There was a lot of big news from the SJHL's semi-annual league meetings in Melfort on the weekend, including the Bruins being awarded next year's Hall of Fame weekend.
The fourth annual Hall of Fame festivities, which include a Bruins game and an induction ceremony, will be held in Estevan. No date has been announced yet but it will be between late October and mid-November. Weyburn, Humboldt and Yorkton have hosted the event the last three years.
The induction class is usually made up of former players and builders from the team that is hosting the weekend. That said, nominations are open to anyone associated with the SJHL. The Bruins have a rich history and there will surely be lots of good candidates.
"I think it's important, especially when it comes to the players coming into the league, because some of them may not be aware of the past of some communities and how long teams have been around," said SJHL president Bill Chow. "Some people do not realize that Estevan used to be where the New Westminster Bruins came from in the old WHL days things like that, I think, are important to realize."
There were other major items arising from the meetings. Arguably the biggest is that the league is reducing the limit for 20-year-olds on each team. It will drop from nine to eight next year, and then down to seven in 2013-14.
The current limit of nine per team is the highest of any CJAHL league. Chow said the move will attract more younger players and in turn more scouts.
"We would definitely like to attract the younger players and provide those younger players with an opportunity to play in the league," said Chow. "The last thing anybody would want to see is having a younger player sitting on the bench. Coaches still have to win, but they have to develop too. It's a balancing act and that's what we have to get to."
The league is also cutting its schedule from 58 games to 54. Teams will now play division rivals eight times each, and the other teams only twice. This will cut one whole road swing out of each team's schedule, helping to reduce travel costs. Along with more weekend games, it will also help keep younger players in school, and older players at their full-time jobs.
"When we lower our age group and we're trying to attract that younger player, we now have to consider the fact that those younger players should be in school," Chow said.
Finally, the SJHL Showcase will be held in Melfort Dec. 14-15.
