Cole McCaig steps into the legendary shoes of departed Head Coach/GM Mike Reagan, but with 10 returning quality forwards, five experienced defencemen, and a ton of familiarity after seven years as an assistant coach and three as a player in Flin Flon, the transition should be fairly seamless. If there is one question mark, it’s their two 18-year-old goaltenders, but if they are facing 20–25 shots a night, it might not be that big an issue. The champs start at the top of the mountain and will stay there until someone knocks them off.

The UPL Division is going to be bananas all year, and within that group, the firepower on Tad Kozun’s squad should be the envy of all. Talent, experience, and an elite, veteran goaltender in Gage Roberts mean the time is now for Nipawin’s core to make big-time noise. Mason Karakochuk’s 58 points make him the top returning point-getter from a year ago.

Head Coach/GM Connor Logan solidified a very solid, settled roster with a known entity in net in Nathan Claydon. The addition of 16-year-old backup Chase Kettles, fresh from an impressive camp with the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders, means they should be even tougher to score on than a year ago. With plenty of returning offence, led by goal-scoring machine Finlay Klippenstein up front and the dynamic Linken Fisher on the back end, this Battlefords team means real business this year.

It’s been a wild year of roster flux for Brayden Klimosko’s Broncos, but returning super vet Connor Miller and others gives plenty of reason to believe this team is ready to turn a quick corner after last year’s disappointments. Watch out for skilled journeyman Aiden Bruce, who returns to where he started his junior career back in 2024. Matt Bradley looks to get his first real shot at the net to start, and many strongly believe he has deserved that chance for a while. With a few roster moves still waiting to be completed, this roster could still look different come early October, and possibly even stronger.

Returning forward Kale Margolis is a real chance at being the league’s best all-around forward, and his pairing with skilled winger Rylan Oatman means the Mils bring back two of the Top 4 returning scorers from a year ago. The forward core looks ready to go, but the back end will need to prove it can fill the minutes of elite graduates Boston Harkness and Wesley Golden, as well as between the pipes with the graduation of Matthew Spencer-Dahl.

Cody Mapes made it clear he wants a shift to a slightly larger lineup, without compromising speed and skill, so we will see how smoothly that transition goes and whether this group can score at the prodigious rate the team did the last two years. Jonah Bierd, Jaxson Doyle, Teigan Semchyshen, and Sawyer Aquila form a solid Top 4 blue line for Mapes to build around, in front of presumptive elite No. 1 netminder Nate Stevens. Returning forward Callas Pierce could be an early favourite to finish high in the scoring race.

There is a lot to like on this Mustangs roster, especially a possible top line including Dru Mushumanski, Tristin Ziola, and the recently acquired Luke Dekay. They have plenty of forwards, but they will be looking to establish themselves on the back end. They are truly excited about Luke McKechnie and Nick Kotai and their battle for ice time in the crease. After a big playoff push last year, how will the long-time contending Mustangs look this time around? Will they be able to use the momentum of that late-season rally?

Steven Steranka’s return was big news, and they invested in terrific smooth-skating defender Aiden Laing as captain early in the summer. Drew Kocur will keep tinkering with this group, which looks to prove it belongs in the top half of the playoff picture this time around. Returning 20 year old goaltender Dylan Adams provides some stability in the crease as well.

Off-season acquisition Konnor Watson leads a forward group with a ton of SJHL experience, and Sam Failler up front and Jake Hargrave on the back end are two way-too-early Rookie of the Year candidates. Can Kyle Schneider, in his second year, keep his team on the line of playing on the edge and stay disciplined enough not to hurt the team? They’ll have to prove it. It speaks to the depth of the league that a group this talented starts the SaskPower Rankings outside the Top 8.

A run to the final last year exposed a ton of Yorkton’s talent to teams elsewhere, and losing so many players leaves a lot unknown about what Emery Olauson’s squad will look like. With elite two-way Tommy Ries on the back end and Callum Creig in net, the passionate Terriers faithful will probably feel hard-done-by by this ranking, but a lot of new faces need to prove it in the SJHL.

Negative noise from the league’s youngest organization will continue until this corps delivers significant results. Head Coach/GM Brett Pilkington feels confident about a strong returning class, especially up front, including the soon-to-explode Carter Bergen, as well as fellow local producers Trey Markus and Kanyan Unger. Watch out for Ethan Dundas, who impressed last year as a rookie and at Regina Pats camp, and rookie Ryder Gilroy, fresh off a run to the Sask U18 final with Moose Jaw, as they take big steps forward. Pilkington also truly believes in big Luke Brunen in net as a worthwhile reclamation project after a few tough years.

Kevin Kaminski’s departure late last year, along with a brace of good young players, means GM Bob Beatty and new Head Coach Taylor Harnett have a lot of work to do. Known entities like Grayden Perozni, William Knox, and reigning SJHL RBC Community Ambassador Ryder McKinnon will benefit from a fresh voice and perspective.