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Jayce 'The ACE' Legaarden is just one win away from a provincial championship.

Legaarden and the Winkler Flyers have a three games to none lead over the Steinbach Pistons in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) final heading into game four which will be played in Winkler on Friday night. The former Parkland Ranger all-star and Grandview native has been outstanding for Winkler in the playoffs as he's tied for playoff goal scoring with seven goals and has 10 points. 

Winkler can solidify their Centennial Cup berth on Friday evening while the Pistons will look to force game five which would be played in Niverville. If they are to win Friday, Winkler would join the Calgary Canucks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL),  Sioux Lookout Bombers of the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL), and the host Oakville Blades of the Ontario Junior Hockey League (OJHL) as teams that have already clinched spots in the May 9 to 19 event. 

Winker's last championship was in 1998 when they beat the St. James Canadians. The Pistons; meanwhile, who find themselves on the brink of elimination, were crowned champions last year.

Look Ahead:

As the push to game four continues, the MJHL has announced their Prospects Draft will take place on Sunday, June 2 at 10:00 a.m. This year's Draft will feature Manitoba prospects born in 2008.

Before the MJHL Draft, teams may submit up to two Auto-Protect selections from their designated home zone. During the Auto-Protect process, teams can decline an Auto-Protect selection and defer that pick to Round 7 or 8 of the draft.

In last year's draft, the Dauphin Kings selected Ethan Stewart of the Brandon Wheat Kings with the seventh overall selection. Ethan is competing at the Telus Cup with the Brandon Wheat Kings this week. Brady Turko of McCreary was taken 12th overall by Steinbach; however, he is not expected to suit up for the Pistons as he will be with the Wheat Kings next year. Dauphin also auto-protected Luke Myhre and Sam Swanton.

Swan Valley auto-protected Tavyn Boychuk and Tyrell Leaske. With the 11th overall selection, the Stampeders selected Carson Legault. 

Other Notable Parkland players drafted in the 2023 MJHL Draft:

• Ryan Gower (McCreary) 21st overall - Dauphin
• Easton Odut (Dauphin) 35th overall - Dauphin
• Cade Legaarden (Grandview) 67th overall - Swan Valley 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 25, 2024 - 3:38 pm

Brady Turko has found the back of the net again; however, it came in defeat.

Playing their fourth game at the Telus Cup, the Brandon Wheat Kings lost to the Calgary Buffaloes, 3-1. Calgary represents the Pacific region while Brandon is the West region representative. 

Turko scored his third tournament goal in the defeat and Jaxon Jacobson added an assist. Brandon held a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes, but they recorded just 15 shots in the remaining two periods while not scoring a goal. The Wheat Kings also went scoreless on the power play across three chances, yielding a perfect penalty kill as they went 4-for-4. 

Sitting at 2-2, Brandon sits in third place, but they could drop to fourth if Markham beats the host Sydney Rush on Thursday evening. They are 2-1 while the Rush have been dominated in each of their three contests so far.

Brandon will wrap up their round-robin on Friday against Markham. The Wheat Kings have already qualified for Saturday's semi-final, their opponent is to be determined. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 25, 2024 - 2:41 pm

Carla Wolfenden returned home to Dauphin with very little voice and she was still on a high from what had just happened.

The Stanley Cup Playoffs returned to Manitoba's capital as the Winnipeg Jets earned home-ice advantage for their first round series against Nathan MacKinnon and the Colorado Avalanche.

The 'Whiteout' was in full effect outside of Canada Life Centre as thousands of Jets fans hit the streets outside the rink to support the home team as they went up against one of the most talented teams in the league.

Fortunately for Carla and a few of her family members, they were able to enter the facility as they had tickets to game one. Inside was a scene like no other. Every single seat was covered with a white towel and well ahead of gametime, not a seat was available. Not only was it a whiteout outside, but it was one inside as well.

While she had been to a whiteout party in the past, she says this year's version was next level.

"Epic is the right word for it, we had gone in 2018 as well," said Wolfenden. "We were so upset in 2018 when we didn't have tickets to the game. When they went on sale this go around, we knew we had to get them. Arriving to the whiteout, you can just feel the energy, everyone was so happy to be back in that atmosphere."

Carla has been to a number of high profile events in the past, but the Jets game on Sunday, April 21 takes the cake.

"It's just a different type of environment," said Wolfenden. "That building was just insane. You get chills from the feeling of being in the arena, everyone is having a blast. I wish everyone could experience that just once, it's certainly worth it."

