Veeman, Dallaire lead Lions’ Canada Winter Games medal parade

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Luca Veeman, right, leads Fergus English down a straightaway.

Luca Veeman and Serena Dallaire thrived under the new experience of the Canada Winter Games spotlight.

Together, they led the medal haul for the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club and Team Saskatchewan at the Multi-sport event that took place from February 18 to March 5 across Prince Edward Island with long track speed skating taking place at the Halifax Oval in Halifax, N.S. Both were competing in their first Canada Winter Games.

Veeman, who was Saskatchewan’s flag bearer for the opening ceremonies, took home five medals in long track speed skating. Dallaire captured a pair of long track medals.

In total, Lions skaters accounted for eight of Saskatchewan’s 20 medals at the Canada Winter Games. The medal wins gave Saskatchewan a fast start at the games as speed skating was held during the first week of competition from February 18 to February 25.

Veeman won gold in the men’s mass start race, silver in the men’s 1,500-metre race, and bronze medals in the 1,000-metre and 5,000-metre men’s races. In the men’s team pursuit, Veeman teamed with Lions members Bon Lowe, Fergus English and Daniel Pauli to claim the silver medal. Lowe captured silver in the men’s 5,000-metre race edging out Veeman by just over six seconds.

Earlier in February, Veeman skated for Canada at the International Skating Union’s Junior World Cup Final and World Junior Speed Skating Championships both held in Inzell, Germany. Those international appearances lead to Veeman being the flag bearer. Having represented Team Saskatchewan at the Canada Summer Games that were held in the Niagara Region of Ontario in August of 2022, the 17-year-old had a great appreciation for being named the flag bearer.

“Being nominated as the flag bearer is almost hard to believe,” said Veeman, who stands 5-foot-10. “I went to the summer games in Niagara in 2022.

“I got to do the closing ceremonies and walk out with Team Sask. It was cool moment where I kind of realized what it means to represent your province. It was a real cool thing to experience those closing ceremonies, and it just made it so much more special walking in and leading Team Sask at these games.

“It was definitely a little bit of added pressure being named the flag bearer, but it was a pretty incredible experience all in all.”

Serena Dallaire won two bronze medals at the Canada Winter Games.

Veeman was pleased he could live up to that honour by winning the medals he did. The men’s mass start race was Veeman’s final race at the Canada Winter Games, and he was pumped to close out with a gold medal win.

“It was such a great games,” said Veeman, who attends Grade 12 at Walter Murray Collegiate. “I think every medal just felt so special.

“In a sense, it almost felt like every medal was like a weight lifted off my shoulder. With the pressure of being the flag bearer, each medal was like a little bit of a weight off the shoulders. I’d say the gold at the end was just such a good moment.”

Dallaire went into the Canada Winter Games in search of personal best performances and wasn’t expecting to medal. The 17-year-old jumped into the spotlight for Saskatchewan capturing bronze medals wins in the women’s 1,500-metre and 3,000-metre races.

“I really didn’t have any expectations,” said Dallaire, who stands 5-foot-4. “I knew that I was in the middle of the pack.

“I just wanted to perform like what I knew I could do in Calgary (at the Olympic Oval). I just wanted to execute my race plans and do the best I could. I really just wanted to have fun.

“I didn’t really expect to get any medals out of it, so I’m happy with how it all turned out.”

Dallaire won her first bronze medal in the 1,500-metre race. She skated her race early in that day and was surprise to find out her time was going to hold up for a medal.

“I was the first race of the day,” said Dallaire, who is completing her Grade 12 studies at Walter Murray Collegiate. “I didn’t know I won until like a while after, so after the race, I was just kind of glad it was over.

“A few minutes after people were telling me they think I was third. It was like surreal, because I didn’t expect it. I was really happy.”

Luca Veeman won five medals at the Canada Winter Games.

She was pumped to follow up that skate with a bronze medal win in the women’s 3,000-metre race a couple of days later.

“I just wanted to skate the best I could and perform,” said Dallaire. “Because it was like near the end, we were kind of tired.

“It was still the same feeling inside. I was excited and really happy to win the medal.”

Veteran Lions coach Tim Comfort, who is the Saskatchewan Speed Skating Association’s provincial coach and technical director, served as the long track coach for Team Saskatchewan at the Canada Winter Games.

He was proud of the performances by all the Saskatchewan skaters and was happy to see the multiple medal wins by Veeman and Dallaire, who have put in a tonne of work at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval over the years.

“Saskatchewan speed skaters had a strong Canada Winter Games,” said Comfort. “In particular, Saskatoon club skaters really performed well.

“Luca and Serena’s success has come from hours and hours of hard work pursuing their dream.”

Veeman said his experience at the Canada Winter Games and the ISU’s Junior World Cup Final and World Junior Speed Skating Championships made for a memorable February. He said those experience’s will help his confidence going into big meets in the future.

“It was a big month for getting some big competitions under my belt like my international debut and Canada Games is a big one,” said Veeman. “It would help with my confidence going into the big meets just kind of reminding me of what I need to do to race my best.

