The Richardson Pioneer Weyburn Red Wings are getting set for the 2019-2020 season, and it promises to be an exciting one.

Head coach and general manager Rich Pilon, along with his staff, has had to make some difficult decisions in determining who will be making the roster this year after the team went 3-1 in the preseason, with several impressive performances from rookies and veterans alike.

Here is a look at the players on this year's roster.

Forwards

Originally from Mirabel, Quebec, Mathieu Belanger spent last season with the Saint-Eustache Vikings Midget AAA team and was also called up to the Saint-Jerome Patheres of the QJAAAHL for a few games.

After spending last season with the Regina Pat Canadians, Weyburn’s Braden Birnie is making the jump to Junior A hockey. Over his midget years, he averaged more than a point a game. Having grown up a fan of the team, the chance to play for the Red Wings is undoubtedly a dream come true for the 18-year-old forward.

Displaying some grit in the preseason with two fights, Keigan Callander is a big body amongst the forwards of the Red Wings. He played with the Notre Dame Hounds two season ago and with the Pilot Butte Storm last year. He also played two games with the Red Wings. The ‘99-born player will be looking to make his mark in his final year of Junior A hockey.

Entering his second season wearing the Winged Wheel, Rhett Frey will be looked at by many to be a leader for his hometown team. While not the biggest player physically on the ice, he has a drive which is hard to match, and his play in the corners and on the puck demonstrates his tenacity. It wouldn’t surprise many if the 19-year-old forward is wearing a letter this season.

Putting up 66 points in 36 games with the Pilot Butte Storm of the PJHL last season, Taylor Halbegewachs will be looking to continue his point production at the Junior A level. The 19-year-old from Emerald Park showed spark in the preseason, and will likely have a strong season in the SJHL.

A new addition to the lineup, Quinton Hill lit things up in the BCMMHL last season. He notched 45 points in 38 games with the Vancouver NE Chiefs. A native o Coquitlam, BC, the ‘01-born forward is making the transition to Junior A hockey and hopes to put together just as productive a season in his rookie year.

Coming into his fourth season with the Red Wing’s, Weyburn native Ben Hiltz will be looked at as one of the leaders on the team this season. Last year, he put up a point a game, and only missed one game on the year. He has played in 108 games the last two years, averaging over a point a game in the span. 

After spending last season with the Delta Ice Hawks of the PIJHL, ‘00-born forward Jordin Kojima is coming east to make the transition to Junior A hockey. Standing 6’ 4” he is the tallest player on the team this year. He also knows how to use his frame to his advantage, demonstrating it during the preseason. 

Speed is the best way to describe Tyson McLean. The diminutive forward demonstrated it numerous times in the preseason, winning several races to the puck, and converting them into goals. The ‘00-born Calgary native played with the Nanaimo Buccaneers last season in the VIJHL.

Acquired in a trade with the Melfort Mustangs during the off-season, 19-year-old Jake Misskey is about to enter his third season of SJHL hockey. He adds another veteran presence to the lineup of what should be a young team for the Red Wings this year. 

Balgonie’s Jacob Piller is getting ready for his second year in the SJHL after having a strong rookie campaign with the Red Wings last season. The 19-year-old finished last season with 21 points, including nine goals, and stood out in the two playoff games for the Red Wings, scoring three goals. 

Connor Pyne is coming into his third campaign with the Red Wings. His ability to play to his size helps the team in battles along with the board, and front of the crease. He also has speed, which he demonstrated on his way to picking up 12 goals over the past two years. Another veteran, he will be looked to for leadership on the team.

Coming into his first year with the Weyburn Red Wings, Taylor Schmidt spent the past two seasons toiling in the PJHL with the Pilot Butte Storm. Over those seasons, he has averaged two points a game (144 points in 72 games). An offensively skilled player, he will be looking to make the jump to the SJHL for his final year of Junior A hockey.

