Warren Shymko ended his Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League career on a bright note with the Kindersley Klippers.
Although the Klippers fell to the Estevan Bruins in the Sherwood Division Survivor Series, Shymko stood tall in the blue paint, posting a 2.13 average and a .929 save percentage throughout three games.
"It was unfortunate we couldn't win, but I was happy with how I played," said Shymko. "I thought those three games were some of my better performances."
The Calder, Sask., native suited up for the Yorkton Terriers for two years prior to his 20-year-old season in Kindersley. The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder's time in Yorkton stands out in his SJHL career.
"My two years with the Terriers was the highlight of my junior hockey career," said Shymko, who suited up for 59 regular-season games in Yorkton. "We were a good team and going to the league finals was a great experience. I loved every minute of it in Yorkton."
Before making the jump to the SJHL, Shymko played hockey in Saskatoon for three years. He played two seasons with the Saskatoon Contacts in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League and spent time between the Saskatoon Royals and Saskatoon Westleys in the Prairie Junior Hockey League.
"Playing with a team with such a great history like the Contacts was an honour," said Shymko, who turned 21 in January. "You know they always put together a strong team and I was happy to be a part of that."
"I played in the PJHL because I was sent down from the Western Hockey League and the Terriers didn't have an opening. It was a steppingstone. It helped prepare me for the SJHL."
Shymko doesn't want to hang up the pads just yet. He plans on going on to play puck for a secondary school in the future.
"Right now, I'm just taking a step back and looking at my options," he said. "I'm looking into Division 1 NCAA schools and CIS. But I don't know what I'll do yet."
