From the football field to lifting platform

Ignite coach Dale finds competitive outlet in weightlifting

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Donovan Dale is a competitor in weightlifting.

Donovan Dale found the end of his football playing career didn’t bring an end to his time as a competitor in the world of sports.

Best known as a former star defensive lineman with CJFL’s Saskatoon Hilltops, the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds and University of Saskatchewan Huskies football teams in U Sports, Dale found a new sport to pursue that went hand in hand with the elite level coaching he does with Ignite Athletics located inside the Indoor Training Centre. Dale took up weightlifting.

During his relative short time in the sport, Dale was named the Saskatchewan Weightlifting Association’s Best Senior Male Athlete for 2021-22. The coach with the biggest smile among the Ignite Athletics crew has qualified for the Canadian Senior National Weightlifting Championships that are set for May 19 to 21 at Variety Village in Scarborough, Ont.

Dale, who is the head of strength and conditioning at Ignite Athletics, said the athletes he works with at Ignite get a kick out of finding out their 31-year-old coach is still a competitor in sports. His final season of football came back in the fall of 2016 playing on the defensive line with the Huskies. Following that football campaign, Dale joined the Huskies men’s wrestling team and won a silver medal at the Canada West wrestling championships in the 120-kilogram class in February of 2017 after being away from that sport for five years.

On the weightlifting front, Dale said he has found it easier to pass on information and help athletes, if they are having troubles with a lift during workouts.

“There is definitely a bit of a comradery process of when I see them struggling with things it really helps my coaching that I can tell them that, ‘Hey, you know I struggled with this exact same technical issue as well,’” said Dale. “I think it just helps me get on their level quite a bit more, because when they’re struggling with things, they can be confident that I too have also struggled with it and have had to come up with different ways to kind of tackle that problem and fix it.

“The big thing is it really helps build the trust. They trust that I want what is best for them, and I’ve been through the same issues that they’ve been through so that we’ll be able to get through it together.”

Donovan Dale makes a sack for the Huskies in 2015.

When football and his short return to wrestling wrapped up, Dale was finishing up his master’s degree of science in kinesiology at the University of Saskatchewan and was focused on his full-time work at Ignite. Dale first joined Ignite Athletics as an athlete client in 2010 before coming on as a coach in a part-time capacity at first in 2014.

After completing his football career, Dale wasn’t looking for a new sport to join, but he didn’t want to stop working out.

“After my football career was done, I was obviously trying to stay active for myself,” said Dale. “I was pretty heavy when I finished my football career.

“I spent two years just losing some weight and just trying to get a little bit healthier. After those kind of years were done and I felt like I gotten my health and fitness kind of at a level that I was happy with, I was kind of going through the audit process of do I want to get back into some kind of competitive sport.”

During his football days at the post-secondary level, Dale, who stands 6-foot-1, had gotten his weight up to 295 pounds playing on the defensive line. He weighed 285 pounds during his final season with the Huskies, and his weight sits 230 pounds these days.

For weightlifting competitions, Dale competes in the 102-kilogram class, so he is able to cut his weight down five pounds to 225 pounds. He found weightlifting seemlessly worked into his lifestyle.

“Weightlifting was just such a natural fit for me, because there are a lot of aspects about weight lifting that I really love,” said Dale, who helped the Hilltops win CJFL titles in 2010, 2011 and 2012. “I love the aspect of technical mastery.

“It is unlike other strength sports where it is the only thing you have to worry about is how much weight your lifting. There are a lot more technical components when it comes to the Olympic lifts, so I love that. The other thing was it just really worked for my lifestyle.

Donovan Dale is going to weightlifting nationals.

“Having three young kids at home, it is harder to get out back into a team sport where you have to do your practices and games at weird times and things like that. The nice thing about weightlifting is Ignite is very well equipped. Essentially for my training schedule, I just show up a little bit early for most of my shifts, and I am able to bang out a workout nice and quickly.”

Dale said he got motivated to be in the sport watching videos of a former Hilltops teammate in receiver Graham Unruh take part in weightlifting. 

After seeing Unruh’s videos of being a national level competitor, Dale thought that was a sport he could pursue. Overall, the one-time prospect with the CFL’s Ottawa Redblacks is flat out enjoying his new sporting pursuit, and he is looking forward to going to nationals in May.

“It has been fun,” said Dale. “I definitely love that at 31-years-old now I still feel like I have a lot of competitive years left in me, so it has been cool to kind of enter the competitive scene.

