Photo credit: Facebook Saskatchewan Roughriders
It’s my Parting Shot for some Weekend Short Shots…..
As I expected, the Saskatchewan Roughriders got the first step towards being a serious contender to repeat as Grey Cup champions done yesterday when they signed Trevor Harris to a one-year contract extension. That last word is key to the Green and White and what they do to bring back as many of the key championship pieces as they possibly can. Extending Harris suggests that he’s agreed to the same salary as he made in 2025, believed to be in the 450-thousand dollar range. Now to see how many guys, G-M Jeremy O’Day can convince to re-sign for the same as in 2025, or a minimal increase! The Three Down Nation website suggested yesterday that Grey Cup Game Most Outstanding Canadian Samuel Emilus could command upwards of 250-grand if he decides to test free agency next February. But, he seems to want to come back to the Riders, as long as Harris returns – which he has! Let the intrigue begin and the dominoes fall!!
It was something that I expected would happen, but a few days earlier than I expected, when the Saskatoon Blades dealt Ethan McCallum to Penticton yesterday. I really thought something would happen once Hockey Canada made their decision as to whether Evan Gardner would be on the World Junior team. Y’see, both McCallum and Gardner are 19-years-old – something that is rare to find in a goaltender tandem in the W-H-L, and certainly in my time calling Bridge City Bunch games. The older you are as a goalie, the former chances to play you want. For McCallum, this is a good move – he’ll get the opportunity to play a lot for the expansion Vees. For the Blue and Gold, the move is a chance to get Ryley Budd and Taye Timmerman playing time and integrated into what life during a W-H-L regular-season is all about because they’ll be the likely tandem next season!!
All the best to Derek Keenan, Jimmy Quinlan and the rest of the Saskatchewan Rush as they start their 2025-26 National Lacrosse League season tomorrow night at SaskTel Centre against the arch-rival Calgary Roughnecks. The Rush are coming off being in the league final this past spring and will be hard-pressed to get back to the final, let alone take the next step up and claim the title! But, if anyone can will it to happen, it’s the wily veteran G-M and co-head coach Keenan!!
That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!
