The Yorkton Terriers became a member of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) in 1972. They then went on to win their first league championship in 1983.
Their most recent championship in Saskatchewan came in 2014, a year they also won the Western Canada Cup and Royal Bank Cup, which is now known as the Centennial Cup, Canada's Junior A National Championship.
Today, more than 50 years after joining the SJHL, Yorkton remains a member club in the league; however, the future of the team is uncertain at this point. In a recent release to the public, Yorkton outlined its financial struggles, and while many Junior A teams struggle on a financial basis year by year, Yorkton's struggles could ultimately cost the team their spot in the Saskatchewan circuit.
"We have no money, it's as simple as that and we aren't going to be able to pay bills," said Corvyn Neufeld, the team's president. "If something doesn't change significantly, we may not even be able to finish the current season. It was a hard realization for our board to come to and we felt our community needed to know."
Yorkton has struggled to get stands in the building in recent years which is something that has Corvyn baffled.
"I'm a hockey fan so it's hard for me to understand why people don't want to be in the stands and enjoying themselves," said Neufeld. "We had a tough start, but we have been very solid since Christmas and we're in a heated playoff push. Junior hockey is fast-paced and it's very exciting."
As the organization looks to fill the seats moving forward, they have started a campaign called "Save the Terriers". This campaign is to sell season seasons for the 2024-25 season, a season that is promised to be another exciting one in Yorkton. Single tickets cost just $200 for the entire season while a family pack (consisting of two adults and two youths) goes for just $400. If you purchase your ticket throughout February, you will be in a draw for a $4,000.00 travel voucher and the draw for that will take place on March 1.
"I just can't imagine our community without this organization, we have been here for more than 50 years," offered Neufeld. "Many alumni have stayed, started families, and started businesses here. I hope people will step up to get some season tickets and support us for the remainder of this season as well, it's going to be a very exciting stretch run."
Corvyn is also welcoming you down to the rink if you're in Dauphin and surrounding areas.
"We would love to see some of our Manitoba neighbours in the crowd, so come on down," ended Neufeld.
