SJHL President Laury Ryan and Access Communications Co-Operative Ltd. are pleased to announce that the two sides are extending their partnership in 2010-2011 in a venture that should please hockey fans across Saskatchewan.
Access Communications will for the first time ever, broadcast seven live regular season games to their viewers across the province in 2010-11. As in 2009-10 the league championship Credit Union Cup will be broadcast live to SJHL fans in April. The SJHL and Access Communications will also broadcast 17 games on a tape-delay basis on Access's community channel, Access7, throughout the season.In its initial season, "The SJHL Game Of The Week" was a huge success for both parties as many tuned in to Access7 across Saskatchewan with it culminating in the La Ronge Ice Wolves winning the Credit Union Cup with a dramatic overtime victory over the Yorkton Terriers in a game that was shown live across the province.
Access Communications will begin their live coverage by bringing the SJHL season opening game on Thursday, September 16 when the Estevan Bruins skate with the Millionaires in Melville. In addition to the season opening game, an hour-long pre-game show will focus on the teams, the players, and the upcoming season.
"Access Communications is very excited and proud to be a partner of the SJHL," states Access vice president of marketing and sales Trevor Derksen. "We strongly believe in serving the community and partnering with SJHL is a great way for us to give back. We are happy to expand our coverage this year and know that we will capture and share some great moments on Access7."
Former SJHL Director of Communications Mike Stackhouse is now the league's video co-coordinator and will serve as play-by-play man for the second straight season. Stackhouse is also glad to see the SJHL is broadcast into many Saskatchewan homes.
"I am looking forward to continuing to be a part of this venture that we launched with Access Communications last year. I think by utilizing the professional skills of the folks at Access and having an SJHL employee dedicated to this one venture we can make this a top notch production on a weekly basis." Stackhouse says. "It's exciting to see the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League continuing to set the pace and constantly raise the bar for Junior 'A' hockey across the country."
Besides the play-by-play of several SJHL games, Access Communications subscribers will also see another season of "SJ This Week." The show hosted by Martin Smith and Dan O'Connor is the only half hour weekly program dedicated to the league with highlights and interviews being shown.SJHL President Laury Ryan is thrilled that the partnership between the SJHL and Access Communications is continuing for another season.
"Access Communications was responsible for helping our league grow by bringing the Junior A game into the living rooms of many hockey fans across Saskatchewan." Ryan exclaims. "We are hoping that translates into more viewership this season and additional exposure of our great game. We are very happy that Access is one of our major partners."
About Access Communications Co-operative LimitedWith over 400 employees and volunteers serving 219 communities, Access Communications is a 100% Saskatchewan-owned co-operative dedicated to providing exceptional communications and entertainment services and unique opportunities for local expression through Access7, your local community channel.
Access Communications is the largest television provider in Saskatchewan with offices located in Regina, Weyburn, Estevan, Yorkton, North Battleford, and La Ronge, and offices opening soon in Humboldt and Melfort. www.myaccess.ca
About the SJHLThe Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League has a long-standing tradition of excellence on and off the ice.As the premier Junior 'A' Hockey League in Canada, the SJHL has developed many players that have moved on to professional and education opportunities. The league is dedicated to providing its players with the opportunity to compete at an elite level while striving to achieve their educational and career goals. www.sjhl.caFor more information contact: SJHL President Laury Ryan at 536-7380; SJHL Director of Communications Mitchell Blair at 537-6545; Trevor Derksen Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Access Communications at 565-5360; Lindsay Bryson Communications Manager, Access Communications at 565-6642; Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
2010-2011 SJHL BROADCAST SCHEDULE ON ACCESS 7All games begin at 7:30 with "SJ This Week" starting at 7
LIVE GAMES ON ACCESS 7 Thurs., Sept 16 - Estevan at Melville Thurs., Sept 23 - Kindersley at Yorkton Thurs., Oct 21 - Yorkton at Battlefords Thurs., Nov 18 - Estevan at Battlefords Thurs., Nov 25- Weyburn at Yorkton Thurs., Dec 16 - Flin Flon at Battlefords Thurs., Jan 20 - Estevan at Battlefords
TAPED GAMES Fri., Sept 24 - Nipawin at Melville Game to be shown Sept 30 Fri., Oct 1 - Nipawin at Melfort Game to be shown Oct 7 Fri., Oct 8 - Estevan at Weyburn Game to be shown Oct 14 Fri., Oct 22 - Estevan at Melville Game to be shown Oct 28 Fri., Oct 29 - Kindersley at Weyburn Game to be shown Nov 4 Fri., Nov. 5 - Kindersley at Nipawin Game to be shown Nov. 11 Fri., Nov. 26 - Melfort at Humboldt Game to be shown Dec. 2 Sat., Dec 4 - Battlefords vs La Ronge Game to be shown Dec. 9 Fri., Dec. 17 - Humboldt at Yorkton Game to be shown Dec. 23 Sun., Jan. 2 - Weyburn at Estevan Game to be shown Jan. 6 Fri., Jan. 7 - La Ronge at Humboldt Game to be shown Jan. 13 Fri., Jan. 21 - Estevan at Kindersley Game to be shown Jan. 27 Sat., Jan. 29 - Notre Dame at Yorkton Game to be shown Feb. 3 Sat., Feb. 5 - Nipawin at La Ronge Game to be shown Feb. 10 Fri., Feb. 11 - Melville at Melfort Game to be shown Feb. 17 Fri., Feb 18 - Melville at Weyburn Game to be shown Feb, 24