“I’ve done enough meets now that I’ve qualified for nationals. I’m going to have nationals in Scarborough this year. That is going to be on May long weekend, so I have no idea what the result is going to be.

“It is just going to be fun to get on a national stage and compete again, because I haven’t been able to do that in a long time.”

Dale expects to be involved in weightlifting for a long time now too. He was a weightlifting coach at the Saskatchewan Winter Games that ran February 19 to 25 in Regina, and he has been involved with helping Ignite Athletics to get set to host its first ever Olympic Weightlifting meet on May 6. Looking to the future, Dale sees himself taking on a role in helping the sport to grow.

Donovan Dale is a popular coach at Ignite Athletics.

“I think I am pretty in deep now,” said Dale. “I just finished coaching in February.

“I was the head coach for the weightlifting team for the Saskatchewan Winter Games, so that was a pretty fun experience. Just seeing weightlifting in Saskatoon, it is pretty exciting. It is definitely a growing sport.

“Participation is on the rise. I would love to work with our provincial body in Sask Weightlifting and see what does it take for us to have to grow the sport. That just gives the kids more opportunities and things to strive for when they are participating in the sport.”

For more information about Ignite Athletics, feel free to check out Ignite’s website at igniteathletics.com. Weightlifting photos of Donovan Dale were submitted by Donovan Dale courtesy Joel Kingston Photography. Donovan Dale profile photo at Ignite Athletics is courtesy Ignite Athletics.

Back in the WCBL

SEG bringing summer league team to Cairns Field

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Everyone was all smiles for the return of the WCBL to Saskatoon. 

Starting in May of 2024, Cairns Field will once again be home to a team in Canada’s premier collegiate summer wood bat baseball league.

During a press conference on March 29 at the Indoor Training Centre, the Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) and the Sask Entertainment Group (SEG) announced a new Saskatoon franchise had been granted to SEG. SEG is owned by Mike and Colin Priestner and is the parent company of the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades and the NLL’s Saskatchewan Rush.

The new WCBL squad currently named the Saskatoon Baseball Club will begin play at Cairns Field on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds in May of 2024. Saskatoon has been without a WCBL team since the Saskatoon Yellow Jackets ceased operations following the 2014 season. The Yellow Jackets played out of Cairns Field from 2002 to 2014, when the WCBL was known as the Western Major Baseball League.

“A lot of people ask me why the WCBL, and I ask why not,” said Steve Hildebrand, who is the President of the Saskatoon Baseball Club. “This has been a missing piece to this community.

“It is a strong developmental league and a place for high level collegiate athletes to come back home including those from in and around Saskatoon to hone their skills during the summer. We expect to have a strong contingent of Saskatoon and area players on this team.

“We want to make this a gathering place for the community during the spring and summer. This announcement is just another testament to SEG’s commitment to sports and entertainment in Saskatoon with the Saskatoon Blades, the Saskatchewan Rush and now the Saskatoon Baseball Club.”

Kevin Kvame, who is the President of the WCBL, is pleased that Saskatoon will once again be part of the circuit.

Steve Hildebrand is the President of the Saskatoon Baseball Club.

“We’re very excited at the WCBL to grant the 12^th franchise to the Saskatoon Entertainment Group and an expansion team for the city of Saskatoon to begin play in the 2024 season,” said Kvame. “I’d like to thank Steve Hildebrand and the Saskatoon Entertainment Group for all their diligence and efforts to bring WCBL baseball back to Saskatoon after almost a 10-year absence.

“The WCBL values the Saskatoon market. It has always felt it was missing from our family since the Yellow Jackets left in 2014. The WCBL is now 12 teams strong in the 2024 season with some wonderful facilities around the league.”

Hildebrand said he had talks with Swift Current 57s President Brad Woods about bringing the WCBL back to Saskatoon and Woods provided a lot of insight and help in bringing a new team to Saskatoon. The Saskatoon Baseball Club President added SEG owners Mike and Colin Priestner played a big part in providing the resources to allow a new WCBL squad to come to Saskatoon.

Hildebrand announced the Saskatoon Baseball Club has hired Mark Campbell as the team’s Director of Baseball Operations, and that the team is in the process of hiring a coach and a recruiter.

On top of hiring Campbell, Hildebrand announced SEG had agreed to a 10-year deal with the Gordie Howe Sports Complex to use Cairns Field and the resources at the Indoor Training Centre.

