The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, alongside Bassendowski Agencies LTD and The Cooperators have launched the SJHL’s 50-Year History Book Heart & Soul of the SJHL and copies are on sale now in time for holiday shopping.
Compiled and produced by best-selling Saskatchewan author Rod Pedersen, Heart & Soul tells the stories of all 12 teams from the most colorful Junior A league in Canada. It also chronicles the tales of all defunct/relocated franchises such as the Minot Top Guns, Lebret Eagles and Moose Jaw Canucks.
Each chapter was written by a hockey reporter in each market, delivering a blow-by-blow diary of each franchise’s triumphs and defeats. The Battlefords North Stars chapter was written by News-Optimist reporter John Cairns.
Heart & Soul also features colour photos of 19 past and present SJHL arenas including Flin Flon’s legendary Whitney Forum, Humboldt’s Elgar Petersen Arena and Estevan’s Affinity Place.
The publication also includes a special commemorative section dedicated to the Humboldt Broncos, honouring those involved in the April 6, 2018, tragedy. There are 29 biographies and colour photos dedicated to the 29 people on the Humboldt Broncos’ bus that day.
Heart & Soul of the SJHL is available now at all SJHL arenas, and online at shop.sjhl.ca Hockey fans are encouraged to watch for upcoming book signings this holiday season with Rod Pedersen in Regina, Saskatoon and other Saskatchewan centres.
All proceeds from Heart & Soul of the SJHL go directly to the SJHL, its 12-member teams and the SJHL Assistance Fund.
Bill Chow President of the SJHL says, “The book has been a work in progress for the past two years. We want to celebrate our 12 teams, the billet families who are in it for the love of the game, the volunteer board of governors and the volunteers who work each game. The dedication of these people are the Heart and Soul of each team.”
Kevin Bassendowski says, “On behalf Bassendowski Agencies and Cooperators we are honoured and proud to be involved in this project. Hockey is ingrained in Saskatchewan and we are happy to celebrate SJHL’s 50th anniversary.
