Frey on fire for Cubs

Right-handed hurler one of SPBL’s best

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Parker Frey unloads a pitch for the Cubs.

Parker Frey is soaking in playing his final season in the spring and summer sun with the Saskatoon Cubs.

For the past two campaigns, the right-handed hurler has been one of the top pitchers at the under-18 AAA level in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League. This season, he has been a key cog in helping the Cubs chase first place on the provincial circuit.

“It has been fun,” said Frey. “We’re a fun group of guys.

“We can joke around when needed, but we get down to business when we also need to.”

Currently, the Cubs are holding top spot in the regular season standings with a 19-4 mark with seven games to go. The Cubs will host the SPBL’s under-18 AAA Provincial Championship tournament July 22 to 24 at Cairns Field and Leakos Field on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

Over six appearances on the mound this season, Frey has posted a 4-0 record, a 2.25 ERA, 37 strikeouts and eight walks in 28 innings. He is putting together a solid follow-up campaign from his 2021 season, where in nine appearances, he posted a 7-1 record, a 2.25 ERA, 25 strikeouts and 11 walks in 37 and one-third innings.

When he is on the mound, Frey throws a strong slider and change-up, while locating his fastball well. He said his finesse pitches have helped him out well the past two campaigns.

“I’d definitely say my off-speed (pitches are working),” said Frey, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 165 pounds. “I’m not a guy who can blow the fastball by everyone.

“My off-speed pitches are definitely a big part of my pitching.”

On top of having a good season on the mound, Frey is having a solid campaign hitting, as he is 16-of-45 at the dish for a .356 average with 10 RBI. Frey has made a sizable improvement in that department from 2021, when he was 11-of-42 at the plate for a .262 average with six RBI.

Parker Frey is batting .356 at the plate this season.

At the plate, Frey keeps his approach simple.

“I’m more just trying to put the ball in play and good things happen,” said Frey. “It is all I am trying to do at the plate right now.”

Frey started played organized baseball at about age five or six following his older brother, Jordan, into the sport. Since Jordan was a pitcher, Parker became a pitcher too.

Over the years, Parker developed his own love for pitching and the game of baseball. His favourite hurlers to watch on television in the MLB included New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom and late Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies ace Roy Halladay.

“I kind of think I like it a lot better than fielding and everything else,” said Parker. “I like pitching more, so that is why I went after that.”

For most of his baseball career, Parker has been coached by his father, Scott. Scott is the head coach of the Cubs and Jordan is serving as an assistant coach with the team too.

Since joining the Cubs in 2020, Scott said Parker has made some great overall strides.

“We were really just looking at using him as a pitcher,” said Scott. “He put on some inches and grew into a fairly tall kid that we could use in a few different situations.

“This year his bat has come alive, and we’ve been able to use him more in the field and also on the mound.”

On the mound, Scott said Parker has benefited from working with Cory Hall at Inside Pitch Saskatoon and consistently hits the strike zone with all his throws.

“He (Parker) works to get ahead,” said Scott. “He doesn’t have anything overpowering, so he has worked on developing a couple of different pitches that he can locate well and get hitters out.

Parker Frey rounds the bases for the Cubs.

“He is extremely efficient. We can count on him for five or six or seven innings most times. He has just kept doing that year after year after year.

“Parker is location first. You get the pitch in on guys’ hands or get it away and try to work with pitching to contact and just letting your defence play.”

When it comes to Parker’s improvement at the plate, Scott said it helped that his son had a growth spurt in the off-season.

“He grew and that helps,” said Scott. “He got stronger.

“I think just his approach to hitting is better as he gets into good counts, and he has a pretty good eye. He is able to get the pitch he wants and can put a good swing on it.”

Parker has enjoyed being coached by his father over the years and also by his older brother in recent years. The ace pitcher added the challenging player and coach talks come when he is not playing well, so he is kept accountable by his father and older brother.

“At times it is tough, because they are harder on me,” said Parker. “It is nice, and I like it.”

Scott admits he has challenging talks with Parker over the years that comes from the relationship between player and coach. Overall, the father appreciates the special opportunity he has had to coach his son.

“We’ve been together a long time and I have been coaching him a lot,” said Scott. “It is always a challenge being dad and being coach.

“There are some tough talks at home and some tough talks in the dugout, but it has been a really enjoyable experience and a lot of fun.”

