Wayway Coach/GM Thrilled!

Wayway Coach/GM Barry Butler (Courtesy waywaywolverines.com)

It's no wonder why Barry Butler's a happy man today, after Sean Collins became the first Wolverine in team history to be drafted to the NHL. Collins went to the Columbus Blue Jackets in Saturday's 7th Round of the NHL Entry Draft. I had a chance to talk to Barry this morning, and he was extremely happy for Sean, and for the Wolverines' program.

Butler: It's great for that to happen for Sean, he worked very hard, and that's just part of the way, there's still a lot of work to be done, it's just a door open. But it's just tremendous for the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, our program in Wayway, and the community of Waywayseecappo.

CS: Did you know this was coming, because we saw a Columbus scout at at least one of your games, so did you know this was possible and specifically with Columbus?

BB: Yeah, we talked about it quite a bit with the Columbus organization. There were a couple other teams courting him as well, Montreal was courting him, Tampa was, but Columbus were the ones that really had the most interest in him, it started early in the winter, and their interest grew as the season progressed and into the playoffs. We were kind of told it was going to be the 6th or 7th round, but you don't get too excited, because you never know, things change so much in hockey, so we kept it low key, and just see what happens.

CS: And he is the first Wolverine to get drafted straight from Wayway that's correct?

BB: Yes that's correct. Cody McLeod's playing with Colorado, but Cody went through the free agent route to make it.

CS: They were saying on the draft, if a college player plays his full four years, he becomes a free agent. Can you see Columbus maybe pressuring Sean to opt out of school a year or two early?

BB: That's a possibility. The other thing that we think here, is in two years Sean will make it pretty tough on Columbus to leave him in college. He'll be a tremendous college player in a couple years, once he gets a grasp, he just works hard, he's dedicated, he knows what he wants, and we're confident he's going to get it.

CS: You mentioned how hard he works, especially in the off-season. What kind of things does he do that goes above what other guys might do.

BB: He's got his dad's support in Saskatoon, they work out their own program, they work together. I don't think he does anything any different than anyone else but he probably works harder than anyone else. There are no shortcuts for Sean Collins and I think that's the difference.

CS: You touched on it already, but this can only mean good things for the league as well, sometimes it has the label that players have to go to other league to hope for a scholarship or pro tryout, but that's probably the best thing that could happen, one of your own getting drafted to the NHL.

BB: For sure. The door's open. It's just great for the MJHL, and for our program. The proof is in the pudding that it can be done from Manitoba, and from a small market team. It's just great all around.

*Barry also got me a contact number for Collins, watch for that in the coming days... likely this afternoon or tomorrow.

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The Yorkton Terriers' AGM is tomorrow already. We just received a call that they're moving it from upstairs at the Gallagher Centre to the Curling Rink. Reason being? They're expecting a HUGE crowd. Like 200-300 people. Get there early! Especially if you'd like a $5 membership to vote.

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Yesterday's Results

Western Major Baseball League
Sherwood Park Dukes 5 Yorkton Cardinals 3 (F/20 innings)(Conclusion of Thursday's suspended game. 1-1 after 11 innings)
Sherwood Park Dukes 9 Yorkton Cardials 6
Saskatoon Yellow Jackets 1 Okotoks Dawgs 7
Weyburn Beavers @ Moose Jaw Miller Express (PPD, Rained out)
Medicine Hat Mavericks 3 Lethbridge Bulls 0
South East Senior Baseball League
Canora Supers 7 Grandview Lakers 4
Canora Supers 20 Grandview Lakers 5
Bantam "AA" Tournament in Wolaston
Yorkton Speedy Cash Cardinals beat Estevan 5-0, and Dickinson 9-3
Pee Wee "AA" Baseball
Regina Buffalos 3 Yorkton 4
Regina Buffalos 2 Yorkton 7
Sask. Under 16 boys Premier Soccer League
ACSC 7 Yorkton Dynamo 0
Prairie Gold Lacrosse League
Yorkton Bulldogs 20 Estevan Big Dogs 12
(Bulldogs won 3 straight Fri-Sat-Sun)