THe Nipawin Hawks took on La Ronge in Big River during the SJHL's preseason this month. (Clark Stork/northeastNOW Staff)

By Clark Stork

High Hopes

Hawks open regular season Friday

Sep 22, 2023 | 1:02 PM

The hopes are high for this year’s version of the Nipawin Junior Hawks.

Coming off a seventh-place finish last season the Hawks are poised to improve in Tad Kozun’s second full season as general manager and head coach. The club won three of four exhibition games and showed no problem putting the puck in the net. Kozun said the staff is pleased with camp and the tune-up contests.

“We’ve been really happy with the progress we made,” Kozun said of the preseason. “We played four games and only had two practices, we couldn’t implement everything, but guys were able to learn on the fly. That was something we wanted to see, and I know it’s going to filter into the regular season.”

The campaign begins Friday at the Centennial Arena when the Flin Flon Bombers travel to Nipawin to take on the Hawks. The Bombers are expected to compete for the league title again this year after falling in the SJHL Finals two seasons in a row. Kozun said the Hawks have a tough test to open the regular season.

“It’s a good matchup for us to see what they are about. We know they are a great team and Mike [Reagan] does a great job up there. It’s a great test to go out there and have guys earn their keep in our lineup,” he said.

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With ten returnees including 20-year-olds Braxton Buckberger, Maguire Ratzlaff, Joel Mabin, Eric Robbie, and Chase Visser, plus the acquisition of Evan Forrest the buzz around Nipawin is at its highest in Kozun’s short career on the bench. He said the ‘Cage’ will be electric after a week of buildup in the town.

“There was lots going on with Hawks-Mania this week and we had a great turnout. The guys are having fun and getting out there. We’re expecting a big crowd tonight, it’s nice to start at home and for these to see just how passionate this fan base is,” Kozun concluded.

A tailgate party in the parking lot begins at 5 p.m., the doors open at 5:30 p.m., and tickets are cash only at the door.

Faceoff is at 7 p.m.

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clark.stork@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ClarkStork

by Clark Stork

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Hawks open regular season Friday

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