Following this season, Parker, who just graduated from St. Joseph High School in June, will continue his baseball career playing for the Taft College Cougars baseball team in Taft, California. Before he thinks about the fall, Parker is focused on accomplishing big goals with the Cubs that include making it to Baseball Canada’s Under-18 National Championship tournament, which will be held August 18 to 21 in Fort McMurray, Alta.

Park Frey will join the Taft College Cougars in the fall.

“I think winning a provincial title would be cool,” said Parker, who will turn 18-years-old on August 13. “Going to nationals has to be the main goal for us.”

He is looking forward to his future with the Cougars but admits he will miss the Cubs.

“I’m super excited,” said Parker. “I can’t wait to get down there, but at the same time, it will be tough trying to leave this team.”

For more information about the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League including league schedules, box scores and statistics, feel free to check out the league website at www.spbl.ca.

A cool mix of sweet happenings in photos

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Jorde Chartrand sets to unload a pitch for Canada.

A lot of cool moments happen on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds.

As spring transitioned to summer, we got to see a few cool moments take place at our facilities. One of those moments saw 19-year-old right-handed pitcher Jorde Chartrand throw for Softball Canada’s National Women’s Team at Bob Van Impe Stadium during the second game of a doubleheader sweep of Czechia on July 1.

Chartrand pitched two scoreless innings in Canada’s second contest that day. From Weyburn, Sask., Chartrand trained for a number of years on our grounds and played for teams in Saskatoon before joining the University of Central Arkansas Bears women’s softball NCAA Division I program last fall. She will join the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Spartans women’s softball NCAA Division I program this fall.

Our lead photo shows Chartrand pitching in familiar surroundings at Bob Van Impe Stadium for Canada.

We also got to see the Saskatoon Valkyries win their seventh WWCFL title on June 25 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field with a 36-6 victory over the Winnipeg-based Manitoba Fearless. While the Valkyries started using SMF Field as their home park before the start of the 2015 season, their WWCFL title win this year marked the first time they won a league championship at SMF Field.

Those two moments were the highlights of the activity that has occurred on our baseball and softball diamonds, SMF Field, Track and Field Track and the Indoor Training Centre over the past 30 days.

The activity that happens on our grounds continues to provide great material for our continuing photo roundups.

These photos capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, most of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke. The Saskatoon Cubs Under-18 AAA Baseball Team checked in with a couple of sentimental photos too.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 12 shots we hope you enjoy.

Rider on the Storm

Storm Zablocki, from Prince Albert Athletics, hits top gear in the 200-metre final of Saskatchewan’s Canada Summer Games Trails on June 12 at the Track and Field Track. Zablocki won the race in a time of 21.78 seconds.

Escape to daylight

A receiver from the Walter Murray Collegiate Marauders breaks down the sideline after a catch during action in the Rush Female Flag Football League play on June 14 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Saskatoon Minor Football runs Rush female flag programs from Grade 1 through to Grade 12.

Romping to MVP honours

Running back Sarah Wright rumbles to the house on a six-yard touchdown run for the Saskatoon Valkyries in the WWCFL title game held on June 25 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The Valkyries won the contest, and Wright was named game MVP. She carried the ball 20 times for 157 yards to go with her major score on the ground, and she caught one pass for 14 yards in the victory.

Fun farewell

The Saskatoon Valkyries had some fun with star defensive tackle Jaime Lammerding following their win in the WWCFL Championship game held on June 25 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Following the win, the Valkyries players piled on top of Lammerding, who is giving a thumb up, during a series of on field team pictures. The WWCFL title game win was the last for Lammerding as a player, who has suited up for the Valkyries since their inaugural season in 2011. She is retired from the game as a player.

Sweet swing

Softball Canada’s National Women’s Team got good use out of the Indoor Training Centre during a practice on June 28. One of the players displays a sweet swing in the batting cages in this photo.

Beauty turnout at BVI

The main stands at Bob Van Impe Stadium were packed to see Softball Canada’s National Women’s Team sweep a doubleheader against Czechia on July 1. Fans came out in droves to see Canada sweep the two-game set.

For the kids

Right-handed pitcher Jorde Chartrand, who was playing for Softball Canada’s National Women’s Team, makes a young fan’s day signing autographs and posing for a picture on July 1 at Bob Van Impe Stadium. The players from Softball Canada’s National Women’s Team met their fans and signed autographs following their doubleheader sweep of Czechia.