The game was also somewhat of an emotional rollercoaster for fans in attendance inside the rink and out. Six goals were scored in the first 20 minutes as the two clubs went into the dressing room tied at three. Winnipeg took a 4-3 lead after 40 minutes and then a wild third period was in store.

Kyle Connor's power play goal 5:51 into the third gave Winnipeg a comfortable 6-3 lead. That comfort feeling quickly slipped away for the Jets as Artturi Lehkonen cut the deficit to two just more than 30 seconds later; however, Connor's second goal in a matter of minutes restored Winnipeg's three-goal lead.

Cale Makar then scored on the power play to trim the deficit to two and Casey Mittelstadt scored with 30 seconds left to cut the deficit to one. Ultimately, that is as close as the Avalanche would get as Winnipeg held on for a thrilling 7-6 win and it will go down as a night that Carla and company will never forget.

"It was insane, it was such a rollercoaster," ended Wolfenden. "Things were getting pretty scary down the stretch, but it made for a really exciting game. We would sit down for two minutes and then get back up to cheer. It was a blast, something I will never forget."

Looking to take a two games to none lead in the best-of-seven on Tuesday night, the Jets were unable to build off an opening goal by David Gustafsson and the 1-0 lead they held after 20 minutes. Colorado scored four times in the second period, including two in the final 2:40 of the frame and they coasted in the third period en route to a 5-2 victory to tie the series at a game apiece.

The series now shifts to Denver as Colorado gets set to host game three on Friday evening with game four being played on Sunday afternoon. Winnipeg will host game five next Tuesday while if need be, game six returns to Colorado next Thursday and should a seventh game be required, Winnipeg would host that game on Saturday, May 4. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 25, 2024 - 10:00 am

Easton Odut has hit the scoresheet at the Telus Cup, Canada's U18 National Hockey Championship.

Playing their third game of the event in Nova Scotia, Odut scored with 22 seconds left in the first in a 2-1 win against the Kensington Wild. It was Odut's first of the tournament while Brady Turko of McCreary had an assist on the goal as did Jaxon Jacobson.

Declan Hoad scored the game-winner for Brandon as the Wheat Kings have now won back-to-back games after losing their first game to Cantonniers de Magog of Quebec. Brady Turko also has two goals in the tournament so far.

Brandon will now play the Calgary Buffaloes on Thursday morning. Calgary has two wins to their name and an overtime loss. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 24, 2024 - 4:29 pm

It's a beautiful thing.

The Dauphin Lake Golf Club is set to open for the season on Thursday, April 25.

The course is in great shape and Shawn Woods is back as general manager and Class 'A' professional. You can now book your tee times by calling 638-9400.

You can get a full list of rates at Golf Dauphin Lake and memberships are still available. Tee times on Thursday will begin at noon.

The first big event at the course will be the Gary Brandon Memorial which runs from May 31 to June 2.

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 24, 2024 - 3:29 pm

Aiden Ziprick found himself at a crossroads, facing a weighty decision.

On one hand, several NCAA Division 1 teams were interested in recruiting him. On the other, the Lethbridge Hurricanes, a storied franchise in the Western Hockey League (WHL), had their sights set on him. The Hurricanes had drafted him in the seventh round, 148th overall, during the 2020 WHL Prospects Draft.

Despite the challenge, Aiden chose the WHL path as his best course. Starting his junior career with 57 games played for the Waywayseecappo Wolverines, Ziprick then embarked on a journey to join the Hurricanes, spanning nearly nine hours.

There, he concluded the 2022-23 season with 30 games played for the WHL team. However, his time in Lethbridge was short-lived. Just two games into this season, the 2005-born defenseman found himself traded to the Moose Jaw Warriors in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2026 WHL Prospects Draft.

Throughout his stint with the Hurricanes, Aiden contributed three points to the team and remains deeply appreciative of the opportunity given to him.

"I can't thank that organization enough, they brought me in last year and gave me a chance," said Ziprick. "I enjoyed my time there, the guys were great and I had great billets."

New Beginning:

As a Warrior, Aiden took to the ice for his first game with the team on September 29 of this season, greeted by 2729 enthusiastic fans at the Moose Jaw Events Centre. Throughout the season, he played 52 regular-season games, marking a significant milestone with his first WHL goal while also tallying six assists.

A notable aspect of Aiden's journey was the consistent presence of his family in the stands. Despite the distance, his parents and brother frequently made the journey from Russell, a little over three hours away from Moose Jaw, to watch him play firsthand.