“I have a couple of people I’d like to thank in (Chairman) Bryan Kosteroski and (Operations Manager) Johnny Marciniuk of Gordie Howe Sports Complex,” said Hildebrand. “(They did) unbelievable work to get this deal done, and they deserve a lot of accolades for this announcement.

“(SaskTel Centre Executive Director) Scott Ford, I couldn’t have done this without you. I thank you for all your help through this process.”

Hildebrand added the Saskatoon Baseball Club is committed to helping Baseball Saskatoon with their Executive Director Jesse Korte and President John Povhe to grow the game, and that there will be further improvements to Cairns Field as part of the agreement between SEG and the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.

WCBL President Kevin Kvame is happy Saskatoon returns to the league.

“As a part of this deal, SEG in conjunction with Gordie Howe is really committed to Cairns Field,” said Hildebrand. “We’re committed to upgrading not only the concessions but new surroundings around the ballpark.

“All the changes will be in place for the start of the 2024 baseball season, and we know we have a lot of work ahead of us.”

Tyler Wawryk, who is the Director of Team Business Operations for the Saskatoon Baseball Club, said the business side of the baseball team is hitting the ground running. 

He said the squad will be launching a name the team campaign to help name the club.

“We want to engage the baseball community and the fans here to name the team and help be a part of bringing baseball back to Saskatoon,” said Wawryk. “We will be beginning that here through the month of May and June engaging the community.

“Hopefully by the fall, we will have a name and then begin the process of deciding on team colours and uniforms and so forth.”

Wawryk said plans are in the works to start selling season tickets for the new team in June.

“With Cairns Field having a capacity of about 2,200 seats in the ballpark, we will be beginning taking season ticket deposits in June,” said Wawryk. “We will be utilizing our space at the Sask Entertainment Group Fan Experience Zone located at the corner of 51^st and Faithful where we will have team apparel and merchandise and everything that you need to get your tickets to go to the baseball games for next summer.”

Looking forward to the 2024 season, Wawryk believes fans will enjoy the game experience put on by the Saskatoon Baseball Club.

Tyler Wawryk leads the business side of the Saskatoon Baseball Club.

“We can also assure baseball fans in Saskatoon that this is going to be a family friendly atmosphere and a family affordable event and entertainment for 28 nights and hopefully a little bit more in the playoffs for the summer of 2024,” said Wawryk. “We will strive on providing top tier and the best game presentation and production for fans when we do hit the field.

“We look forward to utilizing all of our resources that we have at Sask Entertainment Group.”

The Saskatoon Baseball Club can be followed on Facebook @SaskatoonBaseballClub, on Twitter @stoonbaseball and Instagram @saskatoonbaseball. Watch those accounts for new on the Saskatoon Baseball Club’s website.

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.

Winter season stretch run brings fun in photo roundup

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

The scene at the start line for cross country ski provincials.

Business picked up for winter sports on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds as the season with the snow and ice headed into its stretch run.

In both Nordic skiing and speed skating, the chase for medals hit its peak time. Skiers and speed skaters were busy training before departing for championship events or major meets.

The Saskatoon Nordic Ski Club got to host the Saskatchewan Provincial Cross Country Ski Championships on our grounds this past February 11 and 12. Skiers from all corners of the province made it to the trails that run across Glenn Reeve Fields looking to capture provincials medals. The action made for long and fulfilling days for race staff the oversaw the event.

Our lead photo from February 11 shows a busy start line for a race for skiers in a youthful age group. While a young skier takes off to take on the course, you can see three race officials with clipboards are present to ensure everything runs in an orderly fashion.

The Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club held their final practices at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval to prepare for the last major long track races of the season. A number of Lions skaters attended the Canada Winter Games, which ran 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. The speed skating portion ran from February 18 to 25.

The Clarence Oval Downey Speed Skating would close for the season this past March 2 after providing many great speed skating and public skating sessions.

At the Indoor Training Centre, athletes continued to train for sports that take place in the spring, summer and fall. As February came to an end and the calendar flipped over to March, some sports groups started to hold sessions for player evaluations.

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 12 shots we hope you enjoy.

Finding the perfect pace

A skier focuses on a good start by setting a sound pace at the beginning of her race at the Saskatchewan Provincial Cross Country Ski Championships held on February 11 on the trails that run across the Glenn Reeve Fields.

