Timberjaks leaning on veteran presence as team looks to fill remaining spots

On top of the new young guns he signed to the team, he continued that the Jaks have a strong core coming back from last season, which includes former league MVP and Top Scorer Keethan Isbister, big body defenceman Evan Malenfant, and former AAA Mintos netminder Josh Henry.

Because the Prairie Junior Hockey League (PJHL) only allows two 21-year-old players on their playing rosters, with the Timberjaks having Isbister and Malenfant, Corfmat said they regrettably had to let their other goalie, Brayden Lyons, go as it, “doesn’t make sense to keep a 21-year-old goalie.”

The team also released one of the two players that they selected in the Moosomin Steelhawks dispersal draft, that being Vladimir Couoh, due to age. Their other pick, Nathan Barnett, is still questionable on the year, according to Corfmat.

Additionally, with the team they already have ahead of their tryout this weekend, Corfmat added the coaching staff is feeling “pretty optimistic”.

“We’re stronger up front [as] our young guys have a year under their belt. We won’t have as many young guys this year as we did in previous years either. We’re pretty happy with that situation.”

He continued that all three coaches will be together for their first couple skates of the year, whereas last year the team brought on Tim Leonard midway through the season, where he proved to be a difference maker.

“With Tim, Kim [Issel] and myself right from the start here, it’ll be a lot better. Just more time to make guys accountable and to help guys out on what they’re doing wrong or what they’re doing right as well.”

Following the weekend, the Jaks will head into their first contest of the season on Tuesday when they host the Carrot River Outback Thunder in exhibition action. They’ll then have one more tune-up game against the Saskatoon Quakers on Sept. 19 in Buckland before the regular season starts on Sept. 23.

Corfmat said that the pieces are there for the team to have a chance at a deep playoff run come that time at the end of February.

“Out of the years we’ve been here, this would be the year that our 21-year-olds are pretty strong, and if the right guys fall into our lap [this weekend], it’ll at least give us a chance to take a run at it.”

“We’ve beat them last year,” he continued, when asked how he thinks the Jaks will stack up versus other league powerhouses like the Regina Capitals and Saskatoon Westleys. “At the end of the day, you got to beat them when it counts and that’s pretty tough at the end of the year. We got to work hard on what we can do, and we have the systems to help us this year over everything else.”

P.A. will start the season on the road by heading to Saskatoon to face the Royals on Sept. 23. The two will then rematch in Buckland for the Jaks home opener a few days later on Sept. 26.

According to Corfmat, one of those home games will be set aside to honour the late Mark Odnokon, although plans are still in the works.

Odnokon, also known as Ozzy, was not only a well-known name in the city’s hockey scene but was also an integral part in reviving the Timberjaks and bringing Jr. B hockey back to Prince Albert. From the time the franchise was established in 2023 up until his untimely passing, he served as the club’s Director of Player Personnel, and Corfmat said those will be the hardest shoes to fill this season.

“It’s tough, especially losing a guy like him. He’s a great guy with a lot of knowledge, and he was great around the kids and was a pillar in the community. He will be dearly missed.”

Those interested in skating with the Timberjaks this weekend can still register for a spot, and can do so by sending an email to patimberjaks@gmail.com .

A full team schedule for the 2026-27 season can be found by clicking here.

—

loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

by Logan Lehmann

Timberjaks leaning on veteran presence as team looks to fill remaining spots

What's Trending