Cade Kowalski

It’s hard to imagine that the Winkler Flyers never kept Cade Kowalski in their future plans because a look at his recent history certainly indicates that the 18-year-old winger has plenty of potential. In fact, now that he has settled in with the Weyburn Red Wings, the Morden, Man., product looks like he will more than live up to that potential.

The 5-foot-11, 172-pound Kowalski got off to a bit of a slow start in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League this season mustering just four points in his first eight games. Since then, however, Kowalski has been on a tear registering three goals and six helpers in his last five games and in the process helped Weyburn move into a share of the Viterra Division lead with eight straight victories.

Prior to coming to the SJHL, Kowalski spent one season with the Pembina Valley Hawks of the Manitoba Midget AAA Hockey League and in 43 games he averaged more than a point per game putting up 15 goals and 48 assists. Kowalski also had a two-game stint with Winkler, but was held off the scoresheet in his only other appearance at the Junior A level.

It is the two seasons prior to last year that one has to wonder why there was any doubt about Kowalski’s abilities.

While playing with Morden High School, Kowalski had 66 goals and 172 assists in 81 games played at the midget level over those two years and he also added 34 goals and 76 helpers in 37 games in the high school league.

Obviously, Kowalski would have benefitted more playing at a higher level, but the Red Wings are happy to have him in their fold and if he continues with his improved play Weyburn will undoubtedly be a threat to challenge for divisional and league titles this year.