YORKTON - The Yorkton Terriers had a respectable 3-1-0-1 record through the SJHL preseason, but new head coach Emery Olauson wants to see more in some key areas headed to the start of the regular season.
“I think we’ve made headway,” said Olauson, adding the group of guys they will move into the regular season with “has earned some trust . . . I think there’s been some trust built through the last six games (they played one against Waywayseecappo).”
At the same time Olauson said he wants more.
“It’s recognizing we’ve got some work to do,” he said.
The start with Olauson said he wants the team to find another gear.
“I want them to play a little bit faster,” he said.
With a quicker pace the coach said players need to react to situations quicker too – “make some better decisions when the game is coming at us.”
Among the better decisions is to not take penalties.
Olauson noted that through preseason “most of the goals against were powerplay. So “discipline needs to improve.”
Olauson said even in reviewing film from the Terriers last season discipline was an issue with the team too often short-handed, so playing under control is a must.
Through the preseason Olauson said the league has impressed. He said when he was last involved with the SJHL and really since it has had the reputation of being a big, physical, somewhat rougher league, but that is not exactly the case.
“The pace of play and skill level has been pretty eye opening,” he said.
The Yorkton Terriers have made one move acquiring the rights to 2004-born forward Tate Schofer from the Weyburn Red Wings in exchange for 2004-born defenceman Ashton Funk.
Funk, 19, played 30 games in a Terriers uniform last season, putting up two goals and seven assists.
Schofer, 19, hails from Regina, and brings plenty of experience to this Terriers forward core.
Schofer had nearly 100 games of Major Junior with the Western Hockey League’s Moose Jaw Warriors.
Games that matter start Friday with the Terriers in Weyburn, with the Red Wings back at the Westland Insurance Arena in Yorkton Saturday.