Downhill speed

A skier jets down the side of a hill during a race at the Saskatchewan Provincial Cross Country Ski Championships held on February 11 on the trails that run across the Glenn Reeve Fields. Cross country ski races have many different dimensions, and for short spurts, athletes become downhill skiers.

Rounding the bend

A skier rounds a corner during a race at the Saskatchewan Provincial Cross Country Ski Championships held on February 11 on the trails that run across the Glenn Reeve Fields. This curved part of the track runs beside one of the outfield fences for one of the softball diamonds. You can see an outfield fence distance marker on the left side of the picture.

Paying attention to details

Jason Warick, who is one of the Saskatoon Lions Speed Skating Club coaches, stands off to the left side of the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval while giving pointers to young speed skaters on February 14. The Lions have a number of stellar coaches working with athletes at various age groups.

Firing off the throw to first

An infielder at a Saskatoon Giants training session fires off a throw to first base on February 16 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Giants are putting in preparation work for the upcoming Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League season.

Family Day fun

A pair of skaters enjoy the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval during an extended public skating session held on Family Day on February 20. Public skating sessions were popular at the Oval again this winter season. The Oval closed for the season on March 2.

Bringing the heat

A young pitcher sets to deliver a heater during a training session for Baseball Sask’s female program on February 26 at the Indoor Training Centre. Baseball Sask delivers good programs for female players.

Getting cornered

A running back gets boxed in by a trio of defenders during a Saskatoon Valkyries training session on February 28 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Valkyries will be in search of their eighth WWCFL title this coming season.

No rest for the driven

After returning from the Canada Winter Games that were held in Prince Edward Island with long track speed skating taking place at the Halifax Oval in Halifax, N.S., Melissa Scutchings was back skating at the Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval on February 28 with a small group of her Saskatchewan Lions Speed Skating Club teammates. Scutchings and her teammates worked on continued improvement while reflecting on the multi-sport experience they just took part in.

Aiming to impress

An infielder uses perfect form to field a ball and make a throw to first base during a Saskatoon Selects player evaluations session on March 5 at the Indoor Training Centre. The Selects will use the evaluations they collect at this session to help with roster decisions for the upcoming softball season.

Sweet stroke

A hitter works on her form during a Hitting Factory session run by the 222’s Fastpitch program on March 7 at the Indoor Training Centre. Players taking part in Hitting Factory sessions focus on mechanics, mental skills and situational strategies of hitting.

Coming right at you

A hitter drives the ball into the net hard at Hitting Factory session run by the 222’s Fastpitch program on March 7 at the Indoor Training Centre. The athletes taking part in these sessions get more efficient at the skill of hitting.

Machibroda puts fun back in baseball, signs with MLB’s Twins

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Nolan Machibroda hit 17 homers in 47 games for the Phoenix.
(Photo courtesy Nolan Machibroda)

Nolan Machibroda put the fun back in baseball, and the game took him to great places he wasn’t expecting.

Going into his final season of college eligibility in 2022, Machibroda joined the Cumberland University Phoenix Baseball Team in Lebanon, Tenn. The Phoenix play out of the Mid-South Conference in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). 

In 2021, Machibroda, who is a graduate of Saskatoon’s Holy Cross High School, played for Lubbock Christian University Chaparrals Baseball Team in Lubbock, Texas. The Chaparrals play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Division II ranks. In 2020, Machibroda was with the NAIA’s Southeastern University Fire Baseball Team in Lakeland, Florida.

With Lubbock Christian and Southeastern University, Machibroda felt that the joy of playing the game had left him. Thinking he might be down to his final at bat for playing competitive baseball, Machibroda wanted the memories of his final college season to be positive ones.

“I just really went out there and tried to have fun my last year,” said Machibroda, who plays first base and a little bit in the outfield. “I’m trying to play to the best of my abilities and not really care about the box score or how I played at the end of the day and just go out there and have fun.

“It was my last year. I was like, ‘You don’t want to not go out there and look back at it and regret that you didn’t have fun.’ I wasn’t having fun the previous two years before that.

Nolan Machibroda sets up at first base for the Phoenix.
(Photo courtesy Nolan Machibroda)

“Once I changed my mindset about that and not looking at it as such an individual and more of a team aspect, I think that really helped me.”

Machibroda went out and had a career season. In 47 games with the Phoenix, the left-handed hitter went 69-for-150 at the plate for a .460 average, 17 home runs and 83 RBI. Thanks to those outstanding numbers, Machibroda, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 220 pounds, was named the player of the year for the Mid-South Conference and an NAIA first team all-American.

