Blackhawks forward Ethan Bear celebrates his first of three goals during the Blackhawks' 6-2 win over the Mintos on Nov. 13. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D'Andrea

Sports Year in Review

Sports Year in Review; Blackhawks rally after learning their fate

Dec 27, 2019 | 12:00 PM

The Beardy’s Blackhawks being removed from the Midget AAA and AA leagues make our Top Sports for 2019.

On Nov. 12, the Saskatchewan Hockey Association reshuffled their teams in Midget AAA for the 2020-21 season. The Blackhawks, as well as the Notre Dame Argos, will be removed from the league, and replaced by new teams in both Warman and Estevan. This season will also be the last year of their Midget AA club.

But just one day after the AAA Blackhawks knew this would be their last ever season barring a major reversal, they stormed into the Art Hauser Centre and beat the Prince Albert Mintos 6-2. Muskeg Creek’s Ethan Bear scored a hat trick in the game for the Blackhawks.

“To me, they mean everything,” Bear said of his team. “Every day, I come to the rink and I like being around the boys. I skate hard for those guys every shift. Every practice, I bust my feet for those guys. Those guys are my team. Those guys are my brothers.”

Beardy’s was at the top of Bear’s list when looking to further his hockey career.

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“Me being First Nations, Beardy’s was always my first choice. When I cracked their squad, I really wanted to wear the crest with pride,” said Bear, who hails from the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation. “I wanted to prove myself and our organization to everyone. Hopefully something changes and we get to be a team again.”

The Blackhawks won three of their four games following the announcement.

Here’s the full story from the announcement and their win against the Mintos.

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Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW