(submitted photo/Lake Country Timberwolves)

By Nolan Kowal

Timberwolves tee up

New name, new season for AA hockey club

Sep 20, 2023 | 4:00 PM

It’ll be a fresh start in more ways than one for the U18 AA Prince Albert boys hockey team of the Saskatchewan AA Hockey League.

Formerly known as the Prince Albert Vulcans, the team is now known as the Lake Country Timberwolves as they get set to start their regular season schedule on Sept. 30.

“We’re looking forward to that…our team as compared to last year, we had a very senior team with 10 veterans leaving so for the 23/24 season we’re a very young group which is pretty exciting,” said Head Coach Derek Simonson. “At the same time, there’ll probably be a few bumps in the road as we go but nonetheless an exciting group with lots of speed and lots of skill, so we look forward to that.”

Last year, the team had an extensive playoff run before losing out in the north final. Even with the roster turnover heading into the new season, Simonson says the bar is still high.

“We’re working towards winning a championship,” Simonson said. “We got close last year and we might require a little more work this year. It’s a lofty goal but I think the process on getting there…it’s doable.”

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He added that he also focuses on off-ice initiatives as well.

“One thing that I’ve always prided any team I’ve been a part of is ensuring that we’re representing our community very well. Culture is a strong part of what I teach,” Simonson said. “Developing young kids and young men to become leaders in our community is an important piece of our puzzle when we’re going through the season.”

“Hockey is also a big part of it, but we know that not everyone is going to play hockey forever. I think if you drive that culture the right direction, it leads to success whether it’s on the ice or off the ice.”

The Timberwolves will play a couple more home pre-season games before they host the Saskatoon Sabercats on opening night. The team will play the majority of their home games at Kinsmen Arena.

“We do get quite a few people in the stands at our games. Kinsmen’s a smaller rink, but it’s pretty exciting hockey,” Simonson said.

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nolan.kowal@pattisonmedia.com