SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — The Saskatoon Roosters are one of the youngest hockey clubs in Saskatoon. They joined the Adult Safe Hockey League after being established on April 18, 2018 by Brandon Eshelby, Mena Kenyi, and Ty Steffen.

Although the Roosters did not hit the ice in April of that year, much underground work was ongoing to see that the team hit the ice as soon as possible. Subsequently, after almost two years, the team issued another statement about them hitting the ice, but that didn’t happen primarily due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, they eventually announced that they would be hitting the ice on July 12, 2020 in the Adult Safe Hockey League’s 4-on-4 League.

On July 14, just two days after the proposed grand opening, the team finally hit the ice for the first time in a game against Bang Gang. It, however, didn’t come as a surprise when the young team lost to the experienced Bang Gang.

The day after the inaugural game, the team named its leadership. John Contreras was named the team’s pioneer captain, while Ty Steffen and Owen Hope were named assistant captains. With this structure in place, the team went for their second game in their history against another experienced team. They beat the Bandits 4-3.

With that win, July 23 has gone into the Club’s history book as the day they won their first-ever game, and to top it off, it was a win against the Bandits. That season ended with the Roosters having a 1-7 record in the Adult Safe Hockey League. Not bad for the young Club.

The Roosters were all prepared in their second season. In the first game on Sept. 24 2020, they trashed Another Worldly Device 9-3. This victory is recorded as their second ever win in their history. The season was later canceled in February 2021 but, before then, they had won six games, lost three, and tied four. Nevertheless, it was good enough to put them in the League’s second position, qualifying them for the Championships.

Even though they didn’t win the Championship final as they had hoped to, the Saskatoon Roosters have something to be proud of. Not many teams make it to the Championship in their second season.

Meanwhile, the Club’s captain holds the Club’s highest goal record of 21 goals in a season, while Brayden Betke holds the record for the most assists, 13, for a season.

The Roosters have really prepared themselves for the ongoing season. They signed players like Teagan Berko, who has 27 goals and three assists in the League, Josh Bobowski with three goals in eight games, Jonathan Thomas with one goal and five assists in 14 games, Kayden Thomas with one assist in seven games, and Colby Crawford, who is the only defense among the new signings.

The new season seems to be smiling on the Roosters, and the new signings are paying off. They have played two games and lost none. Their first game on Sept. 20 was with the Pacer, who they beat 3-2. In the second game against the Generals, the Roosters also won 6-2. These victories are due mainly to the new players the Roosters assembled this new season, plus the experienced players from last season.

The Club’s players all entered the season in high gear. Everyone should look out for one player, Teagan Berko. In just two games, Berko has scored three goals and provided one assist. Brayden Betke and Tyler Thibault are players who have shown that they have quality. They have both played two games, scored one goal, and provided two assists. Adam Saxton is also a good player and silent master assist. He has three assists in two games.

“Teagan and Josh are definitely huge additions to the team offensive. I think both guys are gonna put some pucks in the back of the net for us,” said Brandon Eshelby, the Roosters General Manager and goaltender, while speaking about their latest signings.

Looking at the Saskatoon Roosters, one can easily relate to the old saying, “the young shall grow.” Therefore, all eyes will be on the Roosters to see them bring their A-game in the ongoing season.  

This is an unedited user writing submission. The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Best Version Media or its employees.