Let it fly

Saskatoon Cubs pitcher Brady Wouters makes a special delivery pitch during a Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League under-18 AAA game on July 2 at Cairns Field. The Cubs lead the SPBL regular season standings with a 19-4 record.

Cubs honour veteran umpire Dodds

The Saskatoon Cubs under-18 AAA baseball team checked with these two photos. Before hosting the Parkland Expos in a Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League doubleheader on July 2 at Cairns Field, the Cubs honoured long time veteran umpire Gary Dodds. In the first photos, Cubs catcher Casey Prychak presented Dodds with the team signed baseball. Following the first game of the doubleheader, the Cubs posed for a team picture with Dodds. Dodds was working his final two games of the season that day before going in for knee surgery. He has developed a reputation for being one of the most well liked and respected umpires in the province, while having one of the heaviest workloads year in and year out in Saskatoon. Dodds has umpired games in Saskatoon for over 15 years, and the Cubs wanted to thank him for his service to the game and wish him the best in his recovery. Dodds expects to return to action umpiring games next season.

Hot shot up the middle

A Saskatoon Selects hitter drives a hot hit though the middle of the infield during a league game on July 5 at Glenn Reeve Field #3. The Complex has hosted league softball games in all sorts of age levels once again this season.

A safe slide just in time

A Southeast Sun Devils base runner beats a Tisdale Riverdogs team member’s throw to second base at Joe Gallagher Field on July 8 during action in Softball Saskatchewan’s Girls’ under-15 BW Provincial Championship tournament. Provincial Championship tournament action in under-15 BW and under-15 B girls’ play and under-19 A and under-23 A women’s play continues on our diamonds July 9 and wraps up July 10.

Harrison, Ostertag tackle busy outdoor track season

Pair gets chance to represent Canada internationally

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Michelle Harrison and Nicole Ostertag are track and field standouts.

Michelle Harrison and Nicole Ostertag are continuing to keep Saskatoon’s great track and field tradition on the map.

Harrison and Ostertag are part of the current generation of a long line of athletes that have come from Saskatoon and excelled in the track and field world. Harrison, who is 29-years-old, won the women’s 100-metre hurdles final at the Canadian Olympic track and field trials that doubled as the Canadian nationals in June of 2021, and Ostertag, who is 22-years-old, is a national standout in the women’s heptathlon.

Both will compete in the Canadian Track and Field Championships that run later this month from June 22 to 26 in Langley, B.C. Both have represented Canada on the international stage and aim to continue representing Canada in future internationals events.

“It is definitely a privilege to work with athletes of their calibre,” said Jason Reindl, who is the head coach of the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Track and Field teams and is a high-performance track and field coach in Saskatoon. “It is just always fun to see where they go, where they can compete and the opportunities that kind of present themselves at the highest levels of the sport.”

Harrison, who is an alumna of the Huskies track program, represented Canada at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, where she finished in a tie for 15^th overall in the women’s 60-metre hurdles. In April, Harrison took part in a training camp in California and won the 100-metre women’s hurdles title in the Bryan Clay Invitational, the Beach Invitational and the Steve Scott Invitational, which were all held in that state.

Also in April, Harrison traveled to Eugene, Oregon, and took the women’s 100-metre hurdles title at the Oregon Relays.

Michelle Harrison competed at indoor worlds in March.

On May 21, Harrison took the 100-metre women’s hurdles final at the Johnny Loaring Classic in Windsor, Ont., and on June 5, she topped the 100-metre women’s hurdles field at La Classique d’Athlétisme de Montréal in Montreal, Quebec.

“The indoor season started out well,” said Harrison, who stands 5-foot-6. “I was able to make the world indoor team, which was my standard for the indoor season, so I was able to achieve that goal.

“I’m hoping to just use that momentum and move forward into outdoors and hopefully be able to make the world outdoor team as well. My hope is to run the world standard this year, which is 12.84 (seconds).”

She did indeed run the world standard. On June 8 at the Royal City Inferno Track and Field Festival in Guelph, Ont., Harrison ran a personal best time twice with her fastest run in the 100-metre hurdles coming in at 12.80 seconds. Her second fastest time at that event of 12.83 seconds also bested the world standard.

Harrison aims to compete in the World Athletics Championships that run July 15 to 24 in Eugene, Oregon. Following worlds, she would like to take part in the Commonwealth Games, which run July 28 to August 8 in Birmingham, England.

