Cheveldayoff touts experience in Prince Albert

Jason Kerr
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When Premier Brad Wall announced his resignation he said renewal would be good for the party, but one of Saskatchewan’s most prominent cabinet ministers is confident that experience will carry the day.

Leadership candidate Ken Cheveldayoff, who served as minister in five different portfolios, said voters are looking for leadership this election. With his experience he’s confident he can deliver.

“I think that the ballet question is going to be, who’s going to be the best premier and who can win the election for the Sask. Party in rural and urban Saskatchewan,” the Saskatoon Willowgrove MLA said. “I like my chances on that question.”

Cheveldayoff made the comments during a trip to Prince Albert on Monday. He spoke to room of voters for more than half-an-hour before taking questions.

The long-time MLA listed food security, entrepreneurship and the federal carbon tax as some of the major province-wide campaign issues. When it comes to Prince Albert, crime, healthcare and a new bridge continue to be gain attention.

Cheveldayoff said Prince Albert was “next on the list” for a new hospital, but wanted the new province-wide health authority to take a look at the issue before getting into details like the cost breakdown.

He also called for an increased presence from police officers, especially in rural areas, and said officers should spend more time in schools in an educational role.

“I think we have to have more of those officers in our schools, being able to be able to talk to people,” he said. “When I talk to law enforcement individuals they tell me that if you can get to kids in that Grade 7 to Grade 9 age group, you can affect their life going forward, and I think that’s something where government has a role.”

While Cheveldayoff never called out any of his current or former leadership competitors by name, he did offer a few criticisms

Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison announced his candidacy for party leader on Aug. 19, but withdrew from the race less than a month later. Cheveldayoff said if voters donate to your campaign you owe it to them to see it through to the end. He plans to do just that.

“I will be there right until Jan. 27,” he said.

However the biggest criticism surrounded the carbon tax. Cheveldayoff said many leadership candidates oppose the tax, but not all can explain why.

“I think all candidates in this election for leader will be against it, but where do you go from here? How do you provide an alternative?” he said.

Cheveldayoff stated that he is unequivocally against the carbon tax, and thinks it’s possible for farmers and crop scientists to come up with new innovations that increase the photosynthesis in plants. He said that would be just as effective as a carbon tax, and better for the economy.

“Given the choice between spending money on innovation and having a carbon tax, I’ll spend money on innovation every time,” he said.

If elected, Cheveldayoff has vowed to revisit the new PST charge on insurance. As part of the 2017 budget, the provincial government added a list of new items PST would apply to, like insurance premiums. Cheveldayoff said he wants to see a commission set up to help implement a better tax system.

Cheveldayoff was first elected as MLA for Saskatoon Silver Springs in 2003, and was reelected in 2007 and 2011. He was elected as MLA for Saskatoon Willowgrove in 2016 after boundary changes were made to the electoral map.

He has served as Minister of First Nations and Media Relations, Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation, Minister responsible for Northern Affairs, Minister of Environment, Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Water Corporation and most recently as the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport.

@kerr_jas • jason.kerr@paherald.sk.ca

Hebig hat trick helps Blades beat Raiders

Jason Kerr
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Hebig hat trick helps Blades beat Raiders

The Prince Albert Raiders struggled to stay out of the penalty box on Saturday and the Saskatoon Blades made them pay.

Cameron Hebig scored three goals, two of which came on the power play, as the Blades downed the Raiders 5-2 in Warman.

The Raiders gave Saskatoon seven power play opportunities in the first two periods, surrendering a total of 27 shots in the process.

The first period was a tight affair, with the Raiders outshooting the Blades 13-12, but falling behind 1-0 on Hebig’s first of the night.

The Blades wasted little time adding to their lead once play resumed in the second. Hebig added another power play goal just two minutes into the frame, giving Saskatoon a 2-0 lead.