This commitment to support isn't new; his family was a fixture in the stands during Keaton's tenure with the Parkland Rangers program. As Aiden continues to live his dream in the WHL, his family's unwavering support remains a cornerstone of his journey.

Aiden's family holds an immensely significant place in his life, serving as both his greatest supporters and a constant source of inspiration.

"It's always awesome having them in the stands, it's very special to me," offered Ziprick. "I don't think my dad has missed many games and whenever my mom can get the day off, she's always here. My brother also comes whenever he can. My family means a lot to me, so I love that they come out to support me."

It just so happens that Moose Jaw is one of the most skilled teams in the league. With guys like Denton Mateychuk to go along with Jagger Firkus, Brayden Yager, and Matthew Savoie, to name a few, the Warriors are stacked with elite players and guys who are expected to be excellent pros. 

Mateychuk leads Moose Jaw in playoff scoring with 19 points, Firkus has 18 points, Yager has 14, and Savoie has 13 points. 

"It's really special getting the chance to watch these guys every day," offered Ziprick. "They make everything look pretty easy. To watch them on and off the ice, see their habits and see what they do to recover. It helps a guy like me as I push to get to that level. They're also great guys to be around."

Journey to WHL Glory:

Sixteen teams clinched playoff berths, and among them, Moose Jaw stood out with an impressive 44 regular-season victories, placing them in the elite group of just six teams to achieve 40 or more wins.

With a strong finish, winning seven of their final 10 regular-season games, the Warriors entered the playoffs as serious contenders, boasting a formidable roster. The ultimate prize at stake is the opportunity to represent the WHL at the Memorial Cup in Saginaw come June.

Their playoff journey commenced with a dominant display against the Brandon Wheat Kings, scoring 24 goals in a commanding four-game sweep. Although the start of round two saw a setback with a loss in game one against Swift Current, Moose Jaw quickly rebounded, securing seven goals in game two and ultimately clinching the series in five games with four consecutive victories.

Now, the stage is set for the Eastern Conference Final showdown against the Saskatoon Blades, a team renowned for its elite talent, including prospect Fraser Minten of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The series kicks off in Saskatoon, with game one slated for Friday night, followed by game two the next night. The action then shifts to Moose Jaw for games three and four early next week.

In their six regular-season matchups, both teams claimed victory three times, with all games decided within regulation time. Saskatoon, like Moose Jaw, has demonstrated dominance in the playoffs, taking just five games to beat Prince Albert in round one and needing just four to beat Red Deer in round two, extending their playoff win streak to eight games after an initial loss to the Raiders.

The victor of this intense best-of-seven series will advance to face either Prince George or Portland in the WHL Final. The Western Conference Final between the Winterhawks and Cougars kicks off this weekend in Prince George.

As the Warriors gear up for the challenge ahead, including Ziprick, they are prepared for what promises to be an exhilarating and fiercely competitive series against the Blades.

"We're a confident group right now, especially after winning four straight games against a good Swift Current team," said Ziprick. "Our goal is to win a championship. We know it's going to be a great battle, Saskatoon is a very good team."

Russell Strong:

Despite its small size of about 1500 residents, the community has a remarkable history of nurturing exceptional talent. Recently, Tyson Zimmer concluded his 19-year-old season with the Vancouver Giants, showcasing his skills with 23 goals and 22 assists. Dru Mushumanski; meanwhile, is coming off his first season with the Regina Pats. He scored two goals and 10 points this year after playing three years within the Rangers program. 

Meanwhile; Aiden, having enjoyed a relaxing round of golf on Tuesday, is back on the ice Wednesday, gearing up for the team's journey to Saskatoon ahead of Friday's game against the Blades.

Just over a half day's drive from Saskatoon, the Western Conference Final will kick off on Friday with the Cougars hosting Portland, featuring another hometown talent, Ryder Thompson. Hailing from Russell like Aiden, Ryder had a standout season, recording one goal and 22 points, and has already made an impact in the playoffs with one goal and two assists.

Portland, boasting the second-highest number of regular-season victories with 48, enters the series against Prince George on an impressive streak of eight consecutive playoff wins. 

For Ziprick, representing his cherished hometown of Russell holds profound significance and pride.

"It's an honour, not many small-town kids get the chance to play in the WHL," ended Ziprick. "I'm just taking in the moment and enjoying my time while being proud to say that I am from Russell."

