In some ways, it is a new day in Kindersley, and in others, it’s not.
The main change ahead of this year is the new head coach, Kyle Schneider, who replaces the terrific Clayton Jardine, who departed for the Western Hockey League’s Red Deer Rebels.
Schneider, who was the assistant in La Ronge the last couple of years, will have some continuity in the office with Ryan Gibson taking over as the general manager, but more importantly, will have plenty of experience and continuity on the ice.
There will be plenty of familiar, talented faces among the players, as the Klips return 15 impactful players, and have made terrific additions in the likes of Van Eger from the WHL, and the returned Austin Osiowy, who was in the North American Hockey League a year ago after being a Klipper two seasons ago.
Hope springs eternal at the West Central Events Centre after two straight eighth-place finishes and Round 1 playoff exits.
Let’s take a look at some key numbers from the last regular season for the Klippers:
Among all those returnees is goaltender Brett O’Halloran, who was one of the breakout stars of the year last season, and Colorado College NCAA D1 committed defenceman Jaxon Herchak, so expectations for Klips should be high.
SJHL Co-Director of Media Jamie Neugebauer sat down with Head Coach Kyle Schneider in the SCSA Coaches’ Show ahead of the 25/26 season and got his thoughts on the upcoming year.
