Looking to grow their annual general meeting and provide more insight into the team and league, the Moose Jaw Warriors hosted a hot stove discussion on Wednesday that included General Manager Alan Millar, Head Coach Tim Hunter and WHL Commissioner Ron Robison.

The topics ranged across the spectrum for both the team and league with fans in attendance getting the chance to ask their questions as well.

Robison spoke about a number of issues for the league and ways that they’re looking to grow with the 2017-18 WHL regular season set to open on Friday.

On-Going Lawsuit

One of the big topics that Robison discussed was the lawsuit that the Western Hockey League is facing in regards to players’ status as employees.

Robison said it’s something that could cost the league a third of its teams if it were to be successful.

“Having been registered in the Canadian amateur hockey system since day one, over 50 years ago, we’ve always been under the view that we’re amateur hockey players, so it’s really a government matter,” said Robison.

“The Saskatchewan government was the first province in the country to recognize our players as amateur athletes not as employees. Saskatchewan has led the way and we’ve now had success in B.C. and Washington state, and we’re soon to have success in Manitoba and Oregon, but we’re having a little trouble in Alberta, they’re not supporting our positon.”

Robison stated that the value of the education benefit package surpasses what teams could pay players financially and would make it hard on smaller market teams to survive.

Warriors Going Strong

Robison was in the room to hear the Warriors announce a profit loss of over $400,000 for the 2016-17 season, but he was happy to talk about the success that Moose Jaw has seen over the past decade.

“Everyone in this room can be very, very proud of how far this franchise has come and the only reason it has come this far is because the community rallies behind this team in a big, big way,” said Robison.

“I’ve monitored this franchise for a many, many years and to see the financial results today and the support from the community is really a great news story for the league.”

According to Robison, the Warriors have moved out of the small market team category and firmly entrenched in the mid-market category now with the move into Mosaic Place and continued growth in season ticket numbers.

Warriors head coach Tim Hunter (left), WHL Commissioner Ron Robison and Warriors G.M. Alan Millar during the hot stove discussion on Wednesday at Mosaic Place. (Photo: Marc Smith)

Exciting Season Ahead in Sask.

Saskatchewan will be a hockey province over the next year with the CHL Canada-Russia Series coming to Moose Jaw and Swift Current this November, as well as the 100th Memorial Cup being hosted in Regina in May.

“It’s going to be a great year for hockey fans in Saskatchewan,” said Robison.

The East Division is also expected to be one of the more competitive divisions in the WHL this season.

Robison said the hockey in the province is highlighted by some great rivalries like the one between the Warriors and Pats, which he feels are stronger rivalries than ones seen in the NHL, or the OHL and QMJHL.

“The Pats-Warriors rivalry will be at a level that we’ve never seen before,” said Robison on this season.

Big Strides in Player Development & Experience

Robison feels that the player development and experience that they’re able to provide the players is the most crucial area for the WHL.

“There’s no question from a skill development, quality of play, quality of facilities, coaching and the entire hockey experience has never been better,” said Robison. “We pride ourselves on being world leaders in that particular area.”

The WHL Scholarship Fund continues to see major growth with Robison projecting that 55-percent of graduating players this season will be using the scholarship fund.

“It’s surpassed the number of players moving into the professional ranks, so the support that we receive in that area is critical,” said Robison.

According to Robison, the WHL is also focused on providing safe environments for players off the ice and have a police officer assigned to every team in the league to provide added support.

The WHL regular season opens on Friday across the league with eight games.