Gage Ramsay made it 3-0 Saskatoon before the Raiders got on the board. Sean Montgomery continued his hot streak, firing home a quick shot to pull Prince Albert back within two. Raider captain Curtis Miske and 2017 first overall pick Kaiden Guhle drew the assists.

However goals from Hebig and 2016 second overall pick Kirby Dach put the Blades up 5-1 heading into the final frame.

Montgomery struck again for Prince Albert midway through the third, with assists to Miske and D-Jay Jerome, but that’s as close as things would get, as the Blades skated away from a 5-2 victory.

Rookie Brett Balas was busy for most of the night, stopping 38 of 43 shots in a loosing cause. Overage netminder Logan Flodell made 30 saves for Saskatoon.

The Raiders continue their preseason with a home-and-home series against the Regina Pats. The first game takes place on Sept. 15 at the Brandt Centre in Regina. Puck drop is 7 p.m.

Prince Albert’s final home exhibition game comes a day later on Sept. 16.

Music is the medicine

Jason Kerr
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Music is the medicine

Singer and songwriter Dakota Favel is moments away from going on stage for a concert on the lawn behind Senator Allen Bird Memorial Centre.

On regular day, Favel is a student at Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Prince Albert Campus. On this day, he’ll take the stage for an audience that includes residents from Pelican Narrows, Sandy Bay and other communities evacuated after wildfires began burning across northern Saskatchewan. Unlike regular concerts, it’s all for free.

“It actually takes away a lot of stress,” Favel says. “Music has a type of healing, as you would say. Sitting around you can see the people enjoying themselves. You can hear the laughter and everything. Music, it brings healing.”

Favel is talking about evacuee stress levels, not his own, but he knows a bit about the feeling. His hometown of Ile a la Crosse was one of many forced to evacuate in 2015, during the largest wildfire evacuation in Saskatchewan history.

When asked by organizer Sheryl Kimbley to come out and play, Favel jumped at the opportunity. Now he wants to help evacuees feel a bit of safety and joy, even if only for a few hours.

For the rest of this story, please see the Sept. 9 online or print edition of the Daily Herald.

Smoking ban survey

Jason Kerr
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Smoking ban survey

Residents of Prince Albert will have a chance to weigh in as city council considers creating a smoking ban bylaw within the community.

During Tuesday’s executive committee meeting, council approved a motion to survey local residents about the issue, which could see forms of tobacco like cigarettes, e-cigarettes, marijuana and shisha banned from use in public places like parks, city buildings, festivals and sporting events.

City councillors voted to approve the motion after a presentation from Canadian Cancer Society in Saskatchewan spokesperson Donna Pasiechnik.

The proposal received strong support from a number of councillors, who said Prince Albert was behind the times with their public smoking laws.

“I attend and volunteer at a lot of sporting events in the community, and to have people smoking in the stands is just, in my opinion, wrong,” Ward 5 Coun. Dennis Ogrodnick said. “I shouldn’t have to smell that smoke. There should be a spot provided for people, if they want to smoke. Go over there and smoke your lungs out. That’s fine with me, but don’t sit next to me and disrupt my enjoyment.”

Ward 7 Coun. Dennis Nowoselsky added that smoking drains resources from the healthcare system, and urged his fellow councillors to curb the activity.

“Money is being wasted and lives (and) years are being lost,” Nowoselsky said. “This is a no-brainer. We’re just light-years behind. Let’s get on it.”

While smoking cigarettes is the main issue, marijuana didn’t escape scrutiny in council chambers.

With the federal government set to legalize marijuana in the future, Pasiechnik urged municipal governments to get ahead of the issue.

“Anywhere smoking is banned or the use of tobacco is banned, so should the use of marijuana, regardless of whether it’s medicinal or not,” she told council. “If you need your medicine, you can take your medicine, but not if your smoking this product affects others.”

While not every councillor offered an opinion on a potential ban, all were in favour of polling Prince Albert residents.

Community Services director Jody Boulet said the survey would be available online and on paper for roughly a month. Afterwards, city administrators will comb through the data and present a report to council.

