SJHL TRADE DEADLINE RECAP

--The Battlefords North Stars dealt away Dane Muench (recently re-assigned by the WHL's Regina Pats) to the Vernon Vipers for future considerations.  Long term, it's a great deal for the Stars.  They also picked up Cole Gibson from Estevan.  Gibson is a proven top-six forward and will help boost the second scoring.  Lance Tabin and Braeden Johnson were added from Kindersley without having to give up a Junior 'A' ready player.  Tabin's a steady defensive defenseman and Johnson was a bit of a surprise cut from the WHL's Saskatoon Blades.  I like what the Stars did and I think they are a darkhorse in the Bauer Conference, which seems to be dominated by La Ronge and Melfort.

--Estevan was rumoured to be in the hunt for a number of players, namely Cody Hanson from Melville, but ended up getting Jonathan Ceci from Nipawin for prospects.  It's an underrated move as Ceci is the SJHL's top point getter since December 1st.  With Joel Danyluk and Shea Cooper in goal, there was no room for Derek Tendler, so he's been moved to Winnipeg Saints (MJHL).  The Bruins have the pieces in place, the chore now for Chad Leslie and company is making them fit together.

--Flin Flon was maybe caught in that 'do we buy or do we sell' mode after seeing Melfort load up.  Adding Tanner Clark from Humboldt should help a bit for the present and more for the future.  He's only 17, but has a decent amount of experience already.

--The Broncos dealt away Justin Buzzeo and Jeremy Boyer to Yorkton; Nick Keller to Swan Valley (later La Ronge), Spencer Braaten to Kindersley, and Riley Gillies to Dauphin.  They want to see if the young guys left on the roster are capable of playing prominent roles for them next year, which is the RBC Cup host season.  If you believe half of what's out there for rumours, the Broncos will be getting quite a few players from the teams they have dealt with and should come out of this just fine.

--The Klippers are going to give Yorkton a run in the Sherwood after receiving Wheaton King from the WHL and Braaten from Humboldt.  They also took care of business for the future by securing the rights to Zane Morin from La Ronge and they were part of a three way deal with Battlefords and Melville in the Braeden Johnson trade that should pay dividends next year and beyond.  I liked Kindersley's chances before the year started and I like them just as much on January 11th.

--The Ice Wolves stole Nick Keller from the Swan Valley Stampeders and I've seen this player kick it up a notch in the playoffs in each of the last two years that Humboldt won their SJHL titles.  It's a subtle, but potentially huge move for La Ronge as they try to defend their crown.  Not sure what went wrong with Keller in Swan; but it's too bad they couldn't hang on to him.

--Where do we start with Melfort?  Brayden Metz and Cody Hanson were added from Melville and they should bring a combination of skill and toughness to the club as they are widely considered to have the best chance at unseating the Ice Wolves in the Bauer Conference.  It sounds like Carter Berg is coming back too so that further solidifies an already strong defense.  For people that are familiar with what Yorkton did in the Sherwood, Melfort is the Bauer Conference equivalent.

--Melville, basically, is punting 2010-11 in favor of 2011-12 as they expect to be in a new arena and they should have a real good team if the futures from Melfort pan out as many think.  They also get young Michael Sagen from the Regina Pats and are believed to be calling up Dayton Reinboldt from Swift Current Midget AAA.  

--Nipawin moved out their veterans as they are currently in the cellar of the Bauer Conference.  Still, the decisions couldn't have been easy as they are 7-and-4 since Christmas.  Jeremy Peeke, ex-Estevan, brings help for the present and there are prospects coming over in the other deals.

--Notre Dame was quiet, although many thought Russell Abbott and James Howden may be on the move.  One coach told me the price was sky high for both players.

--Weyburn didn't do anything in the way of transactions and they were also quiet last year.  One common misconception people have is that folks think clubs are built on January 10th and they are not.  The Wings are playing extremely well and they didn't feel the need to cause ripples.

--Yorkton fired the first shot when they picked up Boyer and Buzzeo from Humboldt late last week.  Upon learning that Davis Vandane was staying with Spokane and some of their other WHL players were also keeping their roster spots; Don Chesney made a move for Brant Remenda, Nipawin's captain.  Remenda brings experience, some offensive ability, and a no-fear approach.

Here are my Power Rankings following the moves (I think you can break up the league into three groups.  Four teams that are the clear favorites, four teams that are capable of knocking off those above them, but are a little behind, and four teams that should look towards next year.):

1-La Ronge ... if Bartko elevates his game, he is the difference and Ice Wolves repeat.
2-Yorkton ... are there enough pucks for all the offensive playmakers?
3-Melfort ... sink or swim.
4-Kindersley ... nobody is really talking about them, but their talent level is the same as the other three.

5-Weyburn ... getting good goaltending and they are not fun to play against.
6-Estevan ... I still think Danyluk emerges and he'll be a big problem against whoever they play in playoffs.
7-Battlefords ... quietly have taken some steps forward in recent weeks.
8-Flin Flon ... people are writing them off and not sure why.

9-Humboldt ... play 12 of final 17 at home so I think they have a chance to hang on to 3rd.
10-Melville ... opportunity for Desjarlais, Tagoona, Froese, and Owen to show what they've got.
11-Nipawin ... always tough for first year coach to come into a rebuilding program, so rebuilding continues.
12-Notre Dame ... clearly, their goal will be to catch Melville for fifth after standing pat.