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They were looking for a little bit more than the result.

The Dauphin Clippers 15's boys rugby team ended their season over the weekend at the provincial championships. After a 19-5 loss against St. John's Ravenscourt in the semifinals, the Clippers had to refocus.

"It wasn't the happy ending we were looking for; we were looking for at least a silver medal finish," said Aaron Miner. "We'll take the bronze medal, and hopefully, grow off that."

Fresh off the heartbreak of losing in the provincial semifinal, the Clippers came out firing. In the bronze medal game against Souris, it was all Dauphin, from start to finish. They secured a third-place finish with a 39-17 win over the Sabres.

It was Dauphin's second straight win against Souris, after they beat them in the league final. 

"Dialed in, the guys were hyped up. It was a rubber match against Souris," added Miner. "They beat us in the regular season, then we beat them in the league final. So we wanted this one. We played like it was for all the marbles."

The Clippers will graduate four players from this year's team. That means four great athletes from Dauphin went out with a league championship, the program's third straight, and a bronze medal at the provincial championships. 

"Going forward, the future looks extremely bright," continued Miner. "We have over 30 players returning next year, plus what is coming up from grade eight. With the Parkland Pirates youth program being so strong, the numbers are only going to get bigger, and the high school program will benefit. We have high expectations for next year. Anything less than a silver medal will be catastrophic."

At the end of March, Aaron will lead a group of 25 young men on a journey of a lifetime. They're heading to England and Wales. They will practice with professional athletes and watch some professional matches. They also have some games lined up against some of the best teams in the world.

"It's huge, we have a full roster, all the spots filled up pretty instantly," ended Miner. "We can only take 25, and those spots filled up very quickly. It's amazing to see how many kids want to go."

Rugby in the Parkland is in good hands. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jun 2, 2025 - 10:00 am

The Grandview Lakers are heading back to the drawing board.

After an excellent opening game in their return to the diamond after six years away from competitive action, the team couldn't get it going on Thursday night. The Parkland Pirates of Melville won their second game of the year, 15-3.

Lyndon Zimmer pitched three innings for the Lakers in the defeat. Kayden Ferland pitched the final three. Fielding errors and base running mistakes cost the Lakers on the night. Reese Andres, who had a sensational pitching performance in the team's first game, continued to contribute with an RBI double. Kayden Ferland had an RBI single. 

There isn't much time to rest for the Lakers. They're off to Canora for a doubleheader on Saturday. Game times are 12 and 2:30. Don't forget about the team's home opener. It's next Sunday, June 8, against Canora at 3. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: May 30, 2025 - 8:36 am

Eric Prokopowich grew up dreaming of playing golf at the collegiate level.

Growing up playing at the Dauphin Lake Golf Club, Prokopowich played more than 100 rounds every summer. He was at the course hitting balls before school, and as soon as the bell rang, he was back sharpening his game.

As all golfers do, he had his ups and downs. Not every day on the course came with birdies and great scores. But as do all elite athletes, Eric stuck with the process. Ultimately, it was easy for him to stick with it because he loved the game. 

When he graduated from high school in Dauphin, Prokopowich moved to Winnipeg and began his post-secondary studies at the University of Manitoba. He wasn't only studying, though. His childhood dream became a reality. Eric made the men's golf team and became a Bison. His first year came with challenges. Going up against top collegiate players from across the country and south of the border, things weren't always easy. But he had made it. Eric was a collegiate golfer.

"I had a tough season. But it was my first year, so I just wanted to get a feel for things," said Prokopowich. "It was a great experience. It was a ton of fun, and we had a great group of guys. I can't wait to go back."

Eric will return to the Bisons in the fall, and with a year of experience under his belt, his expectations will rise. He's no longer a rookie; he's a player who will look to make a statement in his second year.

"Yeah, definitely. I worked hard on my game all winter," offered Prokopowich. "With the experience of year one, I can use that to my advantage. Hopefully, put together some good scores."

