By Western Hockey League

The weather may be cold, but the reception will be warm when the CIBC Canada Russia Series returns to the land of Living Skies next week.

For six members of the team that will represent the Western Hockey League, it’ll be a welcomed homecoming for those who call the province their birthplace.

“Saskatchewan is represented pretty well for the series coming up,” said Spokane Chiefs forward Adam Beckman, a prospect of the Minnesota Wild and a product of Saskatoon. “It’s really exciting. I know Schneider well and Korczak. I’m really excited to be playing with them.”

Up front, the forward core boasts Saskatoon talent in Beckman and 2020 NHL Draft prospect Connor Zary. Joining them are Vancouver Canucks prospect Carson Focht of Regina and Montreal Canadiens prospect Cole Fonstad of Estevan. On the blue line, Vegas Golden Knights prospect Kaedan Korczak of Yorkton and 2020 NHL Draft prospect Braden Schneider of Prince Albert will take to the ice at the event.

Yorkton’s Nolan Maier will be between the pipes, but has established himself as one of the league’s top goaltenders with the Saskatoon Blades.

“It’s going to be really cool for us and I’m just looking forward to the moment with him,” Maier said of reuniting with Korczak.

With Fonstad recently being acquired by the Everett Silvertips, five of those six skaters play in the Western Conference, meaning they rarely get a chance to be back home.

For Beckman and Zary, the return is a reunion as well for the self-described best friends. Though it may seem like forever ago, the pair were front and present the last time the CIBC Canada Russia Series came to Saskatoon, watching future NHL stars battle to a 3-2 decision in favour of Russia thanks to an 11-round shootout in 2014.

“It was a really cool experience getting to watch that,” Beckman said of the game in 2014. “To be the guy on the ice is going to be pretty cool.”

With each of them at different stages of the path to the NHL, Beckman already drafted and Zary a ‘B’-rated prospect by NHL Central Scouting, they relished at the chance to be the ones on the ice now.

“Getting a chance to go there and play with him, it’s going to be a special moment for the both of us,” Zary said.

“You grow up going to those games as a kid and hoping one day that you could play there too. Coming back, it’s a cool moment.”

In addition to Schneider, the pair will be able to showcase their hometowns to the top-tier WHL talent and the Russian National Junior Team.

Zary and Beckman both still carry fond memories of their time in Saskatoon’s minor hockey system. Whether it’s playing outside or indoors, Beckman said the love of the sport at its strongest when he’s home.

“There’s just so many kids that want to play hockey and grow up and be hockey players,” Beckman said. “I think that’s the biggest thing that stands out.”

Overall, the group will restore pride for the province at the six-game series.

Following an appearance by Shaunavon’s Kole Lind in 2017, Team WHL’s roster in 2018 featured zero players from the province. In 2016, Lane Pederson Connor Hobbs, and Connor Ingram all represented Saskatchewan at the event, giving the province a player at each position like there is this year.