Nipawin captain Cole Beamin embraces fellow graduating teammate Christian Albertson following the Hawks' final game of the 2021-22 SJHL season. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

Season Over

Hawks conclude season in North Battleford

Mar 9, 2022 | 12:17 PM

The Nipawin Hawks season ended abruptly Tuesday when the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) club concluded their regular season with a 7-1 loss in North Battleford against the North Stars.

The Hawks will not go to the postseason and finished in 11^th place, their lowest seeding since the 2010-11 season, the last time the club didn’t make the playoffs. Interim head coach Tad Kozun said after the game that the season has been a difficult one.

“It’s really tough, there’s a lot of great kids in that room. From my standpoint taking over in December and coming on at the start of the year, we’ve all been through a lot. It’s tough to see it come to an end,” Kozun said.

The team finished the season with a record of 17 wins, 35 regulation losses and another six losses in a shootout. Nipawin’s 40 points are 15 points shy of the eighth-place team’s total as the season winds down this week. Kozun said the results aren’t acceptable for his hometown team and he hopes to be part of turning the franchise’s record around in the future.

“This wasn’t up to the standards of the Nipawin Hawks and we’re going to make sure we’re not here again. I truly believe we can get there, and I am at the helm,” he said.

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Since Kozun took over for Doug Johnson on the morning of Dec. 4, the Hawks won seven games, lost 23 in regulation and another in a shootout. Despite the record Kozun said being behind the bench of his alma mater is a special feeling.

“To be able to do this is a dream come true,” he admitted. “Going through your playing career and playing for the Hawks and then obviously moving on and coming back to do this has been a lot of fun. I really hope I get to continue doing this, I am having a blast.”

The club finished the season with just three graduating players on the roster including four-year defenseman Cole Beamin, two-year forward Christian Albertson, and Kye Whillans who was acquired in October. That leaves a long list of players eligible to return next season, Kozun said

“The wins and losses always seem to define a team but when you look at our group right now there are so many guys eligible to come back, it’s going to be fun to watch,” he concluded.

Nipawin will hold their awards banquet on Friday at the Legion Hall.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

“The wins and losses always seem to define a team but when you look at our group right now there are so many guys eligible to come back it’s going to be fun to watch,” he concluded.

by Clark Stork

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Hawks conclude season in North Battleford

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