Assiniboia rolls out red carpet for SJHL's Weyburn Red Wings after rink closure

The Weyburn Red Wings are carrying on with their Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) season, despite their hometown rink being temporarily shuttered, thanks to the generosity of those in Assiniboia, Sask, a town of about 2,400 and around 160 kilometres west of the team's home.    

"It was honestly, almost unbelievable to think, within 18 hours, we had about 23 billet beds. We had ice time. We had accommodations for coaches, we had meals,” explained Red Wings head voach and general manager Cody Mapes.

“It was pretty, pretty extraordinary."

Due to mechanical issues with the ice plant at the Red Wings' home rink in Weyburn, the team was searching for new home ice on short notice.

A Facebook post by Assiniboia's recreation and community wellness manager, Stephanie Van De Sype, quickly gained traction.

"It was insane. I think the post had 550 shares. The whole province was talking about it. Everyone knew about it. You couldn't walk down the street without somebody saying, well, I could take someone in, or I know somebody who could take someone," Van De Sype told CTV News.

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The town ended up with more billet families than necessary – something Mayor Sharon Schauenberg, believes speaks to the heart of her community.

"The call went out, and I think within 12 hours, everything was in place. So, we are so lucky and so privileged to be able to have this rink in itself, but to have the teams reach out to us in small communities,” she explained.

“That's what we do. We help out where we can ... the people in this community are amazing, bar none. The most incredible, amazing people I've ever met."

Many of those who offered their homes to the team have some aspiring hockey players in their families as well.

"It's pretty awesome because both of my brothers are gone … and it's just nice having another guy around the house,” explained 14-year-old Caydin Karst.

"The first day was just kind of talk about, but we played some badminton in my shop and ping pong and darts and all that fun stuff.”

Mason Van De Sype, 13, had a similar experience with his newfound housemate.

"We play a lot of Fortnite together, eat together, lots of pizza, play mini sticks and stuff like that,” he explained.

"Last night we played so mini sticks and it was really fun. I'm really looking forward to the games here in town. It'll be really fun,” Cole Pituleui, also 13, explained.

For many of the young athletes, its an opportunity to be inspired

"It makes me push myself and then think that I'll get there that one day," 13-year-old, Houston Hillmar said. “Yeah, I think I'm gonna push myself as best as I can, try to be like him and go play college hockey.”

(Left to right) Mason Van De Sype, Caydin Karst, Houston Hillmar and Cole Pituleui are all excited to have Weyburn Red Wings players billeting with their families. (Hallee Mandryk/CTV News)

Van De Sype went on to express that the Red Wings’ stay in Assiniboia will be a fun opportunity for the town.

“We're not looking for anything in return. We want to help them out. We want to see some good hockey,” she said.

“That's what small town Saskatchewan's all about."

During their stint in the “Heart of the Golden South,” the Red Wings will be nicknamed the Assiniboia-Weyburn Red Wings, and the team plans to provide a full game day experience for the community.

The City of Weyburn hopes to have the Red Wings back in their home rink after the SJHL's holiday break or early in the new year.