Terriers Wrap Up 2021 Fall Camp

The 2021 edition of the Yorkton Terriers Fall Camp has concluded. Starting on Friday and with several roster spots on the line, four teams of 13 players battled it out for the Norm Cup prior to the start of the 2021/22 SJHL season. The teams were evenly matched, all sitting at a 1-1 record with a final round robin game remaining. Team Orange defeated team Blue, while team Black shutout team Yellow setting up the Norm Cup Final. With the game tied at two, team Black scored with 12.6 seconds remaining in the game to claim the 2021 Norm Cup Title.

Stand Out Players:

Team Yellow:

Three players stood out on team Yellow, and all of them have a good chance to make the final roster. Tyson Perkins was acquired recently from the Whitecourt Wolverines. The 18-year-old defender from Lethbridge, Alberta is a tall, physical defender who is a self-described stay at home defense-man, but don’t let that fool you. Perkins can step up in the play and he possess a sneaky good shot. He will be a top 4 defender and was extremely impressive in his first appearance among the Terriers.

Clay Sleeva is a local rookie who is a favourite to make the final roster. The Canora product is a speed demon who isn’t afraid to take on players one-on-one. Several times during the camp Sleeva would give opposing defenders a headaches as he opened space for his teammates. He also has a little sandpaper in his game, never afraid to get in the face of the opposing team. With several players leaving over the past two years, Sleeva could be part of the next star forwards on this Terrier team.

One of the youngest players at camp, Dustin Renas could make the roster as a 16-year-old. His biggest asset is a lethal shot, which was on display at times this weekend. Having produced at all levels he’s played at, the Saskatoon product proved that he has a nose for the net. As with any 16-year-old, consistency will be an issue, but that should improve in time as he builds in confidence. Renas will attend Lethbridge Hurricanes camp this week. If the Hurricanes don’t keep him in the WHL, he’ll be a favourite to make the Terriers this season.

Team Blue:

Another recently acquired Terrier looked good this camp. Erik Boers got caught in a numbers crunch with the Estevan Bruins, and Mat Hehr brought on the hulking 6-foot-4 forward in exchange for a conditional 2nd round draft pick. Boers is a power forward who showed that he can add an offensive touch. If he finds his groove, Boers will be an unmovable force that can dominate a game for the Terriers.

Another 20-year-old who impressed was Steven Norum. The Sherwood Park, Alberta product is a leader by example on this team. Norum produced offensively all camp and showed off his toughness after getting cut early in his first game, but didn’t miss a shift. Yorkton will look to Norum to be the team’s rock, a job he is more than capable of filling.

He was the youngest player at the camp, but he didn’t look out of place. In fact, the most impressive player in the camp is someone who can only be an affiliate player. 15-year-old Shaden Duliak played with a maturity beyond his years and could make the roster if he was old enough. The Yorkton product scored in every game, the only player who can make that claim at fall camp. Duliak showed that he can be a future star in the league, and is a player the Yorkton fans should be excited for.

Team Black:

For the camp champs, two players stood out. The first is Colton Koran, who signed with the Terriers during the offseason. Koran is a similar player to Norum. Willing to attack the net and isn’t afraid to get under the skin of his opponents. The Carstairs, Alberta product can slot in as a top 6 forward and he can play in all situations for the Terriers.

Goaltender Kael DePape looks like he may be ready to take the next step in his development. With questions surrounding whether Jacob Herman will return to Yorkton from the Swift Current Broncos camp, DePape may become the starting netminder. The southpaw showed that he can be an efficient goalie for the Terriers who can be solid, if not spectacular. At some point in his career DePape can be a starter in the SJHL, and that time may be sooner rather than later.

Team Orange:

They had what could be the Terriers top pairing on defense this year. Parker Jasper returns as a bigger, more confident player. The Regina product was quietly one of the best at camp alongside four year veteran Tyson Janzen. Jasper is a smooth skater, who makes the smart first pass and is difficult to beat. You might not hear his name a lot during a game, and that’s not a bad thing. Jasper is a steady presence on the blue-line and he will be among the best players on the Terriers.

Preseason action for the Terriers is right around the corner. The annual rookie game against the Melville Millionaires will be played on Monday starting at 7:30pm at the Westland Insurance Arena. Then it’s a quick turnaround for Yorkton as they head back to the Rail City to take on the Mils at 7pm on Tuesday at the Horizon Credit Union Centre. Yorkton is expected to showcase a more veteran lineup on Tuesday.