After the Commonwealth Games, Harrison would like to compete at the North American, Central America and Caribbean Athletic Association (NACAC) Senior Championships slated for August 19 to 21 in Grand Bahama, Bahamas.

Harrison has enjoyed getting back into a steady competition schedule after the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world caused numerous cancellations in 2020 and 2021.

“I think the best part is just getting out and having some consistency, where as the past two years you never really knew what was going on more than like a couple of days ahead of time,” said Harrison. “I really like having a plan and being able to like have relative certainty these X-amount of meets are going to happen and be able to get in consecutive workouts as well especially because I dealt with lots of injuries during COVID.

Nicole Ostertag is quickly putting up good results in the heptathlon.

“It was just nice getting in some consistent training and having a plan moving forward.”

Ostertag is still a relative newcomer to track and field having taken up the sport in her Grade 12 year at Holy Cross High School in 2017-18. She is currently a member of the Huskies track team.

A lower leg injury sidelined her for the 2021-22 U Sports season with the Huskies, and she got back more in the swing of things around the time she joined Harrison in California for that training camp in April. Ostertag returned to full training about a week before she left for the training camp in California.

Taking part in the Bryan Clay Invitational, she placed second among 25 competitors in her division in the women’s heptathlon.

The women’s heptathlon includes the 200-metre race, the 800-metre race, the 100-metre hurdles, high jump, long jump, shot put and javelin throw.

Ostertag’s result at the Bryan Clay Invitational allowed her to earn a spot to represent Canada at the at the NACAC Combined Events Championship that ran May 14 and 15 in Ottawa, Ont. At that event, Ostertag, who was representing Canada for the first time in her track and field career, placed second in the women’s heptathlon setting personal bests in the 200-metre race, the 800-metre race, the 100-metre hurdles, high jump, long jump and javelin throw.

Due to lost training time because of her injury troubles, Ostertag is still looking to round into top form.

“I haven’t done as much training as I would have liked, but it is coming along quickly,” said Ostertag, who stands 5-foot-8. “I’m surprising myself I guess.

Michelle Harrison has her sights set on making worlds in July.

“I have been able to work on my endurance and my strength and kind of working out some imbalances in my body, so that is serving me well. I’ve been a bit rusty with the technical side of things, but we’ve been able to do a lot more work. It is not ideal preparation, but it is how it has to be.

“You’ve always got to be adaptable with combined events too. There is a little more wiggle room.”

Ostertag will join Harrison at the Canadian Track and Field Champions. Following that event, Ostertag has her sights set on competing at the Canada Games that will run August 6 to 21 in Niagara, Ont., before returning to the U of S to rejoin the Huskies and continue her academic studies in kinesiology.

“Winning nationals would be the ultimate goal for this season,” said Ostertag. “Canada Games is in August, and I would also love to win that one as well.

“I’m actually happy to be able to compete in Canada and have a little bit more of a low-key summer.”

Reindl expects Harrison and Ostertag to make noise in the track and field world for some time to come. He said their ability to zero in and complete what they need to do in training on a day to day basis helps them excel in track and field at an elite level. 

When they are in Saskatoon, Reindl said it has been big for them to train at the Track and Field Track and Indoor Training Centre at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.

Nicole Ostertag is aiming for first at nationals and Canada Games.

“Their mindset and just ability to focus and get the work that they need to get in is a testament to them and their characters as strong women,” said Reindl. “Having facilities like the Gordie Howe Sports Complex here and the Indoor Training Centre and Ignite Athletics are really the other pieces of the puzzle.

“You can have all the determination in the world, but you need to have somewhere to go and somewhere to train and somewhere to work. This is why on a Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. we’re able to come out here and have a focused high-quality training environment, which is truly world class for what we are trying to achieve.”

Sweet happenings in photos sees more memories get made

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Team North celebrates their win in the Senior Bowl.

The Gordie Howe Sports Complex is still the place memories are made just like it has been for decades.

With the spring and summer season in full swing, all the facilities on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds have been filled seemingly with non-stop action in the sports of baseball, football, softball and track and field. A couple of championship trophies were handed out in football and medals were won at track and field meets and tournaments in baseball and softball.

Events that weren’t able to happen the past two years due to world pandemic related factors have returned to our grounds this spring. That includes Football Saskatchewan’s Ed Henick Senior Bowl, which was played at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on May 29.

The lead photo of this post shows an image of Team North’s victory celebration after winning the Senior Bowl, which is the annual high school football all-star game for Grade 12 players in the province. Team North downed Team South 28-17 in a solid contest.