“It is not changing things for the big competitions. It is just staying level headed and relaxed going into every race. That is what works.

“I know that if I get hyped up and I try and do something differently because I want this race to be so better than the last one, it is not going to work out in the end. I just have to stay relaxed and do what I always do.”

Serena Dallaire will reflect fondly on the Canada Winter Games.

For Dallaire, she said in the future when she is at big meets she can look back on her time at the Canada Winter Games to remember how positive experiences at big meets and events can be.

“It is a pretty big meet, because Canada Games happens every four years,” said Dallaire. “This was my only time to do it.

“It was just a fun experience.”

For more information about the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club, feel free to check out their website at www.slspeedskating.com.

Oval and Indoor Training Centre sights highlight photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Skaters get set for a mass start at the John Sands Classic on Jan. 15.

Life just keeps rocking and rolling at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex even in the winter months.

Over the past 30 days at the Complex there have been a lot of highlights coming from the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval and the Indoor Training Centre. Skiers have also been having a great time on the trails that have been created on the Glenn Reeve Fields. Our continuing photo roundups continue to show the memories that can be made at the Complex in the winter months.

One of the biggest highlights over the past 30 days was the fact the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club was able to hold the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet for the first time since January of 2019. The Lions weren’t able to hold this meet in January of 2020 due to weather conditions being too frigid, and the meet was cancelled in January of 2021 and 2022 due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The John Sands Classic was held this past January 14 and 15 in weather conditions that were perfect for and outdoor speed skating meet. The weather conditions created frost on the trees that developed wonderful scenic conditions for the races.

Our lead photo from January 15 shows a mass start for one of the younger age group races on the second day of the John Sands Classic held at the Oval. The frosted trees in the background conveyed the artistic feel that the day was perfect.

At the Indoor Training Centre, athletes continued to train for sports that are played in the spring, summer and fall, while other athletes took part in winter league action in their respective sports.

These photos 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 13 shots we hope you enjoy.

Night time speed

A member of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club builds up speed cutting the perfect corner during a practice at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on January 12. The practice session was an upbeat one with the start of the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet just a couple of days away.

Race time at John Sands Classic

On January 14, skaters took part in race action at the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet for the first time since January of 2019. The skaters charge out of the corner to the front straightaway during a mass start race.

Clockwork focus in the timing booth

The crew in the timing booth at the K+S Potash Canada Multi-Sports Centre oversee the race action on the first day of the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet held on January 14 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. The efforts of the timing booth crew ensured both days of the meet ran very efficiently.

Striding at perfect pace

Fergus English focuses on maintaining a consistent stride during a 5,000-metre race on the second day of the John Sands Classic Long Trace Meet held on January 15 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. English skillfully handed the test of endurance.

The dog days of sled training

Members of University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football Team take part in a sled training session on January 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Huskies put in their work under the watchful eye of Ignite Athletics co-owner and strength and conditioning coach Joel Lipinski, who is one of the best at getting athletes to the next level.

A slick toss

A competitor makes a slick toss during Saskatoon Ultimate Disc-sport Society (SUDS) league action on January 27 at the Indoor Training Centre. SUDS provides a great outlet for athletes of all levels and abilities to have a tonne of fun and show off their skills.

Hilltops start journey for 2023

The storied Saskatoon Hilltops began their on-field preparations for the upcoming 2023 CJFL season with a training session on January 29 at the Indoor Training Centre. This Hilltops session contained a mix of returning veterans and new recruits.

Footwork focus at Valkyries camp

A player focuses on her footwork during a winter camp session held by the Saskatoon Valkyries of WWCFL on January 29 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Valkyries hold the annual winter camp for players 14 years of age and older. The camp helps new players learn the game and veteran players sharpen their skills.

Long ball drive

A hitter hammers a baseball with power during a Going Yard Training Centre hitting session on January 31, 2023 at the Indoor Training Centre. The athletes at this hitting session all showed off sweet strokes.

Sweet snag

An infielder hauls in a tough catch at shortstop during a Saskatoon Lasers softball training session on February 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Lasers were working on defensive skills in both the infield and outfield.

All in the setup

An outfielder sets in perfect position to execute a catch and throw at a Saskatoon Phantoms training session on February 2 at the Indoor Training Centre. Many Phantoms groups were working on all sorts of defensive skills at this session.

Skaters arrive in numbers

A sizable group of people turn out on February 5 for a Sunday fun day public skating session at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. Like past years, people continue to turn out to the Oval in big numbers for public skating.

Loppetapalooza a hit

Loppetapalooza was hit on our ski trails on February 5. The Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club put on Loppetapalooza, and the event brought families out in droves. Lots of joy was had by all.

John Sands Classic is back at Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval

Lions host first long track meet since 2019

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Serena Dallaire, right, and the Lions skate at a recent practice.

Serena Dallaire is happy the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club will have the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet back, and she added it is huge to the club’s younger members, who see it as the highlight of their skating season.

Dallaire, who is one of the Lions 17-year-old elite level skaters, speaks from experience, because she remembered the annual home long track meet being the biggest thing in her world when she was a young skater.

