By Gordie
Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex
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| Riece Kack gains speed during an agility drill. |
Since
January of 2020, the Huskies have usually started their off-season training at
the Indoor Training Centre often overseen by Ignite Athletics co-owner and
strength and conditioning coach Joel Lipinski, who is also the Huskies strength
and conditioning coordinator. Workouts often include various drills on the
field turf field at the Indoor Training Centre along with a weight lifting
session at Ignite on the second floor.
The Huskies will continue their off-season workouts at the Indoor Training Centre usually until the snow melts at their storied home in Griffiths Stadium on the U of Saskatchewan grounds.
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| Riece Kack changes direction at a pylon during an agility drill. |
The lead
photo of our photo roundup sees Huskies veteran defensive end Riece Kack take off on an agility drill. The second picture sees Kack turning the corner at a
pylon and going off in a new direction on that same drill.
The third
shot shows offensive lineman Bennett Bloski, who has been on the Huskies roster
for one season, jetting over a series of low hurdles in another drill that
helps with speed, agility and strength. Bloski was a member of the St. Joseph
High School Guardians 6A provincial championship team in 2024.
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| Bennett Bloski jets over a series of low hurdles. |
Along with the pictures from Huskies football, this photo
roundup shows the final stretch of the winter sports season, which saw action
at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval close out. The photo roundup has
images from baseball, cricket, football, skiing, softball and speed skating.
The
pictures in this photo roundup capture some of the memories that are made on
our grounds. In this photo roundup, all of these pictures were taken by our
Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke.
Without further ado, here is a selection of 20 shots we hope you enjoy.
Getting
low for speed
A member of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club focuses on getting low for a sprint down the straightaway at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 11. Lions skaters know the better they master techniques the faster they will skate on the track.
Powering through a corner
A group of skaters from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club skillfully jets around a corner at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 11. The Lions get the most out of their training at the Oval during the two-and-a-half months that it is open.
Skater keys on fun and getting
better
A skater from the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club zips down a straightaway at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 11. The Lions skaters have a blast skating on the Oval along with working on constant improvement.
Hitting warp speed
University of Saskatchewan Huskies running back Aulain Penner gains speed and powers past a pylon during a workout session on February 12 at the Indoor Training Centre. Penner just completed his first season with the Huskies and has made his share of big plays at Saskatoon Minor Football Field during his playing career before joining the Huskies.
Finding his stride
Braiden DeGroot, who is an offensive lineman heading into his second season with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, speeds over a low hurdle’s agility drill with strong form on February 12 at the Indoor Training Centre. DeGroot will be looking to continue the Huskies tradition of strong play along the offensive line.
Making a high snag look easy
A first baseman from the Saskatoon Cubs Under-18 AAA team sets to haul in a high throw for an out during a training session on February 15 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Cubs will be trying to repeat as Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League champions when their 2026 season begins in the spring.
Ready to let it rip
A young pitcher goes through the wind up to deliver a pitch during a 222’s Fastpitch training session on February 25 at the Indoor Training Centre. The 222’s were holding one of their “pitching factories” on this night as pitchers came out from various age groups looking to improve their skills in delivering various pitches.
Textbook block
A catcher makes a perfect block during a plate block drill during a 222’s Fastpitch training session on February 25 at the Indoor Training Centre. The 222’s were holding one of their “catching factories” on this night. The session focuses on plate blocking.
Contact
A cricket hitter nailed a ball during a practice session in a battling tunnel on February 27 at the Indoor Training Centre. During this session, a pitching machine was being used to give the hitters a different challenge. The balls being bowled towards the batters were coming in hot causing the hitter to respond with lightning fast reactions.
Peak concentration
A fielder settles in to make a catch on a fly ball during a 222’s Fastpitch training session on February 27 at the Indoor Training Centre. The 222’s were holding a lengthy session on this day, and the middle portion of the session focused on defensive work in the field.
Incoming
A bowler from the Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon unloads a throw during a training session on February 28 in a pitching lane at the Indoor Training Centre. The Bison team members were polishing up their skills for the upcoming outdoor season in the spring.
Right back at you
A hitter from the Bison Cricket Club Saskatoon drives a ball back in the direction of a bowler during a training session on February 28 in a pitching lane at the Indoor Training Centre. During these practice sessions, hitters work on reacting to tosses, which can see them make hard drives or defensive connections.
Youngsters pack the ski trails
A large group of young skiers swamp the ski trail that run across the Glenn Reeve Fields on March 1. The skiers were taking part in lessons offered by the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club. The instructors from the Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club do a terrific job teaching the youngsters and have put in outstanding work maintaining the trails.
Oval hosts surge of skaters on
final day
March 1 marked the final day for the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval for the 2025-26 winter season. A large number of skaters flocked down to the Oval to enjoy one last public skating session. Lots of fun has been had at the Oval over the years.
Familiar softball faces at the
Oval
Public skating sessions at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval attract people who are involved in various sports who want to go out and have fun. The Oval’s final public skating session on March 1 saw softball coach Tracy Frisky skating with her daughter and softball star pitcher Emma Frisky. The two were out enjoying the day and were out with their entire family during that session.
Ready for live at bats
The Saskatoon Giants Under-18 AAA team utilizes a hitting station they set up at the Indoor Training Centre for some live at bats during a practice session on March 3 at the Indoor Training Centre. There were two home plate spots set up at this station, where batters go head-to-head against pitchers like they would in games.
Got it
A young player makes a fly ball catch during a Going Yard Baseball Academy training session on March 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. During this session, the Going Yard instructors were cycling a group of their younger players through a trio of defensive drill stations.
Bullet throw
An infielder fires off a throw to first base during a practice session for the Saskatoon Giants Under-18 AAA team on March 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Giants players were working on getting their defensive rhythm down.
All in the hand-eye coordination
An outfielder from the Saskatoon Giants Under-18 AAA team goes through a bare-handed catch drill during a practice session on March 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. The drill is great at improving hand-eye coordination.
Joe Gallagher Field rest in final
stretch
Joe Gallagher Field sits at rest under a cover of snow on March 8. In just under two months time, it will be full of softball activity. The conditions might not look like it outside, but the spring season isn’t that far away.
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