“This will give enough time for us to get the word out through our different channels, to make it available through our different networks and to have those results compiled so we can report back in a timely manner,” he said.

The City of Prince Albert currently operates under a bylaw from 1993, which has some restrictions in placed. According to Boulet, the restrictions are not enforced, but compliance is encouraged.

According to an Ipsos-Reid poll conducted in 2014, 77 per cent of Saskatchewan residents supported a smoking ban on municipal property used for public gatherings. Another 81 per cent supported a ban at sports fields and 91 per cent supported a ban on children’s playgrounds.

The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that smoking adds roughly $168 million in direct healthcare costs, as well as roughly $535 million in indirect costs, like productivity losses.

Flooded with complaints

Jason Kerr
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Flooded with complaints

The proposed adoption of a one-in-500 flood plain plan is not sitting well with Prince Albert residents, who gathered at Riverside Public School on Wednesday evening to voice their displeasure.

The school was the sight of a flood plain update meeting held by the city to answer questions about the 10 new policies that will be voted on at the Sept. 18 session of city council.

Residents from across the East and West Flat neighbourhoods came to voice displeasure at the new one-in-500 designation, which they believe will unnecessarily lower property values and hinder their ability to obtain flood insurance.

“It is very difficult to comprehend why the provincial government holds the City of Prince Albert accountable to a completely outdated regulation and threatens us if we do not comply,” resident Doris Lund said. “The province is ignoring the wishes of the city.”

Lund was one of several residents to voice their displeasure with the move. She called the science behind the decision outdated, and urged the city to fight for a one-in-100 flood designation instead, even if it meant taking the province to court.

Ward 4 Coun. Don Cody, whose ward includes many of the roughly 2,000 properties that will be affected by the change, stopped short of endorsing legal action, but maintained his fierce opposition to any changes.

“I don’t think going to court is really the answer, but sometimes there is such a thing as maybe doing something partly that way to get someone’s attention,” he said.

Like Lund, Cody questioned the outdated science and flood maps used to come to the one-in-500 designation. He added that he’s also had trouble purchasing overland flood insurance, since SGI told him his home sits in an area code where the option isn’t available.

Although he praised the work put in on the 10 new resolutions forward, he said the city hasn’t had enough time to make a proper decision on the subject. Ideally, he’s like city council to vote the plan down.

“I hope city council turns down the bylaw and simply says, ‘let’s ask (the provincial and federal governments) for funds,’ and if we have to throw some in, we will. Then let’s go and get the proper work done.”

City of Prince Albert planning director Craig Guidinger had his hands full answering questions during the meeting, most of which revolved around falling property prices, outdated science and difficulties obtaining insurance.

Afterwards, Guidinger said the city’s research shows 67 properties have been sold in the flood zone during the last two years, with an average price of $204/square foot. That’s up from 61 homes sold in 2014 and 2015 with an average price of $202/square foot. That’s an increase in sales price over the two years before.

He declined to speculate on why residents were having difficulty obtaining insurance, noting that the issue involved individual brokers and not the city.

Guidinger added that he wanted to see the science and mapping updated, but said the final decision rests with city council.

“I think that’s something that we should be doing in the near future. Ultimately that is a council consideration and there are funding options there that we’ll have to look at. In the interim, my focus is getting development to move forward and getting those policies updated so that we can continue to approve (building) projects.”

City council is scheduled to vote on the proposed changes when they receive second and third reading at the next city council meeting.

Mayor Greg Dionne said there’s no chance the city will take the government to court over the issue, but noted the issue is far from settled.

“The rest of us have to seriously have a look at it because we want to move the city forward, and if you look at the last couple of years, we’ve got more provincial and federal funding in this city than we’ve ever had, so do we want to jeopardize that? No, so we’re going to have a hard look at it.”

Dionne himself plans to promote the new bylaw, saying it would give city planners the necessary tools to approve any new developments.

