The 2024-25 Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League campaign begins Friday, Sept. 20, and after an extensive turnaround campaign in West Central Sask, the Kindersley Klippers are looking to turn a good year into sustained success.
Head coach and general manager Clayton Jardine’s return to what is now called ‘The Inter Pipeline Arena’ last year coincided with the 20-year-old seasons of local heroes Logan Linklater and Tylin Hilbig. Those two led a solid supporting cast to a first Klipper playoff spot since 2019 (with Jardine coaching and current assistant coach Tyler Traptow a player).
Last season, the Klippers ran into a buzzsaw Flin Flon squad in the first round; with how well they were playing down the stretch, could they have made a bit of a run if that were not the case? We’ll never know.
Those two, plus heart-and-soul types like Easton Inglis, Simon Diaz, and Brock Mueller, have all graduated, so it’s time for a new era in Kindersley.
Let’s take a look at some key numbers from the last regular season for the Klippers:
Record: 23-26-5-2 (53 pts, 8th place)
Special Teams: PP: 20.1% (8th); PK: 79.6% (6th)
Goal Differential: GF: 173 (10th); GA: 206 (7th); Diff: -33
Special Teams Frequency: Power-Play Opportunities: 268 (5th); Times Shorthanded: 245 (11th)
Goaltender Stats from 23-24:
Cody Jaman, 13-15-4, 3.43 GAA, .903 SV%, 2 SO
Logan Falk, 7-10-3, 3.70 GAA, .887 SV%, 1 SO
John Macpherson, 3-1-0, 2.70 GAA, .915 SV%, 0 SO
Top Scorers from 23-24:
Logan Linklater: 51GP, 17G, 41A, 58PTS
Tylin Hilbig: 55GP, 30G, 22A, 52PTS
Keenan Ingram: 32GP, 19G, 19A, 38PTS
Brock Evans: 53GP, 12G, 18A, 30PTS
Brock Mueller: 48GP, 11G, 19A, 30PTS
As much as the Klippers relied on veterans up front, they gave plenty of minutes to youngsters on the back end. With the likes of Austin Osiowy, Russ Demo, Kyler Smith, Ethan Hilbig and Russ Demo all potentially back, this should be a significant strength of the club. With Cody Jaman ready to take the No. 1 role, the puck should stay out of the Kindersley net; the question is where the goals will come from.
SJHL Co-Director of Media Clark Munroe sat down with Coach Jardine ahead of the 24/25 season and asked his thoughts on the upcoming year.