“I feel like it really is important for the younger kids, because I know that when I was younger I was like five or six skating, and I was skating as like a fundamental,” said Dallaire, who has been skating for around 12 years. “I was watching all the older kids skate, and I was like, ‘I can’t wait to be just like them.’

“I feel like it is really important for the younger kids to have like someone to look up to just in those meets. That is why it is important for the older kids to go. It is so important to have those role models.”

For the first time since January of 2019, the John Sands Classic will be returning to the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. It is slated be held over two days on Saturday, January 14 and Sunday, January 15 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.

The John Sands Classic wasn’t able to be held in January of 2020 due to weather conditions being too frigid. In January of 2021 and 2022, the annual meet was cancelled due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Frigid weather isn’t expected to be a concern this year as temperatures are expected to be around -7 C for both days of the upcoming John Sands Classic. Those conditions should provide perfect days for speed skating.

While Dallaire’s competitive focus is on peaking for major national level competitions, the Grade 12 student at Walter Murray Collegiate and the rest of the Lions older elite level skaters will all take part in the John Sands Classic. For the older skaters, Dallaire said the home long track meet is important in a different way, because you interact the club’s younger skaters in a race event environment.

Serena Dallaire made the Top 30 RBC Future Olympians list.

Dallaire said it feels like a full circle moment for her being an older skater meeting the club’s younger skaters and realizing they look up to her.

“It is a different experience being the older kid, because you kind of have to set what it is like for the younger kids and like be a good role model and do everything right,” said Dallaire, who stands 5-foot-4. “It is still fun, because all the younger kids like look up to you, and it is so cute seeing them like saying ‘oh good race’ after your race.

“It reminds me of when I was younger. I love watching the younger kids just like having that passion for it, because that was me, when I was younger as well. I think it is really good.”

Veteran Lions coach Tim Comfort, who is the Saskatchewan Speed Skating Association provincial coach and technical director, said there are no qualifications for the John Sands Classic and the event provides a way for skaters to take part in a meet environment without having to go to a provincial or national championship. He expects to draw skaters from across the Prairie provinces.

“We hope to get people from Manitoba,” said Comfort. “We did for our short track meet.

“We hope to also get people from Alberta. We did for our short track meet, so hopefully, that happens again, and we get 80 to 100 people here skating. There will be skaters from Melville, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Regina and Prince Albert all from Saskatchewan.”

Be it a practice or a meet, Comfort said it is always special to skate at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval. He said the current Lions club members are aware the Oval is the place where superstar Catriona Le May Doan, who competed in four Winter Olympics, grew up skating and first learned the skills to become a competitor in speed skating. Overall, Comfort said the Oval has a natural feel.

“You come here, and it’s just the purest thing, because you’re outside,” said Comfort. “The snow is in your face, and the wind is in your face and the lights at night.

A group of Lions skaters speed down a straightaway.

“It is kind of a magical place. For most of them, it doesn’t matter how fast they are in a race. The workouts are invigorating.

“You go home, and you’re tired and happy.”

Comfort added that speed skating is a volunteer rich sport and numerous volunteers help make the Lions Speed Skating Club and John Sands Classic go. He gave a tip of the hat to Rob Makowsky for stepping up to be the Lions new president, and to former president Chris Veeman for taking up a new role as the president of the Saskatchewan Speed Skating Association. Veeman is also the meet coordinator for the Bob Sands Classic.

Comfort added Mike Dallaire, who is Serena’s father, is handling the electronic timing at the John Sands Classic and will also handle the electronic timing at the Canada Winter Games, which start February 18 and run to March 5 with most events being held across Prince Edward Island. Speed Skating runs February 18 to 25 with short track events to be held at the Eliyahu Wellness Centre Canada Games Place in North Rustico, P.E.I., while the long track events are set for Halifax Oval in Halifax, N.S.

“We have a rich tradition of volunteers here,” said Comfort.

Serena Dallaire will be heading to the Canada Winter Games too representing Saskatchewan on the female long track team. This past Dec. 6, Dallaire was named to the Top 30 RBC Future Olympians list along with Lions clubmate Fergus English.

Last season, current Lions skater Oskar Stack-Michasiw, while former Lions members Daniel Pauli, Bon Lowe and Luca Veeman were named to the Top 30 RBC Future Olympians list. Pauli, Lowe and Veeman are all currently skating out of Calgary at the Olympic Oval indoor facility.

The Lions will host their first long track meet since January of 2019.

Dallaire is focused on having a good finish to the current 2022-23 season. When the season is done and she graduates from Walter Murray Collegiate, she wants to see how far she can go with elite level speed skating.

“I plan to move to Calgary, so I’ve applied to university,” said Dallaire. “I’m all ready.

“I’m planning on continuing skating for at least a few more years to see where it takes me until I am done being a junior. The Oval program is like the next step I feel like, so that is where I am planning on going next year after I graduate.”

For more information about the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club, feel free to check out their website at www.slspeedskating.com.