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The Manitoba Junior Hockey League has implemented a new Anti-Racism Player Education Program which will strengthen the league policies regarding verbal taunts, insults, and intimidation actions based on discriminatory behaviours.
Beginning in the fall, Wade Houle of Dauphin will lead seminars around anti-racism education that will be targeted at players, coaches, and support staff. Houle graduated from the Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba in 2006 and also completed his Education Graduate Diploma from Brandon University in 2018.
“I am excited about the opportunity to work with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and contributing to players and personnel on becoming anti-racist and anti-oppressive," said Houle. "This shows not only a commitment to the teams but a commitment to creating contributing and caring citizens in the Manitoba community."
The goals of the anti-discrimination education seminars are to:
- Provide players/staff with language and terminology concerning anti-discrimination and anti-oppression.
- Assist players/staff in recognizing and identifying problematic behaviours in themselves and others.
- Involve players/staff to actively engage and commit to promoting a respectful and supportive hockey culture.
Topics that will be covered during the education seminars will lay the foundation for learning about racism and discrimination:
Positionality & Intersectionality, Culture & Socialization, Prejudice & Stereotypes and Discrimination & Racism.
Kevin Saurette, the Commissioner, had this to say on the new program.
“Through internal discussions as a league over the course of the past season, it became apparent that there is much more that the MJHL could and should be doing to address racism and discrimination in our sport while also providing important and necessary anti-racism education for our players/staff," offered Saurette. "We know that discrimination unfortunately still exists in our society and this type of education is required for change to take place. This program will play an important role in the MJHL being part of the solution going forward."
Addressing Verbal taunts, Insults or Intimidation Actions or Behaviors based on Discriminatory Grounds (race, religion, color, sexual orientation, etc.)
The MJHL Board of Governors passed a motion during the 2021 MJHL AGM to strengthen MJHL policies and review procedures regarding verbal taunts, insults or intimidation actions or behaviours based on discriminatory grounds (race, religion, color, sexual orientation, etc.)
Going forward, any player, team official, executive member, or any other Hockey Canada member who is found, to have acted contrary to our Anti-Discrimination Policy, will be assessed the following minimum automatic penalties:
1st Infraction – Minimum 3 Game Suspension
2nd Infraction – Minimum 5 Game Suspension
3rd Infraction – Indefinite Suspension
“The MJHL is committed to providing a positive, respectful and inclusive hockey experience for all participants in a safe sporting environment, free of discrimination,” said Saurette.
Hundreds of young athletes of all backgrounds from across North America have taken to the ice in the MJHL over the years and continue to greatly contribute to the success of the league. The MJHL prides itself on working to ensure an inclusive atmosphere for all players, staff and their families.
“Through this balanced approach of both educating players and strengthening our review and sanction policies, we aim to raise awareness within our players and staff, to contribute positively to society and nurture an inclusive Hockey Culture within our league,” Saurette concluded.
The curtain on the 2021-22 season raises on September 17.
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Golfers will be happy to know that you will soon be able to golf with someone, outside of your household.
As of Saturday, the public health orders will allow for people to gather with up to five people -- that don't live with you -- which means foursomes will be allowed on the golf course.
The Men's Open at the Gilbert Plains Country Club is to be played next Saturday. Stay tuned for more details.
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The Manitoba Junior Hockey League announced earlier that the 2021-22 season will begin on Friday, September 17.
The Westman High School Hockey League, meanwhile, has yet to set a date as their season doesn't begin until November, in a normal year. Only a couple of games were played last season before the season was cancelled, including Dauphin's win over Crocus Plains.
Jason Alf remains co-president of the league and he says they are committed to returning to play when they are able to safely do so.
"There's still a lot of uncertainty right now with everything going on," said Alf. "We eliminated our spring meeting which would have taken place in April, so we're just moving forward and we'll see how things go."
The league is hoping to hold two meetings in the fall -- the first being a general meeting -- and the second would be a scheduling meeting. When Dauphin advanced to the league final in the 2019-20 season, 20 teams made up the WHSHL. Last year, just eight teams committed to playing the season with the remainder opting to sit out the season.
If the league does get the green light to proceed this season, Alf says the hope is to get every team that was in the league two years ago, back in it for this year.
Two years removed from going 19-2-1-1 and entering the league final as favourites, the Clippers will ice a different roster this season, if the campaign does go ahead. With many players from the past two seasons graduating, Dauphin will look to some new faces to step up and generate offence while locking down in the defensive zone.
Dauphin won their lone game last season in a rout, 7-1 against the Plainsmen.
"We're going to be young and inexperienced," said Alf. "Our goal is to always remain competitive and from what we had last year, we had a good nucleus to help us achieve that for this upcoming season and over the next few years."
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The Dauphin Minor Baseball Association has ended its season.
Refunds will be prorated based on the rental and administration fees that Dauphin Minor already had to pay. The processing fee for refunds will begin on Wednesday.
Although Dauphin Minor has cancelled the season, they may look at holding summer sessions, if restrictions allow for that.
