Monday, November 21, 2011

SJHL HALL OF FAME 2011

Press Release

Yorkton was the host of the 2011 SJHL Hall of Fame Weekend, which was capped off on Saturday night with the induction banquet.

Gerry James served as the Coach/Manager/Owner of the Yorkton Terriers at one point, while also coaching the Melville Millionaires and Estevan Bruins in separate stints. James led the Terriers to the SJHL championship in 1982-1983, their first ever title. Gerry also holds the distinction for playing in both the Stanley Cup Final (Toronto Maple Leafs) and Grey Cup (Winnipeg Blue Bombers) in the same season.

Gene Krepakevich has been involved with the Terriers as a volunteer since 1966, which of course pre-dates the SJHL franchise, which came to be in 1972. His volunteering began with the Senior Terriers, and continues up to this day with the Juniors. 45 years and counting as a volunteer, including a decade as team President.

Darrell Spelay holds league records that in all likelihood, will never be touched. In four SJHL seasons, and 246 games, Spelay scored 243 goals, and a total of 451 points, an average of about 60 goals and 112 points per season. He was on the '83 team that won Yorkton's first ever championship, and continues to support the club, as a local businessman in Yorkton.

Terry Struthers started his broadcasting career in Weyburn, and after three seasons there, moved to Yorkton, where he worked at GX94 Radio from 1988 to 2007. In 20 years, he called Play-by-Play for roughly 2000 hockey games, most of which in the SJHL, with the Terriers, and also the Melville Millionaires and Lebret Eagles. Career highlights include broadcasting from Royal Bank Cups in Sudbury, Melfort, Yorkton, and Streetsville, where the Terriers lost in the RBC Final to Burnaby in 2006.


(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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