The Wilkie Outlaws hockey team pictured here with the SWHL championship, last spring. (Submitted photo/Derek Keller)

By Martin Martinson

Senior Hockey Dynasty

Wilkie Outlaws continue to thrive as benchmark for SWHL success

Nov 24, 2023 | 5:00 PM

The defending champion, Wilkie Outlaws are off to another scorching start through the first three weeks of the Sask West Hockey League (SWHL) season, with a perfect 5-0-0 record to open their schedule, heading into the weekend.

Winners of five of the last seven league championships dating back to 2015 (not including the canceled seasons in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic), veteran player/coach of the team Derek Keller said a big piece of the Outlaws’ success stems from their depth throughout the lineup, and the familiar bond they’ve formed as a group over the years.

“We’ve had the same team for pretty much 10 years and that’s a key reason for our success, really,” Keller said. “We’ve added a few pieces here and there and there’s obviously been a little bit of turnover, but most of the core has been the same and I think that’s why everyone comes back…

“We have a lot of fun, we’re having a lot of success, and we just generally like playing with each other, so as long as that lasts, hopefully we can squeeze a few more years out of the group. It’s been a good run and we just enjoy coming to the rink,” Keller said.

Scoring has never been a problem for the Outlaws, who once again boast three of the top four in the league scoring race. Rory Gregoire (eight goals, five assists) and Brett Boehm (two goals, 11 assists) are tied for a team-best 13 points, followed closely by Rick Cey’s 12 points (five goals, seven assists), each in just five games played.

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This doesn’t include the contributions of defending league MVP and two-time scoring champion, Brock Harrison, who has nine points (one goal, eight assists) in three games, and Keller, who is the seven-time defending SWHL Defenceman of the Year and has seven points (one goal, six assists) in five games.

Between the pipes, 2018 playoff MVP, Jared Herle and Curtis Sander have formed an elite 1-2 punch for the team since the fall of 2014. Herle is 3-0 this year with a 3.33 goals against average and .899 save percentage, while Sander is 2-0 with a 2.50 goals against average and .921 save percentage.

The Outlaws will return to action this Saturday for a Highway 14 rivalry showdown with the Unity Miners (0-2-1). Marking the first game of the season series this year, Keller said it’s a game the team has been looking forward to as a highly competitive matchup every time the two sides meet.

“They’ve always played us hard, they work hard and they’re a physical team, so we’re going to have to show up ready to play,” Keller said. “Unity’s not a team we take lightly and it’s a good rivalry so we’ll be ready to go.”

Puck drop Saturday will be at 8 p.m. at Wilkie’s SaskCan Community Centre.

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

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