By Hockey Saskatchewan

With Showcase 2005 in full swing in Saskatoon this week, today the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, the Western Hockey League, Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and the Saskatchewan Midget AAA League unveil the great strides they have made in initiating and authoring a hockey development model for the province of Saskatchewan. President of the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, Al Hubbs, made the official announcement.

Today’s announcement of the new Saskatchewan Development Model has been and will continue to be supported by Kelly McClintock, General Manager of the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, Al Hubbs, President of the Saskatchewan Hockey Association, Ron Robison, Commissioner of the Western Hockey League, Laury Ryan, President of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, Lloyd Friesen, President of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA League.

Also supporting and in attendance at today’s media conference were President & Governor of the Saskatoon Blades, Jack Brodsky (WHL Representative on SHA Board of Directors) and Graham Tuer Life Member & Saskatchewan Midget AAA League), both gentlemen who have greatly contributed to this Model.

The Saskatchewan Hockey Development Model is designed to provide amateur hockey players in our province a roadmap to participation in all levels of the sport and has been designed collectively for the best interests of the athlete when it comes to health, education and hockey development. The purpose is to develop and maintain a Saskatchewan "€œAthlete-Centered Focus" Player Development Program.

A summary of the Saskatchewan Hockey Development Model’s key points are listed below:

• Building on the framework of the Canadian Development Model introduced by Hockey Canada recently, the Saskatchewan Player Development Model has brought together the top three development leagues to improve on the manner in which players advance through the Saskatchewan system.
• The Saskatchewan Player Development Model is a landmark agreement for hockey in Saskatchewan and is the first of its kind in the Canadian hockey system.
• For the first time in Saskatchewan Hockey Association history, all levels of the game have agreed to work cooperatively and to ensure the system serves the best interests of the players development.