Windspeaker Sports Briefs - November

Yellow Horn leads Americans

Colton Yellow Horn is once again expected to be one of the top offensive threats for the Texas-based Allen Americans. Yellow Horn, who is Blackfoot, is from Brocket, Alta. The 24-year-old is now in his fourth season of professional hockey. He joined the Americans, who compete in the Central Hockey League, early on during the 2009-10 season.

Last year, during his first full season with the club, Yellow Horn led the Americans with 88 points (33 goals, 55 assists) in 66 games. He added 16 points, including six goals, in 10 playoff contests.

The Americans are the fourth pro team that Yellow Horn has played for. He had stints with the East Coast Hockey League’s Elmira Jackals and Stockton Thunder. And he started his pro career with Salzburg, a squad in Austria’s pro league. He played 11 games with Salzburg during the 2008-09 campaign before returning to North America and joining the Elmira team.

As for his junior days, Yellow Horn spent three seasons toiling in his home province, suiting up for the Western Hockey League’s Lethbridge Hurricanes from 2003-06. He spent his final two junior seasons with the WHL’s Tri-City Americans, who are based in the state of Washington.

The Allen Americans compete in the 14-team CHL. The club was scheduled to begin its 2011-12 regular season on Oct. 21.

Starring in Dallas

Though it’s still rather early in the season, Sheldon Souray just might be in for an impressive National Hockey League campaign.

Souray, a Metis who is from Elk Point, Alta., is a three-time NHL all-star, having participated in the league’s showcase match in 2004, ’07 and ’09.

The 35-year-old is obviously hoping to continue his solid play from the early portions of the 2011-12 season. Souray, who signed on as a free agent this past July with the Dallas Stars, collected five points, including one goal, during his first six games in the Lone Star State.

No doubt Souray is pleased just to be back in the NHL. Earlier in his pro career, Souray was viewed as one of the NHL’s best defencemen.

And he was thrilled when he signed a five-year contract worth $27 million to play in his home province with the Edmonton Oilers in 2007.

Souray though suffered through his share of injuries during his years in Edmonton. And after criticizing the Oilers’ medical staff, the club’s brass banished him to the minors last season.

He spent the entire 2009-10 year with the American Hockey League’s Hershey Bears.

The Oilers then bought out the final year of his contract, allowing him to become a free agent and paving the way for him to sign with Dallas.

Should he remain healthy (play all 84 regular season contests with the Stars) and continue to produce at his current pace, Souray would end up with a 70-point season.

This figure would represent a career high in the NHL. His best season thus far offensively was during the 2006-07 campaign with the Montreal Canadiens when he earned 64 points, including 26 goals in 81 games.

Hoops tournament

Alberta’s Siksika First Nation is looking for entrants for its SUNS Classic basketball tournament.

The event, which is scheduled for March 8 to March 10, will be staged at the Siksika High School.

The tournament will feature both girls’ and boys’ division for those in grades 7 to 9.

The registration fee is $150 per team. The registration deadline is Feb. 14. More information is available by calling Guy Morin at (403) 734-5400 or by emailing moring@siksikaboardofeducation.com

Sports forum in Manitoba

An Aboriginal sports forum will be staged in Dauphin, Man. The event, which is scheduled for Nov. 4, is hosted by the Manitoba Aboriginal Sports and Recreation Council. All were welcome to attend the forum, including sports leaders and recreation directors.

Among those who will be speaking at the forum are officials from the host council, as well as representatives of various groups including Softball Manitoba, Athletics Manitoba and Special Olympics Manitoba.

There is a $10 registration fee to attend the forum. Those who pre-register by Oct. 31 are eligible to win two tickets to a Winnipeg Jets’ game.

For more information contact Melvin Magpantay via email, melvin.magpantay@sportmanitoba.ca, or call (204) 925-5737.