Brandon flood plain

Many residents were not happy with the one-in-500 year flood designation given to the City of Prince Albert, with several noting that other communities like Brandon and Calgary are designated as one-in-100 year areas, despite having worse flooding than Prince Albert.

However, representatives from the City of Brandon say that’s not the case.

According to an email from Allison Collins, the city’s communications manager, Brandon’s one-in-100 designation was changed to one-in-300 after record flooding in 2011.

In 2014 the city received $12.5 million from the Manitoba government and another $12.5 million from the federal government to upgrade the linear dike and drainage system along the north and south sides of the Assiniboine River. The funding also helped upgrade local sewer services and added additional flood protection for Hwy 110, which crosses the river at the city’s east end.

Although the project was officially announced in 2014, construction won’t finish until 2018 at the earliest.

Raiders down Blades for first preseason win

Jason Kerr
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Raiders down Blades for first preseason win

Sean Montgomery broke open a tie game with two third period goals as the Prince Albert Raiders downed the Saskatoon Blades in their second game of the preseason.

Carson Miller also scored for the Raiders, who beat the Blades 3-2 in front of a hometown crowd at the Art Hauser Centre on Friday.

“We got pucks out of our zone and started working them down low, ended up getting a few shots and some went in,” Montgomery said afterwards. “We’ve just got to keep building on that until the start of the season.”

The Raiders opened the scoring early in the third period, when Miller beat Blades starting goalie Nolan Maier to make it 1-0.

Despite outshooting the visitors 10-6 in the opening frame, the Raiders needed a few big saves from Curtis Meger to get into the second period with the lead.

Meger’s biggest first period stop, a desperation stick save, drew rave reviews from his teammates.

“He was huge for us,” Montgomery said. “He got first star and it was well deserved.”

“You can’t plan those out,” a smiling Meger said after the game. “Those saves kind of happen out of the ordinary, but the guy had a wide open net, so I just tried to get something over there. Thankfully I got a stick on it.”

Despite Meger’s efforts, the Blades tied things up at one during a penalty-filled second period. Seth Bafaro converted on the power play roughly five minutes into the second. The two teams wracked up a number of coincidental minors in a chippy 20 minutes of play.

Montgomery broke the deadlock halfway through the final frame, with assists to D-Jay Jerome and Zack Hayes. The Calgary, Alta. product added another goal on a two-on-one exactly five minutes later, providing all the offence Prince Albert would need.

“(It felt) really good,” Montgomery said when asked about his third period offensive outburst. “It’s good to get the first couple (of goals) out of the way.”

The Blades made things close in the final minute when Josh Paterson scored on another power play. However, that’s as close as the visitors got.

Prince Albert’s 3-2 victory was their first of the preseason. They’ll try for two in a row on Saturday, when they head south to Warman for another date with the Blades. Puck drop is 7 p.m.

Following a different path

Jason Kerr
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Following a different path

Every so often Nikita Krivokrasov has to field questions about where he’s from.

Moscow? St. Petersburg? Yekaterinburg? Kazan? Nope. Try Westminister, Col., a suburb located just north of Denver.

“There have always been questions,” the 16-year-old winger said. “I’m sure the clarification’s there that I’m from Colorado. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, as long as you’re playing well.”

Part of the confusion comes from his father, Sergei, who was born in Angarsk, Russia in 1974. The elder Krivokrasov played two seasons for Russian club CSKA Moscow before being drafted 12th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1992 NHL Entry Draft.

Sergei scored 86 goals and 195 points over 10 NHL seasons while representing the Nashville Predators at the 1999 NHL all-star game, and winning a silver medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics.

Unlike his father, who honed his skills with junior squads in the Soviet Union, Nikita developed his game with the Rocky Mountain Roughriders, an under-16 club in Colorado.

“There’s a big difference of course,” he explained.

“Russians are more skilled guys who don’t like to bang around. I’ve got experiences from both countries, and I think that’s why my game has really developed. I know how to bang around and I know how to put the puck in the net every once in a while.”