Other events that returned to action after a two-year hiatus included the Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate City Track and Field Championships, the Quinn Stevenson Memorial Under-18 AA Baseball Tournament and Saskatoon Minor Softball League’s President’s Tournament.

The activity that happens on our grounds continues to provide great material for our continuing photo roundups.

These photos capture some of the memories that are made on our grounds. In this photo roundup, most of these pictures were taken by our Communications Coordinator in Darren Steinke. A long-time friend of the Complex checked in with a cool night photo too.

Without further ado, here is a selection of 11 shots we hope you enjoy.

Throwing the javelin is fun

An athlete has a big smile on her face throwing the javelin during warmups on the first day of the SSSAD’s City Track and Field Championships on May 25 at the Track and Field Track. The scene of someone having fun participating in sports is always priceless.

Feeling the need for speed

A sprinter from the St. Joseph High School Guardians jets down the final straightaway to the finish line during a relay race on the first day of the SSSAD’s City Track and Field Championships at the Track and Field Track. The track and field athletes from Saskatoon and area can sure put up strong results.

“Friday Night Lights” at Bob Van Impe Stadium

“Friday Night Lights” can expand beyond football venues. During the first day of Saskatoon Minor Softball League’s President’s Tournament, Jon Equina took this beauty picture from a night game held at Bob Van Impe Stadium. Equina has made a second home at the Complex over the years as a player and coach and has an eye for the beauty pictures on the diamonds.

“Green and White” going to the house

Receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker (#89) races into the end zone for a touchdown during the Saskatchewan Roughriders Green and White Game on May 28 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. On top of playing the Green and White Game at SMF Field, the Roughriders held their Green and White Day activities that same day on our grounds.

Roughriders meet Rider Nation

Following the Green and White Game held at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on May 28, members of the Saskatchewan Roughriders met the fans or more accurately members of Rider Nation that came out to support the team. The interactions between the players and fans are always sweet to see.

Beating the throw to home

A base runner from the Regina White Sox slides home safe in a game against the Parkland Expos on May 28 at Leakos Field. The contest was part of the Quinn Stevenson Memorial Under-18 AA Baseball Tournament. The Expos ultimately took the tournament title.

Valkyries roll to 4-0

Sarah Wright (#88) had a big night on May 28 as her Saskatoon Valkyries downed the Regina Riot 46-7 in a WWCFL regular season game at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Wright carried the ball 10 times for 84 yards and two touchdowns. She also caught seven passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. The Valkyries finished first in the WWCFL’s Western Conference with a 4-0 record and could host as many has three post-season games over the rest of June including the WWCFL title game on June 25.

Wrapping up in the Academy Final

A tackler from Team Black wraps up to tackle a receiver from Team Green in the North Sask Academy Championship game on June 3 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. Team Black just edged out Team Green 26-23 in an exciting final.

Cubs drive clears the bases

Infielder Kalen Parent drives in three runs with this triple hit for the Saskatoon Cubs in a Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League under-18 AAA game on June 4 at Cairns Field. Parent’s hit allowed the Cubs to down the Regina Athletics 6-3 and sweep a doubleheader.

Flat out effort

A Regina Athletic outfielder makes a diving catch in a Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League under-18 AAA game on June 5 at Cairns Field against the Saskatoon Giants. The Athletics and Giants split a doubleheader.

An off-speed challenge

A Saskatoon Shock pitcher throws an off-speed pitch during a Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association game at Glenn Reeve Field #3 on June 7. The Shock downed the Saskatoon Sabres 11-4 in a battle of under-23 teams.

Home is where the heart is for Neufeld

O-lineman finds stomping grounds in Sask. and the ’Peg

By Darren Steinke
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Patrick Neufeld, left, shares a chuckle with Evan Johnson.

Patrick Neufeld proved a good old Saskatchewan boy can be a proud Winnipegger too.

Neufeld grew up in Regina and graduated from Luther College High School in 2006. Following high school, he suited up as offensive lineman for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies Football team from 2006 to 2010.

Following his time with the Huskies, Neufeld cracked into the CFL in 2011 with his hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders, but was traded to the rival Winnipeg Blue Bombers in October of 2013.

With the Blue Bombers, Neufeld has become a Winnipeg hero after helping the team win two Grey Cups.

