Scutchings’ focus on fun opens doors in speed skating

Lions member skates at Canada Games, ready for home meet

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Melissa Scutchings enjoys skating fast on the oval track.

Melissa Scutchings discovered that zeroing in on fun still opens big doors in the world of speed skating.

At age five, Scutchings followed her older brother Matthew into the sport joining the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club. At age 15, Scutchings was one of the youngest skaters taking part in the Canada Winter Games that ran February 18 to March 5, 2023 across Prince Edward Island. She took part in the long track speed skating competition at the Halifax Oval in Halifax, N.S., during the first week of the games.

“It was a little intimidating,” said Scutchings. “I remember on the first day on the very first practice I fell.

“I remember being kind of embarrassed, because I fell in front of these like national skaters, and they are all like these 20-year-old really buffed guys. I was like, ‘Oh.’After I kind of got over that, it was really fun.

“I had a lot of fun at the Canada Winter Games. There was a lot of community stuff like a lot of team building. I thought that was really fun.”

With being one of the youngest skaters at that multi-sport event, Scutchings was there to soak in the experience. While she didn’t win any medals, she skated lots taking part in the female 500-metre, 1,000-metre, 1,500-metre, 3,000-metre, mass start and team pursuit races.

In getting used to being at the Canada Winter Games, Scutchings said it helped she was there with a large contingent from the Lions including veteran skaters Luca Veeman and Serena Dallaire. Veeman won five medals and Dallaire captured a pair of medals at the Canada Winter Games. Scutchings said there is a good family feeling with the Lions club, which was a big plus going into a multi-sport competition.

“I feel like it is easier to go to a new competition, if you have someone you already know like someone you can warm up with and like skate warmup with,” said Scutchings. “I feel like it is easier than going there, and be like, ‘Oh. I don’t know anyone else. I am here by myself.’”

This season, Scutchings, who is now 16-years-old, finds herself as one of the older skaters at the majority of Lions practices as Veeman and Dallaire are both attending first year university in Calgary and training at the Olympic Oval. While Scutchings is a veteran skater with the club, she still focuses on having fun and enjoying the sport.

The Lions will be hosting their annual the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet on January 20 and 21 at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval, and Scutchings has been a regular skating at that competition over the years. She has a pretty high comfort level when it comes to skating at events at home.

“It is just a lot of fun,” said Scutchings. “You are just competing against people you’ve know for like forever.

Melissa Scutchings skates at the Oval on February 28, 2023.

“It is really easy going. I think it is just a lot of casual fun.”

When she was younger, Scutchings saw the older skaters as being really fast and really cool and was always watching her brother. Now that she is older skater, Scutchings enjoys watching the skaters in the Lions younger age groups take to the track in events like the John Sands Classic Long Track Meet.

“I think they are just really cute,” said Scutchings.“They are really short, but they’ve got these big, long speed skates, and they are skating.

“I think it is really funny and they are cute.”

Chris Veeman, who is the Lions head coach and president of Speed Skating Saskatchewan, said it has been enjoyable to coach Scutchings over the years. Back in January of 2021, Scutchings was presented the Robb Family Olympic Trophy, which is the Lions club award that goes to the most improved female skater as shown by improvements in skating times as compared to previous years and faithful and consistent attendance at practices.

“She is great to have in our group,” said Veeman. “She is now one of the older women in the group.

“She has been with Group 4 for a number of years. She is a quiet personality, but I think you can tell that she really likes skating. I think at this point that I try to tell her that her focus should really be on enjoying the sport and getting to enjoy the movement.

“It can be an activity that you do your whole life. That is what I hope that she is getting out of it at this point.”

Veeman thought it was big for Scutchings to be able to take part in the Canada Winter Games as one of the youngest skaters in the field.

“It is a great opportunity, because there is not a lot of pressure,” said Veeman. “If you are 15 or 16 skating against 19-year-olds, you’re not expected to win medals or anything like that.

“It is more about enjoying the event – the multisport aspect of it where you get to meet all kinds of different people. It is a really big production with all the uniforms and that sort of thing. I feel like she made the most of it.”

Melissa Scutchings enjoyed being at the Canada Winter Games.

Scutchings looks up to Isabelle Weidemann who was a speed skater for Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. Weidemann, who stands 6-foot-2, won gold in Team Pursuit, silver in the women’s 5,000-metre race and bronze in the women’s 3,000-metre race.

“I like watching her skate, because you can always tell really clearly which one she is when she is skating like the team relays and the team pursuits just because she is so tall,” said Scutchings, who stands 5-foot-7. “I really like the way she skates.

“She makes it look really easy.”

Scutchings said the biggest influence in helping her in the sport was long time Lions head coach Tim Comfort, who retired at the conclusion of the 2022-23 campaign. She said Comfort cared about how she was doing as a person asking if things were going OK and how she was doing.

“A lot of the way the practices went and a lot of the repetitions and stuff like that it came from Tim (Comfort) mostly,” said Scutchings. “I feel like we got pretty close, and it was fun traveling with him to Canada Winter Games.

“He was pretty encouraging and supportive.”

Scutchings said the current season, which is the Lions first campaign without Comfort as a coach, has been going well. She said Veeman, Jason Warick and Olivier Larocque have been doing well as a collective coaching unit.

Due to the fact there is no Canada Winter Games to prepare for this season, Scutchings said the competitive aspect has felt more relaxed and there has been more of a focus on the craft of skating. She believes it benefits the skaters coming into the Lions top competitive skating level in Group 4 to get their feet wet with that higher tier of competition.

Away from skating, Scutchings is completing her Grade 11 year at Walter Murray Collegiate. She has been on the honor roll throughout her time in high school.

Scutchings is looking forward to continue skating with the Lions during her high school years, but isn’t sure what she will do with the sport once she graduates.

Her family is still well connected with the sport as her father Roland Scutchings in a member at large on the board of directors for Speed Skating Saskatchewan, and her mother Carina Ong-Scutchings is the director of finance for the Lions.

Melissa Scutchings, left, enjoys skating with her Lions teammates.

When it comes skating after graduating from high school, Scutchings said she will decide what she wants to with the sport when that time comes.

“I might not do it after high school just because of university,” said Scutchings. “I might not go to Calgary.

“If I do, I think it will be a lot of fun. It might be a little bit of a struggle finding somewhere to live close to the Oval, because everyone wants to live near the university. I might just stay here with the club and go to university here, so I guess we will see.”

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.