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When the Neepawa Junior A Hockey Club hits the ice to begin their 2021-22 MJHL campaign, they will be known as the Titans.
11 months after dropping their previous nickname, the organization announced on Monday that they are now known as the Titans. A Titan is known as "one that stands out for greatness and achievement" and the organization believes their community is full of "Titans" in every facet of life.
The logo was designed by Brooks Freeman of Virden and plays off the Greek Mythological definition of Titan, “One that is gigantic in size or power,” while using a shade of gold that reflects a field of canola on the horizon.
The silver and black secondary colours pay tribute to the classic look of Neepawa Junior Hockey clubs of the 1990s.
Ken Pearson is the team's head coach and general manager.
"It's been a long time coming and I think everyone involved did a tremendous job pulling this off," said Pearson. "I think everyone is pretty excited about the new era we're starting here in Neepawa."
Neepawa used the name "Natives" for 32 years but decided to go the opposite direction after several professional teams also eliminated controversial names.
And although there is a lot of excitement in Neepawa, it's also an emotional time for Pearson. Growing up in Neepawa, Pearson played for the team and prior to returning to the organization in the 2019-20 season, he was an assistant coach from 1994-96.
"Our senior team was the Neepawa Natives as well, so that's what I knew the most, that name," offered Pearson. "So there are some mixed emotions, with that said, I'm really looking forward to this new era."
As the push to the season continues, Pearson says he's extremely busy recruiting players. Pearson will look to turn things around in Neepawa this season as they've won just 22 games over the course of the past two full campaigns.
In last year's shortened season, Neepawa was 2-6-2. He says the offseason has been extremely productive and he's looking forward to getting back to the rink for main camp in the fall.
"Recruiting has gone well for us and we're ready to move forward and focus on what's coming up next," ended Pearson.
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After a season in which minimal action took place, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League continues to prepare for a new season.
It was announced over the weekend that the 2021-22 campaign kicks off on September 17 as all 12 teams will be in action. The Dauphin Kings will be in the West Division with Neepawa, OCN, Swan Valley, Waywayseecappo, and Virden. The East Division is made up of Portage, Selkirk, Steinbach, Winkler, the Blues, and the Freeze.
Each team will play 54 games with 40 of the games being divisional play while the West Division will play East Division teams 14 times. The MJHL Showcase is also back from November 22-24 at Stride Place in Portage la Prairie. Each team plays two games at the event.
"We're very excited that the date that we have been targeting for a few months was finalized," said Kevin Saurette, Commissioner. "As a league, we're very excited to turn the page after last year's disappointment of not playing a full season."
The MJHL/SJHL Showcase will also be back, with one change. After three successful years in Regina, the event will be played at Seven Oaks Sportsplex in Winnipeg. The event to be played January 25-26, 2022 will feature all-star players and goalies from the MJHL going up against all-star players and goalies from Saskatchewan.
"To bring that talent and the scouts to our province, it's tremendous," offered Saurette. "I know MJHL fans will really enjoy the event, so we're glad that they will have a chance to watch."
Following the showcase, the next time the MJHL and SJHL will meet comes in the Anavet Cup beginning on Friday, April 29. The Turnbull Cup playoffs begin the week of March 14, with a playoff format set to be released in the coming weeks.
Elsewhere around the league, Niverville is joining the league in the 2022-23 season, as they will become the league's 13th franchise. Talks between the league and owners of the new franchise have been extensive over the past couple of years. Saurette says talks between the two parties have been extremely positive.
"This is very positive for the league to be moving into a new market," ended Saurette. "We can't wait until the puck drops on their inaugural season next year."
The Centennial Cup will also return, being played from May 20-29 at Affinity Place in Estevan, home of the Bruins. Subject to Regulatory Approvals, the MJHL will also send an all-star team to Sochi, Russia in August of 2022 where the team will play in the Sirius Junior World Cup, an international IIHF sanctioned event.
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The Dauphin Soccer Association has made the decision to cancel the rest of the spring season.
At this point, Public Health Orders do not allow outdoor gatherings of any type.
"This is very disappointing for our organization, however, we know that it is the best decision for the safety of our players and families," said Nathan Fleck.
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The Manitoba Junior Hockey League has announced that the 2021-22 regular season will begin on September 17.
Dauphin will be in the West Division alongside Neepawa, OCN, Swan Valley, Waywayseecappo, and Virden.
40 of 54 games will be played within division, while 14 will be played outside.
The Centennial Cup wraps up the season in late May.
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The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) hosted its annual general meeting on Thursday night and several motions were passed.
Among the motions passed included allowing each team to have a maximum of eight 20-year-old players. This will increase from the six maximum last season while the previous season each team was able to have a maximum of seven.
The MJHL has yet to complete either of the past two seasons. Two years ago, the season was cancelled in the playoffs while no team played more than 10 games this past season. Doug Hedley says the change is a positive one.
"This is great news for our league, it was a 10 to 2 vote at the meeting," said Hedley. "With what some 18-year-old players have missed out on, this is great news."