“It is a pretty special place that I’ve grown quite fond of, and (I’ve met) a lot of really cool people there that are important people in my life,” said Neufeld, who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 311 pounds. “I’m glad I’ve gotten a chance to know them and form those relationships.”

Neufeld spends his CFL off-seasons in Saskatoon, where he trains for the upcoming campaign at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex. He regularly helps out as a guest coach at the annual Playground to Pros camp run by Saskatoon Minor Football. The camp helps develop skills and fundamentals at the grassroots level.

During his years at the U of S, Neufeld carved out his place in Huskies lore. He was a red shirt in 2006, when the Huskies fell as the host team in the U Sports title game - the Vanier Cup - 13-8 to the Universite Laval Rouge et Or at Griffiths Stadium.

Neufeld was on the active roster from 2007 to 2010, and he was named a U Sports first team all-Canadian all-star at tackle in 2010.

That run with the Huskies ensured Neufeld always had roots in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan.

When he arrived in Winnipeg in October of 2013, Neufeld developed roots that would ensure he was always identified with Manitoba’s capital city. 

Patrick Neufeld (#53) blocks for the Bombers in 2018.

He ultimately became a starter for the Bombers and helped them win the Grey Cup in consecutive seasons in 2019 and 2021.

The 2020 CFL season was lost due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic that gripped the world.

On top of winning a second straight Grey Cup in 2021, Neufeld had a stellar personal campaign making starts at right guard and right tackle being named a West Division all-star and a CFL all-star at offensive guard. He was also given the Bombers prestigious Cal Murphy ‘Heart of a Legend’ Award for sportsmanship and dedication to the CFL and the community.

Neufeld has felt the dedication of the Bombers’ fans and is impressed how they seemingly know everything about the team’s history including the club’s 10 previous Grey Cup wins before he joined the squad. He has seen Bombers fans keep past players close to their hearts.

“They are the best fans in the CFL,” said Neufeld. “They’re passionate.

“They’re knowledgeable. They care about the team. They care to a point where they have expectations, which is great, because it forces us as players to match those expectations.

“We want to put on a great show for our fans. They’re extremely loud, and they make playing in IGF (Field) really, really hostile. It is a great community, and I’m really proud to represent those fans and that community every week.”

Before joining the Bombers, Neufeld was selected in the fifth round and 33^rd overall in the 2010 CFL Draft by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Neufeld started playing for his hometown CFL team in 2011.

A trade on October 6, 2013 saw the Roughriders send Neufeld and a fourth round selection in the 2015 CFL Draft to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for defensive end Alex Hall and a second round selection in the 2014 CFL Draft.

Patrick Neufeld demonstrates offensive line hand positioning.

Hall helped the Roughriders win the Grey Cup at home in 2013, but his professional football career came to an end a couple of seasons later.

Neufeld is still continuing to build on his status as an all-time Bombers great. Even with that said, he enjoys returning to Saskatoon in the off-season and looks forward to helping with the Playground to Pros camp.

“It is awesome,” said Neufeld. “Saskatoon has been home for a long time now, and SMF does a phenomenal job of putting these camps on.

“I think I’ve done every single playground to pros camp that they’ve ever put on. It is just a cool camp to see kids come out get to learn all these different positions from really great Huskie players and pro players across the CFL. They do a great job of bringing in all sorts of people to this camp and give everyone a chance to learn this great game of football.”

Neufeld naturally coaches offensive line skills at the camps and enjoys seeing the spark kids get, when they realize they can do what they are being shown.

“That is the coolest part is when you see a kid kind of like click into the things you’re trying to teach them, and then they go do it in a drill or in a game,” said Neufeld. “Their eyes light up when you’re congratulating them.

“They get super excited, and they are motivated. It is just those little sparks of joy that make coaching this game really fun and really special. It is the best game in the world, and camps like this is why it is.”

On January 11, Neufeld signed a contract extension with the Bombers to remain with the team through the end of the upcoming 2022 campaign. He has studied the history of the Bombers, which includes watching highlight videos of the team’s Grey Cup championship years in 1988 and 1990 on YouTube.

Patrick Neufeld, centre, chats with coaches at the Playground to Pros camp.

At age 33, Neufeld could potentially play a few more seasons before hanging up the cleats. When he does retire as a player, Neufeld knows he could potentially face an opportunity to make Winnipeg home due to his now storied history with the Bombers.

With that noted, he tries to not look too far ahead.

“I take it year by year now,” said Neufeld. “I’ve said that for a while.

