For the first time, there is an agreement between the Saskatchewan Midget AAA hockey league, the SJHL and the WHL for a player development model, announced on Sept. 23 during the September Showcase in Saskatoon.

The agreement will allow the three major leagues to work together to develop players and retain players within the province. In previous years, the three leagues worked separately and competed against each other.

"I think the three leagues tried to work in a vacuum or isolation," said SJHL president Laury Ryan.

Ryan said that, instead of the three leagues trying to compete against each other, they will be working together to do what is in the best interest of the hockey players.

He also believed that it will create some corporate spin-offs to make the leagues stronger.

"You now have the three bodies at the table talking now," Ryan said.

For the Weyburn Red Wings, coach Dwight McMillan had the same feelings about Ryan regarding the deal.

McMillan thought that the three leagues, working together to develop players within the province, could only be a benefit to each league.

"I think it will make each league much stronger," McMillan said.

The new agreement will benefit players the most. Players who are ready to move to the next level of competition will be counseled, along with their parents, to decide what is best for the player.

McMillan likes this idea because it will allow the Red Wings and other teams in the SJHL have a better opportunity to develop their players and they will leave only when they are ready to move on to the WHL.

The leagues are working together to find the best way possible for players to transfer to the next level.

"You will see the three leagues lay out the best possible options for the player," said SJHL Public Relations Officer Mike Stackhouse.

The new agreement allows players to spend more time playing in their respective leagues and become better hockey players.

The suggestions from the three leagues can also have an opposite reaction. If a player is stuck on the fourth line in the SJHL, they may get a suggestion from the league to return to Midget AAA.

Red Wings general manager Ron Rumball thought the deal is an advantage to the players. He believes it will give players more ice time and less time sitting on the bench.

"I think it will provide benefits not only in Saskatchewan, but in the western Canada region," Rumball said.

Rumball is glad to know that the lines of communication between the leagues is open. He believes that better players means better hockey clubs which, in turn, makes better leagues.

This development model isn't restricted to just players. Coaches and officials will also be able to progress through the new system.

In the last couple of years, Hockey Canada has attempted to make a Canadian player development model, but Saskatchewan in the first province to go ahead with the plan.