Another 20-year-old on the team this season, New Lennox, Illinois’ Christian Snyder has spent the past two seasons playing Junior A hockey here in Canada, most recently with the Grand Falls Rapids of the MJAHL (Maritime Hockey League). He has impressed during training camp and the preseason and will look to continue to year-over-year improvement he has shown since his debut with the 16U Chicago Hawks. He is also the candidate for the most gentlemanly player on the team this season, averaging just eight penalty minutes a season.

Hailing from Stonewall, Manitoba, 18-year-old Kai Studler was a late addition to the team, but has shown his skill, picking up a goal in his first game. Throughout his midget career, he was a consistent point-getter and will be looking to continue developing his skills in Junior A hockey this year.

A bronze medallist at the Telus Cup with the Tisdale Trojans last season, Alameda’s Liam Rutten is making the jump to junior hockey this season. The 18-year-old had 25 points in 43 games with the Trojans last season and also spent some time with the Red Wings, being called up for three games.

Defence

Originally from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Anthony Chambers spent last season with the Boston Junior Bruins of the USPHL Premier League after finishing up four seasons of high school hockey in Colorado. A steady blueliner, the 20-year-old stood out in training camp and will be a veteran presence along a blue line which has several rookie players.

While he honed his hockey skills in Cochrane, Alberta, Nick Dobson is originally from Enniskillen, Northern Ireland. He is a true offensive defenseman, who can lead the rush down the ice while also getting back to pick up his man in the defensive zone. An 18-year-old rookie, Dobson will look to make his mark on the SJHL this season.

Regina’s Sebastian Eger is another rookie along the blueline this season. The 18-year-old spent last season with the Midget AAA Pat Canadians where he demonstrated his skill. His big frame will be an asset for the team.

Coming from Calling Lake, Alberta, Daytona Houle is another ‘01-born blueline for the team this season. He played with the Knights of Columbus Midget AAA Pats last season and was called up for a few Junior B games with Lac La Biche. Discipline seems to be a key for him, as he sat for just six minutes in the penalty box last season, playing in 33 games.

Hailing from Saskatoon, Riley Little is coming off three strong seasons of midget hockey, including two years with the Midget AAA Blazers. In 74 games at the AAA level, he picked up 15 points while patrolling the blue line. He added another 116 minutes in penalties to his stat sheet over the time. As an '01-born player, he is looking to make an impact this season.

Connor Karo is one of just three defensemen with the Weyburn Red Wings with any Junior A experience, having played with the Kindersley Klippers last season. Originally from Golden, Colorado, the 20-year-old will be bringing a veteran presence to the lineup this season.

A true defensive defenseman, Carsen Robertson is entering his second season with the Red Wings. Originally from Dilke, the ‘00-born player will be looking to do something he wasn’t able to do last season, despite his best efforts, and that’s record a point in a regular-season game. He does have some offensive touch, as shown in the preseason, and his time in midget hockey.

As a 19-year-old, Jevon Schwean is entering his third season with the Red Wings and has the most experience at the Junior A level amongst all the defensemen. He has grit and determination, and also knows how to handle the puck in the offensive and defensive zones. He is the leader of the defensive corps this year.

The only ‘02-born player on the roster, Graham Skinner impressed the coaching staff in training camp and the preseason, and he will be looking to continue to impress them once the puck drops on the regular season. Originally from Saskatoon, he spent last season at Okanagan Hockey Academy where he notched 20 points in 36 games.

Goalies

Heading into the 2019-2020 season, goaltending was a question mark for the Red Wings. The addition of Lethbridge’s Aaron DeKok has helped to erase the mark. The 19-year-old lit up the KIJHL last season. He posted a GAA of 1.89 and a save percentage of .936 with the Campbell River Storm last year. Making the jump to Junior A, he will be looking to post similar numbers this season.

Originally from Calgary, Noah DeCottignies is a 19-year-old netminder who spent last year in the KIJHL with Beaver Valley. The Red Wings acquired his rights in a trade with the Battlefords North Stars in the offseason, and he impressed in camp. He was solid in Junior B last season and will be looked upon to be just as solid this year with the Red Wings.