Nipawin product Finley Radloff (with facemask) made his SJHL debut for his hometown team Saturday against the Melfort Mustangs. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

SJHL Debut

Radloff makes Hawks debut; Nipawin to host Flin Flon

Jan 4, 2022 | 9:49 AM

Despite a 5-1 loss to the Melfort Mustangs Saturday at the Centennial Arena, the evening was one 16-year-old Finley Radloff won’t forget.

The 2005-born forward made his debut for his hometown team, being called up as an affiliate player from the under-18 AAA Tisdale Trojans. Radloff said after the match he enjoyed his first Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) game.

“It’s really fun to get my first game under my belt, it was lots of fun,” Radloff said.

The skilled forward didn’t get on the scoresheet with his hometown junior club, but he is having a solid year with the Trojans. Radloff has scored six goals and added nine assists in 27 games. He said getting the call from Hawks head coach Tad Kozun to suit up was a dream come true.

“It was kind of last minute but I’m just happy I got the call and ended up playing this game,” Radloff added.

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Being from Nipawin Radloff has always cheered for the Hawks looked up to the players that came before him. He said being in the dressing room was a neat feeling and something he will remember for a long time.

“It’s fun to see all the guys and see how much I have to step up and be like them,” he said.

Radloff will return to the Trojans for their second half of the season. He could potentially join the Hawks for the remainder of the season once the under-18 campaign concludes. With the possibility of more COVID cases among hockey teams Radloff could be called upon again by the club. Kozun, a hometown product who also played for the Hawks said Saturday night should be thought of fondly by the young call-up.

“It was awesome, it was nice to get a hometown kid in there,” Kozun said Saturday. “He’s having a really good year in Tisdale and from where he was at the start of the year to now, he’s taken great strides and that’s really nice to see. It’s nice to see there is some hometown kids coming. To have a hometown kid that looks like he’s going to be a big part of the future it’s awesome for the fans, and his family.”

Radloff said he expects himself to make the Hawks next year as a 17-year-old.

As for the Hawks, the club will try to shake off a four-game losing streak when the Flin Flon Bombers visit the Centennial Arena Tuesday. The Hawks are reeling after four straight losses to the Mustangs.

“With Flin Flon here on Tuesday it doesn’t get easier,” Kozun said of the matchup. “We will make sure the guys are ready and get back to work. We will watch some video and get ready to go.”

The Hawks sit two points back of a playoff spot heading into the contest. So far this year Nipawin has one win and three losses against the Bombers.

Faceoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork