communities that have joined.
Moving forward, they hope that the league will be a place where other communities can join and use local talent to fill their rinks.
Saskatchewan is the country's leader in senior hockey players and teams. According to Saskatchewan Hockey, 138 teams were registered last year, and 2704 players Were registered for the FSIN Championships.
Teams in these leagues are often community-based and may include former pro, junior or college players, as well as local talent. Senior hockey provides a high level of competition and serves as a vital part of the local sports culture, offering fans an opportunity to watch skilled hockey and supporting local players and communities.