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 24, 2024 - 1:30 pm

Conor Geekie's time in the Western Hockey League may be over, but his season is not.

The star forward from Strathclair will join the Tucson Roadrunners of the American Hockey League. Geekie was playing with the Swift Current Broncos; however, they lost their series against the Moose Jaw Warriors in five games. The Broncos won game one, to lose the next four. 

Across nine playoff games with the Broncos, Geekie had six goals and three assists. He also played at the World Junior Hockey Championship this past winter, earning three points in five games.

As the 11th overall pick by the Arizona Coyotes, Geekie's potential departure from the WHL marks the end of an era defined by his dominance over the past few seasons. In a remarkable display, the 19-year-old recorded 111 goals and 158 assists in 215 regular-season games, complemented by 15 goals and 22 assists in 43 playoff matchups.

Although Geekie retains one more year of junior eligibility, expectations loom large for his imminent transition to full-time professionalism next season.

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 23, 2024 - 12:02 pm

The Parkland Junior Rangers of 2015 have returned home following an outstanding weekend in Winnipeg, where they secured bronze medals.

Participating in the Early Bird North American Hockey Classic, the Rangers clinched a thrilling victory over the Silver Predators, prevailing 4-3 in a dramatic shootout. Gabriel Pawlachuk emerged as a standout for Parkland, netting two goals, supported by Beckett Braun's contribution to the scoreboard.

Grayson Henderson and William Powe provided valuable assists, while Brett Hrappstead showcased exceptional skill as the goalkeeper.

Other Action:

Rangers beat the Junior Blues, 12-5.

• Gabriel Pawlachuk had seven goals;
• Brody Nepinak scored twice while adding two assists;
• Zander Ledoux had one goal and two assists;
• Greyson Chartrand also found the back of the net, as did Tucker Rezansoff;
• Easton Billett had two assists.

Rangers beat Wheatland Wild, 4-1.

• Gabriel Pawlachuk had three goals;
• Grady Sigurdson had one goal and one assist;
• Beckett Braun and Brody Nepinak both had an assist.

Rangers tie Silver Predators, 7-7.

• Brody Nepinak led the way with a pair of goals;
• Eli Pangman, Zander Ledoux, Beckett Braun, Maddux Mordon, and Tucker Rezanoff all scored one goal each
• Brett Hrappstead was in the net. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 23, 2024 - 10:28 am

The Sioux Lookout Bombers played 49 games this season, emerging victorious in 35, securing their spot in the playoffs comfortably.

The season began with a bitter memory for the Bombers, having been eliminated in the first round of the Superior International Junior Hockey League's (SIJHL) playoffs the previous year by Wisconsin in a grueling seven-game series.

However, this season's team witnessed the return of many players from that squad, and their cohesion was evident from the outset. The Bombers stormed out of the gate with nine wins in their initial 10 games, ultimately clinching second place in the regular season standings, trailing only behind the formidable Kam River Fighting Walleye. Despite Kam River's dominance over Sioux Lookout in five out of seven regular-season matchups, the Bombers remained undeterred.

A year after their early playoff exit, the Bombers showcased their strength, dispatching the Fort Frances Lakers in a decisive four-game sweep in the opening round of the Bill Salonen Cup playoffs. They continued their momentum by defeating the Thunder Bay North Stars in the second round, earning a spot in the league final against the reigning champions, Fighting Walleye.

Despite Kam River's undefeated playoff record leading up to the final, they faltered in the opening game of the series, allowing the Bombers to seize the opportunity and secure four consecutive victories, clinching the franchise's inaugural league championship.

Throughout the season, Owen Riffel, a rising star from Onanole who previously played AAA hockey with the Yellowhead Chiefs, played a pivotal role for Sioux Lookout. Riffel's impressive performances saw him finish fourth in playoff scoring with 16 points, following a third-place finish in regular-season scoring with 67 points in just 41 games.

In a fitting culmination to their journey, Riffel's teammate and close friend, Jonah Smith, scored the overtime winner, fulfilling a dream for Riffel and bringing glory to the Bombers.

"It was unreal, it was a tight game," offered Riffel. "It's just an incredible feeling, I don't know what else to say. I'm just happy that we were able to get the job done."

Sioux Lookout's stunning victory over Kam River in four consecutive games defied all expectations within the league. The Bombers' achievement etched itself into history, leaving spectators in awe. How did they manage such a feat? The answer lies in their remarkable performance on the ice: while the Fighting Walleye struggled to score, finding the net only nine times throughout the series, the Bombers showcased their offensive prowess, tallying an impressive 18 goals.