“I’m going to play this season and see how the body feels and see how the year goes and make a decision with family after that.”

Spring season off and running in Sweet happenings in photos

By Gordie Howe Sports Complex staff
Gordie Howe Sports Complex

Cubs pitcher Brady Wouters fires home a split-finger throw.

The spring season is off and running at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex.

The sports of baseball, football, softball and track and field took off during the first nine days of May in a big way. The baseball and softball diamonds, Saskatoon Minor Football Field and the Track and Field Track were sites filled with familiar activity.

From league and tournament games in baseball and softball, to academy contests in football and the first Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate track and field meet held since 2019, there was a tonne of action waiting to be captured on photos.

The lead photo of this post sees Saskatoon Cubs pitcher Brady Wouters unloading a split-finger hurl at Cairns Field on May 5 in an under-18 AAA contest in the Saskatchewan Premier Baseball League.

As April came to a close, the Indoor Training Centre still was a centre of attention for activity. Besides baseball and softball teams gearing up for their season, Saskatoon Minor Football held its annual Playground to Pros camp just after the Easter weekend and some rugby teams stopped in to work on sharpening skills in their sport.

The activity that happens on our grounds continues to provide great material for our continuing photo roundups.

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 11 shots we hope you enjoy.

All in technique

A tackler ensures his form is correct as he closes in to take down a ball carrier during a drill at the Playground to Pros camp session on April 19 at the Indoor Training Centre. The camp run by Saskatoon Minor Football held around Easter time helps develop skills and fundamentals at the grassroots level.

Picture perfect Playground to Pros coaches

The coaches for Saskatoon Minor Football’s Playground to Pros camp pose for a coaches team picture on the event’s final day on April 21 at the Indoor Training Centre. The coaches included some current CFL players and coaches who have helped a number of minor teams locally in the city.

Looking for an escape

A ball carrier looks to elude a defender during a Wild Oats Rugby Club practice session on April 24 at the Indoor Training Centre. Rugby teams made a few more visits to the Indoor Training Centre in April as their seasons closed in.

Ready to tee off

A hitter from the Going Yard Training Centre is set to unload on a hit during a training session on April 25, 2022. The Going Yard players were getting in some final work before taking the field with various teams for the spring season.

Focused on the open field

After an interception, a player from the Marion M. Graham Collegiate Falcons focuses on jetting downfield on a long return at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on April 25. This game between the Falcons and Evan Hardy Collegiate Souls was one of many that took place that day in the Rush High School Female Flag Football League overseen by Saskatoon Minor Football.

Valkyries great in prime form

Saskatoon Valkyries all-time great running back Sam Matheson breaks a tackle on a run to the end zone at Saskatoon Minor Football Field on May 1. Matheson and the Valkyries open their WWCFL regular season schedule with a 43-14 win over the Manitoba Fearless.

Up and over

A pole vaulter takes to the sky to clear the bar during a Saskatoon Secondary Schools Athletic Directorate meet on May 4 at the Track and Field Track. That May 4 meet marked the first SSSAD meet held at the track since 2019.

Spectators out in droves

A large group of spectators came out to support the athletes competing at a Saskatoon Secondary School Athletic Directorate meet on May 4 at the Track and Field Track. It was great to see the supporters filling the stands in front of the K+S Potash Canada Multi-Sports Centre.

Airing it out

Quarterback Quinn Hofer fires a pass deep downfield for Team Gold during a North Sask Academy game on May 6 at Saskatoon Minor Football Field. The North Sask Academy is another great program operated by Saskatoon Minor Football.

Raiders pitcher brings the heat

A Saskatoon Raiders pitcher fires in a throw during a game at a Glenn Reeve Fields diamond on May 7 at a game played in a tournament hosted by the Raiders zone. The Raiders zone tournament was the first big softball tournament held at the Complex in the 2022 season.

Drive to impress

A hitter drives the ball into the outfield during a Softball Canada Women’s National Team Identification Camp at Bob Van Impe Stadium on May 9. Bob Van Impe Stadium will be the site of a July 1 doubleheader between Canada’s Women’s National Team and the Czech Republic with game start times set for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. locally. The contests are part of the Women’s National Team Celebration Tour that celebrates the team’s historic Olympic Bronze Medal win at the Toyko 2020 Olympic Games. Ticket information and streaming details for the Saskatoon stop of the tour will be announced at a later date on the Women’s National Team Celebration Tour website.