Member Statement (13 November 2025)

From Hansard (13 November 2025)

 

New Franchise with Historic Roots Joins Junior Hockey League

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s with immense pride and as the MLA for Warman and a nod to the hockey history of this province that I recognize the SJHL’s [Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League] newest franchise, the Warman Wolverines.

The Wolverines were born February 18th of this year because of relocation from their previous home in Wilcox as the Notre Dame Hounds at the end of the 2024-25 season. After nearly 45 years in the SJHL, more than 100 Hounds have been drafted or signed by NHL [National Hockey League] teams, including some whose names are entrenched in our province’s hockey history: Wendel Clark, Rod Brind’Amour, Curtis Joseph, Jaden Schwartz, and current Tampa Bay Lightning head coach, Jon Cooper. The Wolverines are led by an ownership group of several investors, including Jonathan Abrametz, Cole Kachur, and Tyler Helm.

Head coach and general manager, Brett Pilkington, has built a roster that works hard every shift and are being rewarded by the fans’ tremendous energy inside KH Developments Arena. Whether it’s captain Vinnie Palmarin of Wilcox or Owen Parks of Long Beach, California, the entire Wolverines roster are growing into their new identity very quickly, and they’re becoming part of the community.

The Wolverines picked up their first ever franchise win on the road in Kindersley on September 26th and recorded their first win on home ice October 18th in a thrilling 4-3 shootout win over the Battlefords North Stars. Mr. Speaker, the Wolverines may be a new franchise, but it’s safe to say that with the Hounds’ history as part of this team, the tradition of producing world-class hockey players and Hall of Famers will continue in the years to come. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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