The league has also changed the number of games that will be played in the regular season. After a 40 game season was cancelled, the MJHL will move to 54 games next season. Two of these games will be at the league's showcase after it wasn't held last year. The showcase will take place from November 22-24 at Stride Place in Portage la Prairie.
The majority of contests will take place on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday. The odd weekday game will also be played.
"It's more conducive with developing players to get to the next level," offered Hedley. "You get more time to train during the week and practice time. Off-ice workouts are also consistent, which is a good thing. Playing on the weekends also makes it more of an event for the city."
The MJHL will play the upcoming season with 12 teams after the Winnipeg Freeze was an expansion team last year. In the 2022-23 season, the league will move to 13 teams as a franchise is heading to Niverville.
Two divisions will be used this upcoming season. Dauphin will be joined by Swan Valley, Waywayseecappo, Virden, Neepawa, and OCN. That means that Steinbach will be in a division alongside the Freeze, Blues, Flyers, Portage, and Selkirk.
Hedley remains busy ahead of training camp -- which at this point -- will take place in early September as the league expects to announce a season schedule within the coming weeks.
Dauphin made a splash last season when they committed Keaton Ziprick of Russell, Hayden Lacquette of Dauphin, and Jayden Jubenvill of Gilbert Plains. The team also committed Sean Williams and Brayden Stevenson, two of the team's top young prospects.
In other news relating to the Kings, their Par 3 Extravaganza will be played on August 14 at the Dauphin Lake Golf Club.
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Ryder Thompson's first year in Portland was many things. It was fun, it was exciting, it was challenging, but it was certainly not quiet.
In his first season with the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, Ryder stayed very busy with all of his hockey activities which include on-ice practices and off-ice training as well.
When Ryder wasn't on the ice, in the gym, or doing any other team-related activity, he would remain busy catching up on all of his school work. The Russell native excelled as he continues his high school studies while playing in the WHL.
Juggling school work with an extremely busy hockey schedule isn't an easy task for many, but Thompson was able to adapt nicely. Ryder has always been excellent in the classroom and he prides himself on getting high marks and learning as much as he can.
And thanks to his focus in the classroom, he's been named one of the Winterhawks' Scholastic Player of the Year. The award is given to those players who excel on the ice and in the classroom, which Ryder and his teammate, Mason Mannek achieved.
"It feels really good to win this, I think it was something that was always in the back of my mind," said Thompson. "I took a lot of pride in what I was doing in the classroom this year and I'm glad it paid off."
Ryder played 14 games this season for a Winterhawks team that finished second in the U.S. Division with their 13-8-3 record. The young man that was drafted 105th overall in the 2019 WHL draft had one assist
"It was great getting to play those 14 games with them this year, it was a learning experience," said Thompson. "I was able to learn a lot and hopefully, I can jump right into things during my 17-year-old year."
As he trains for camp in the fall, Ryder says his goal is to make more of an impact and become an everyday player. Playing in somewhat of a limited role this past season, Ryder was able to impress the coaching staff on many occasions and he's looking forward to continuing to do the same with a bigger role next season. Portland is one season removed from winning the league's regular-season title, as they went 45-11-3-4 in the 2019-20 campaign.
"I need and want to do more, I don't want to be scared out there," said Thompson. "As I'm learning next year, I want to be more of a threat. I shouldn't have to rely on my teammates all the time, I should be creating things for them."
Prior to his 14 games with Portland, Thompson started the season with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines, where he had three assists in eight games, playing alongside Tyson Zimmer who is also from Russell. Zimmer played the WHL season with the Wheat Kings, a team that drafted him sixth overall in 2019.
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The Swan River Golf and Country Club offers the most northern 18 hole golf course in Manitoba and it provides a fun and good test for the elite player while the average golfer will enjoy one of the most scenic and well-maintained courses in the province.
Open to members and non-members, tee times are always available by calling the pro shop at 204-734-3935. 18 holes with a cart for an adult is $80 and memberships are still available.
Clint Weir is the manager and CPGA professional at the club and he says it really is worth the trip up to Swan River to play the course.
"We had a good start to the season and the course is looking great," said Weir. "Just hoping at this point that the restrictions are lessened later this month, even if players have to use their own cart, we hope that foursomes can book times again."
Whether it be in Winnipeg or Flin Flon, golf courses in the province continue to flourish in a time that the pandemic has shut down many amateur sports. In a typical year, about 215 players signed up for a membership in Swan River, whether it be an adult, a junior, or anything in between.
This year, the course could be well on its way to a record year, one that could be the busiest in many years. More than 300 memberships have been purchased this season. The 'young family' membership has really gained traction.
For just $950, two adults and their children can play for the season. The children must be younger than 10. Another popular offering is the '30&under' membership, which costs just $500.
"We really saw the value of the young family membership last year," ended Weir. "The family would play three or four holes and then head to the clubhouse for a snack. It hasn't been as busy for most of this season yet, but that's because people can't dine in at the clubhouse."
Weir welcomes golfers of all skill levels down to the valley. The front nine plays quite open with the biggest challenge coming on the back nine, where precision will be required more often.
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