Keep the Community up-to-date on your team scores , events , photos and tournaments . Submit material to jhayward @ sasktel . net or drop it off at the Martensville Messenger Office at Bay # 7 - 301 Centennial Drive North to be included in our weekly sports report .
Midget Pirates Bring Home C Final
If you have a sporting event that you would like included in an upcoming issue of the Martensville Messenger , please contact jhayward @ sasktel . net
Janine Hayward Martensville Messenger
Janine Hayward , Martensville Messenger
The Martensville Midget Pirates , coached by Steve Adair , travelled to Vermillion , Alberta for a tournament this weekend . They won their first game against Vermillion 14-0 but lost their second to Edson 7-3 . They played Cold Lake in the C-Final and won 3-2 in sudden death overtime with Mitchell Saluski tapping in the overtime winner .
mARteNsville messeNgeR - JANUARY 19 , 2017 - Page 9
SPORTS
BELOW : The Martensville Midget Pirates won the C Final in sudden death overtime this past weekend . ( Photo submitted )
Durant is Done Janine Hayward , Martensville Messenger
Roughriders head coach , Chris Jones , announced on Friday that the team has traded their longtime quarterback and crowd favourite , Darian Durant , to the Montreal Alouettes . This was not good luck for Durant with the news coming on Friday the 13th . Durant sent out a message on his website to all Rider fans saying how much he cherished his time with the Riders . He spent 11 seasons with the green and white . “ Although I wanted to stay , everyone ' s time comes and this is mine . I have so many cherished memories of my time in green ,” commented Durant . Durant was going to become a free agent in February so trading him to Montreal netted the Riders a fourth-round selection in the 2017 draft and a conditional selection in the 2018 draft .
Darian Durant has won two Grey Cup rings in his 11 years with the Roughriders , the last coming in 2013 . In his 157 career , regular season games , he was second among franchise quarterbacks with 3519 attempts , 2186 completions and 149 touchdowns . In 113 regular season starts , he had a 58-54-1 record and was named West Division All-Star in 2009 and 2013 . Injuries reduced his playing time in 2014-15 , and last season he could only manufacture five wins for the team . Currently the team has five quarterbacks signed but all of them with only minimal CFL experience . Jones , who is also the team ’ s general manager , wanted to resign Durant but the two sides could not agree . Jones felt it was time to start rebuilding , as a 34-year-old Durant is not getting any younger .
Many Rider fans were stunned with the announcement . In reading some of the tweets , fans were disappointed that Durant would not have an opportunity to play in the new stadium . Durant is still in negotiations with the Alouettes and they are confident that he will play a big role on their team next season . Montreal was looking for a veteran quarterback with experience as they have had QB woes with 12 different quarterbacks hitting the field since Anthony Calvillo retired .
Jones and the coaching staff will have their hands full grooming a new starter . It seems like the Riders are ending an old era with the loss of Durant and Taylor Field in one season and looking to rebuilding a new era and new Rider team for
2017 . LEFT : Darian Durant in September 2016 . ( Dean Hofer )
JOIN US
Prairie Women on Snowmobiles
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On Wednesday , February 1st at the Adobe Inn , Martensville , for an evening in support of Prairie Women on Snowmobiles , as they ride across Saskatchewan to raise awareness and funds for Breast Cancer .
Tickets are $ 30.00
Roast Beef and Chicken Dinner 50-50 Draw Dutch Auction Silent Auction Cash Bar Doors open at 6:00 p . m . Supper at 7:00 p . m .
Tickets can be purchased at the Canalta Hotel , Martensville , or Proline Motorsports , Saskatoon .
You can also contact Gerri Sametts ( 306-280-4941 ) or Arnie Deschner ( 306-222-7771 ).
Proudly presented by the Martensville & District Kinsmen