After his season wrapped up with the Phoenix, Machibroda joined the Weyburn Beavers, who play out of the Western Canadian Baseball League summer circuit. Playing in his third summer campaign for the Beavers, Machibroda went 60-for-209 at the plate for a .287 average, seven home runs and 44 RBI. The 23-year-old was named the team MVP for the Beavers.

Machibroda earned an invite to the 2022 WCBL all-star game played at Seaman Stadium in Okotoks, Alta. He won the WCBL’s home run derby and was awarded a golden bat for the victory.

On December 20 shortly before 2022 closed out, Machibroda received an early Christmas gift signing as an amateur free agent with the MLB’s Minnesota Twins.

“It is just another opportunity to play the game I love at the end of the day, and I’m super thankful for it,” said Machibroda. “It just happens to be with an MLB team, which makes it even more cool.

Nolan Machibroda set to bat for Team Saskatchewan.
(Photo courtesy Baseball Saskatchewan)

“I’m just trying to play baseball as long as I can. I love the sport, so I’m just really thankful I can go out there and still be playing competitive baseball at this point in my life. I’m really excited to get down to spring training and start playing again.”

Machibroda reported to Fort Myers, Florida, on Monday to take part in a required training plan with the Twins minor league players. Fort Myers, Florida, is home to the Twins single-A affiliate the Mighty Mussels. Spring training activities begin in earnest on March 2.

One aspect of Machibroda’s game that went to another level in 2022 was his power hitting. Machibroda said the home runs started to come after he changed his approach at the plate, where he looked for fastballs and held off from swinging at off-speed pitches.

“I always kind of had power,” said Machibroda. “In batting practice, I could hit a lot of home runs.

“Really last year, I just kind of put it all together and went out to the plate with a better approach. I think that really helped me see a lot more pitches that I could drive out of the yard. I was swinging at those pitches more consistently.

“In my younger years, I would probably get too over aggressive and swing at some pitches that I wasn’t able to do damage on. I think last year the big for me was just refining the strike zone and swinging at big pitches I wanted to swing at instead of swinging at the pitches the pitchers wanted me to swing at and get me out that way. I always had power growing up, but once I figured out my approach and kind of stuck with it that helped me out tremendously.”

After his summer season with the Beavers was complete, Machibroda returned home to Saskatoon to train under the watchful eye of the instructors at the Going Yard Training Centre at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. 

Going Yard instructor Matt Kosteniuk was Machibroda’s head coach with the Saskatoon Diamondbacks under-18 AAA team and an assistant coach when Machibroda was a member of Team Saskatchewan in 2015 and 2016.

Nolan Machibroda (centre) played at the Baseball Canada Cup twice.
(Photo courtesy Baseball Saskatchewan)

Machibroda also worked with Greg Brons, who is the high performance director for Baseball Saskatchewan and Machibroda’s head coach with Team Saskatchewan.

Pitching and playing first base, Machibroda helped Saskatchewan win a silver medal at the 2015 Baseball Canada Cup held at Cairns Field and Leakos Field on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds and gold at the 2016 Baseball Canada Cup held in Fort McMurray, Alta.

The soon to be first year pro enjoys when he gets to come home and work with his former coaches.

“I got to know them really well,” said Machibroda, who has lots of good memories playing at Cairns Field and Leakos Field. “It is always fun going back there,

“I respect their input. It is always nice to hear what they have to say and help me out for sure still. They are people I still look to for guidance.”

Machibroda enjoys being able to use the battling cages, the field turf and all the amenities the Indoor Training Centre has to offer, when he returns home.

“I’m super thankful for that facility to go back to during the winter when I’m not able to get outside and do the things I want,” said Machibroda. “You can go in there and pretty much do whatever baseball wise, so it has been awesome.”

Nolan Machibroda (#24) enjoys a seniors day moment.
(Photo courtesy Nolan Machibroda).

Now the focus turns towards his journey in his first professional season. Machibroda said he will run in the pro ranks as long as he can in trying to make it to the MLB level one day.

“I just know that there is a long road ahead,” said Machibroda. “I just take it one day at a time here.

“I take every day knowing that I am still blessed to play baseball and go out there and have fun and leave it all on the field, because I get to play the game that I love for a living now and just try and play as long as possible. I know it is going to be hard, but there is nothing I would rather be doing than playing baseball right now with my life. I’m really excited to be able to have this opportunity.”

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.