“Obviously my dad and I had different (first) steps towards hockey,” he added. “I’m just trying to learn everything I can from him and take in as much as I can so I can play this game.”

For Nikita, those first steps continue in Prince Albert. Krivokrasov signed a standard player agreement with the Raiders after attending training camp in 2016. As an undrafted player, his position on the roster was far from a sure thing, but he impressed the Raider brass enough to earn a second look.

He dressed for his first two WHL games at the end of the 2016-17 season, an experience he’s more than thankful for.

“Of course, learning from the older guys, the 20-year-olds, really helped me out. Everyone was really good to me. Getting those games really helped.”

As a 16-year old who will turn 17 in December, the young winger’s chances of getting a roster spot are a lot better than one year ago. Regardless of what happens, he’s focused on building on that solid start in the year ahead.

“Of course, number one is to make the team,” he said when asked about his future goals. “Take it step by step. That’s all I’m looking for. I don’t have, really, too many expectations. I just really want to contribute to this team, play every game I can and be consistent.”

Krivokrasov had his first chance to contribute on Sept. 3, with a first period goal on a dump-in from the blue line. It wasn’t the prettiest goal, but the Colorado product isn’t complaining.

“It’s a goal on the score sheet and that’s all that matters.”

Prince Albert young guns fall to Blades

Jason Kerr
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Prince Albert young guns fall to Blades

A late third period goal from Michael Farren broke a 3-3 tie and handed the Prince Albert Raiders a loss in their opening preseason game.

Nikita Krivokrasov, Spencer Moe and D-Jay Jerome all scored for the Raiders, who fell 4-3 to the Saskatoon Blades in the Young Guns Game on Sunday.

“We pushed pretty hard, but I think they got a few lucky ones on us,” Raider’s’ 2017 second round pick Ozzy Wiesblatt said. “We tried our hardest, so I’m pretty happy (with the effort).”

The visiting Blades opened the scoring at just 37 seconds into the first period when Ethan Mack knocked a rebound past Raider starting goalie Ian Scott.

The Raiders responded roughly eight minutes later, when Nikita Krivokrasov tied the score on a dump-in from the blue-line.

“It was nice to get that first one … and of course I was happy because we tied it up,” Krivokrasov said. “We set the tone early and I wanted that.”

Saskatoon regained the lead early in the second when Arjun Atwal converted a 2-on-1 feed from Farren. However, the lead proved to be short-lived.

A few minutes later, Adam Kadlec stripped a Saskatoon defenceman of the puck and sent a cross-crease pass to Spencer Moe, who scored to make it 2-2.

D-Jay Jerome then gave the Raiders their first lead of the game when he scored shorthanded on a feed from Cole Fonstad.

The Raiders carried a 3-2 lead into the third period before the Blades came back with a shorthanded goal of their own. Payton McIsaac batted home a rebound to make it 3-3, setting the stage for Farren’s game winner with less than two minutes left.

The Raiders mounted a few strong chances as the clock wound down, but a slashing penalty to D-Jay Jerome had the team hemmed in their own end for much of the last minute.

Despite the loss, the younger Raiders remained upbeat about their overall play and their chances of making waves down the road.

“I think we’re going to have a pretty bright future with this organization, so I’m really excited,” Wiesblatt said.

The Raiders are back in action on Sept. 8 when the Blades return for a rematch at the Art Hauser Centre. Puck drop is 7 p.m.

@kerr_jas • jason.kerr@paherald.sk.ca

Team Green wins high-scoring intersquad game

Jason Kerr
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Team Green wins high-scoring intersquad game

The Prince Albert Raider roster combined for a series of offensive fireworks on Saturday at the club’s annual Green and White Game.

Team Green jumped out to a 3-0 first period lead on route to a 7-5 victory over Team White at the Art Hauser Centre.