Riffel, a key player in Sioux Lookout's triumph, attributes their success to the team's performance in the second-round series. It was during this crucial stage that the Bombers found their rhythm and confidence, setting the stage for their remarkable run to the league championship.

"Thunder Bay worked hard and pushed us," said Riffel. "Once we pushed our limits and got past them, we were feeling really good ahead of the final. We knew it wouldn't be an easy series to win, so we were happy to get it done as quickly as possible."

In two weeks, the Bombers will embark on a journey to Oakville for the Centennial Cup, Canada's prestigious National Junior A Championship, scheduled from May 9 to 19. This esteemed event brings together league champions from across the country, excluding British Columbia following the BCHL's departure from Hockey Canada.

After a hiatus of two years due to the pandemic, Hockey Canada expanded the tournament to accommodate 10 teams for the past two editions. Red Lake represented the SIJHL two years ago, experiencing defeat in all four of their games, while Kam River faced a similar fate, losing four consecutive games at last year's event.

The Bombers are poised to break an eight-game SIJHL losing streak at the upcoming tournament, commencing with their opening game on Thursday, May 09. They will face off against the champions of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, either the Winkler Flyers or Steinbach Pistons.

"We will be underdogs and we're going in with that mentality," ended Riffel. "We're going to work as hard as we can and our goal is to turn some heads at the event."

Junior A Playoff Tracker:

• Manitoba Junior Hockey League: The Winkler Flyers are leading the series two games to none against the Steinbach Pistons.
• Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League: The Melfort Mustangs have a two-game lead over the Flin Flon Bombers heading into game three.
• Maritimes Hockey League: The Miramichi Timberwolves and Summerside Western Capitals are tied at one game apiece.
• Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League: The Greater Sudbury Cubs hold a commanding three-to-one lead over the Powassan Voodoos.
• Ontario Junior Hockey League: The Collingwood Blues lead the series two games to one against the Trenton Golden Hawks.
• Central Canada Hockey League: The Navan Grads and Smiths Falls Bears are deadlocked at one game each.
• Alberta Junior Hockey League: The Calgary Canucks clinched the championship, defeating the Whitecourt Wolverines in four games, marking their first league title in over two decades.
• Quebec AAA Hockey League: Collège Français de Longueuil and Everest de la Côte-du-Sud are tied at one game apiece.

Host Team:

• The Oakville Blades will host this year's event. They were eliminated in the Western Conference semi-final in five games by the Collingwood Blues.

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 23, 2024 - 10:44 am

It was not the start they were hoping for.

Heading into the provincial championships over the weekend, the Predators 14U Volleyball Club carried a wave of confidence as the fifth seed. With three championships under their belt, they were well aware of their capability to compete against the province's top teams. Their track record included victories against all major contenders except for the tournament's number one seed, the Jr. Bisons.

However, the provincial journey began on a challenging note for the Predators as they found themselves in a power pool alongside the top-ranked, third-ranked, and seventh-ranked teams. Despite their previous successes, they faced tough opposition and suffered defeats in all three matches.

"We were in a tough pool, but I think we still played quite well," said Dave Sigvaldason. "We just didn't win some of the longer rallies and that held us back."

Facing the need for a quick turnaround, the Predators rose to the occasion. They kicked off their redemption journey with a decisive straight-set victory against Russell, followed by a nail-biting three-set triumph over Vision Black. Advancing to the quarterfinals, they maintained their momentum, dispatching Winman Rage in straight sets.

Their resilience was put to the test once more in the semi-final clash against Club West, yet the Parkland club remained steadfast and executed their game plan with precision, securing a hard-fought three-set victory to secure their spot in the championship match.

However, despite their valiant efforts, the Predators' quest for gold met its end as they succumbed to the Jr. Bisons in the championship match, falling short in straight sets.

"There was never an easy set and no easy points were to be had," offered Sigvaldason. "We pride ourselves on being gritty and outworking other teams. That's what it came down to, these girls have been so determined all season long."

While it may not have been the ending the team envisioned, finishing as the provincial runners-up after starting the event with three consecutive losses is undeniably a remarkable achievement, one that Sigvaldason and the entire team can take great pride in.

"Our players knew they had accomplished a lot and were very proud," ended Sigvaldason. "To see where we started and now finished, there is a lot to be proud of. These players will remember this season for a long time, it was an incredible ride."

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Apr 22, 2024 - 10:34 am