D-Jay Jerome, Jordy Stallard, Parker Kelly, Kaiden Guhle, Ozzy Wiesblatt and Carson Miller all scored for Team Green, while Curtis Meger and Brett Balas combined to stop 38 shots in a winning effort.

Brayden Pachal, Nikita Krivokrasov, Austin Crossley, Drew Warkentine and Devon Skoleski tallied goals for Team White, with goaltenders Josh Breznik and Andreai Proctor-Ramirez making a combined 35 saves.

The two teams entered the final period tied at three, but Team Green looked to put things away early in the third with three quick goals in a two-minute span.

Parker Kelly scored on a quick shot off a face-off to make it 4-3 before Kaiden Guhle’s point shot found it’s way through a maze of bodies make it 5-3. Ozzy Wiesblatt then deposited a rebound during a goalmouth scramble for a 6-3 lead.

Team White battled back to make it 6-4 when Warkentine fired a shot from the sideboards and into the top left-hand corner. The squad then pulled within one when Skoleski scored on a breakaway.

However that was as close as they got, when Miller sealed the victory with a goal with less than three minutes to play.

Saturday’s game was the last time the team will take to the ice before Sunday afternoon’s Young Guns game against the Saskatoon Blades. Game time is 1 p.m. at the Art Hauser Centre.

Leadership expected from overage players

Jason Kerr
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Leadership expected from overage players

Curtis Miske has seen his fair share of training camps, but this one is special.

For the 20-year-old Miske, this WHL camp is his last one. It’s a milestone that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the big winger.

“It’s a little bittersweet,” said Miske, who tallied 15 goals in 33 games after being acquired by the Raiders last season. “No more fitness testing, which is nice, but it’s a little bit sad. I’ve had most of my good memories here in junior hockey, and lots of them in P.A., so it’s a little sad.”

Miske is one of three overage players in camp with the Raiders this year. He’s joined by Jordy Stallard and new Raider Devon Skoleski, who spent the last two seasons with the Everett Silvertips.

Like Miske, they’re bittersweet about entering their final camp.

“It’s pretty crazy,” said Stallard, who recorded 10 points in eight games with the Raiders last year before injuries ended his season. “Time flies, but I’m looking forward to having a good year and taking a strong leadership role.”

“You know, it’s exciting,” added Skoleski. “I’m just trying to take it all in as this is my last camp. I remember when I was a younger (player), and I can help by being a role model for the younger guys.”

Leadership is a word that comes up quickly when taking with the three overagers. While the each brings different hockey skills to the club, leadership on and off the ice is something that’s needed from all of them.

“They have that wisdom gained by experience,” Raider coach Marc Habscheid said. “They’ve gone through it and those types of things, they can pass on…. They obviously have to be quality hockey players, but they have to be quality people as well.”

“I think it’s just expected for us to take that on our own,” Stallard added. “For most of us, this is our fourth or fifth year … so we’ve got to take on that leadership role and show the younger guys what it’s all about.”

This early in the season, leadership means more than just working hard and showing up on time. It’s a mentorship role, where they veterans answer questions and point younger players in the right direction.

As the overagers say, it’s all about making their teammates feel comfortable.

Competition and the future

It’s not uncommon to see WHL teams carry five or six overage players into training camp, but the Raiders are bucking the trend with only three. That’s the maximum they’ll be able to dress each game once the season starts, but coach Marc Habscheid said doesn’t mean anyone should feel safe.

“We don’t know,” Habscheid said when asked about bringing in additional overage players to compete for a roster spot. “It’s a moving target. We’ve had the two guys (Miske and Stallard) from last year, so we know about them. I don’t know too much about (Skoleski) because he was on the other side of the mountain, so we’ll see how he works.”

The Raider coach said he liked how Miske and Stallard performed last season after being acquired from the Spokane Chiefs and Calgary Hitmen respectively. The club expects both players to take another step forward this season, but Habscheid emphasized that nothing is guaranteed.

“They have to be really productive for us on the ice,” he said. “It’s a great position to be in, but a lot is expected of them.”

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