While preparing for his second year at the University of Manitoba, Eric will play events on the Golf Manitoba circuit. He's no stranger to the circuit, having played many Golf MB events in the past. This year, he's feeling better than he ever has.

"It's probably the best I've ever started a year. I feel that my game is as good as it ever has been," commented Prokopowich. "I feel like the hard work in the winter gave me a ton of confidence to start the season."

Eric's pure ball striking and confidence were on full display on May 13. Back home playing at the Dauphin Lake Golf Club, where he honed his skills growing up, Prokopowich added an albatross to his resume. It was his first albatross. It came on the 479-yard, par-5, fifth hole. 

"I hit the driver over the corner, and I was in the left rough, with like 128 yards in," offered Prokopowich. "I hit a lob wedge in. It kicked off the slope and fed towards the pin, and I thought to myself, it looked pretty good. It was an unreal feeling when I realized it went in."

How did Eric follow up the albatross? Birdie, birdie, par, birdie. Now it's one thing to talk the talk. It's another to walk the walk. Eric did so at his home course that day. The next challenge was to walk the walk on a course that he had played a few times before, but wasn't extremely comfortable on.

Challenge accepted. Prokopowich played in Golf Manitoba's match play championships qualifier, and what a round it was. After a slow start with two bogies and a birdie on the front, Eric went out with a one-over, 36. He birdied 10, 12, and 14. A bogey on 14 was followed by a birdie on 17. He went in with a three-under, 33. Two-under total, only two golfers scored better. 

"That felt good. I had a ton of confidence going in. I tried playing somewhat safe and put myself in good positions off the tee, and played for the centre of greens," continued Prokopowich. "I knew I could put up a good score. It was a great round."

79 players teed it up. Eric is the third seed heading into the match play portion of the event, in a field of 32. Eric's first match is against the 30th-ranked Ethan Portey. Portey had three birdies and finished seven strokes behind Eric in his qualifying round.

It is no longer stroke play. It's match play. One vs one. Eric is the favourite and there's no doubt about that. But in a match play format, it's anyone's ball game. 32 of the top amateur golfers in the province all believe they have what it takes to win a championship.

Eric is one of those.

"I've been lower seeds in the past and won a couple rounds," commented Prokopowich. "I know when I play my game and play well, I can compete with anyone out there. It's about taking things hole by hole."

One year ago, Eric shot a 73 in Winkler to qualify for the match play event. Then he went on a run. He won his first three matches to make the final four, coming up short against one of his best friends, Thomas Scott. Scott lost in the final and is back again this year.

Last year, Eric was the 11th seed. He's using his run last year as motivation.

"I feel like making it to the final four gives me a ton of confidence, knowing that I've been that close," ended Prokopowich. "Knowing that my game is in a better place, too. It shows that I have a chance at winning this, which is my ultimate goal."

If Prokopowich is to win his first match and Thomas wins his first, that will set up a duel between two of Dauphin's brightest golf stars. Thomas is ranked 19th and will play the 14-seed in his first match. 

The Elmhurst Country Club, one of the province's top private courses, will host the match-play event. The tournament begins on Thursday. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: May 29, 2025 - 10:05 am

Less than a year ago, Myles Fee won a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers.

Depending on how the Edmonton Oilers do on Thursday night, Fee and the Panthers could begin their quest for another championship as early as Wednesday, June 4. Fee, an assistant coach from Dauphin, and the Panthers advanced to their third straight Stanley Cup final on Wednesday night. 

They fell down 2-0 against Carolina in game five of the Eastern Conference Final. They bounced back in a big way and secured a 5-3 win, winning the series in five games. The Edmonton Oilers lead the Western Conference Final, three games to one, over the Dallas Stars. 

The last possible day that the Final could end is June 23. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: May 29, 2025 - 7:12 am

Pederson Photographic

Luke Myhre put the province on notice in the 2022-23 season.

The hockey star from Dauphin, as a rookie with the Parkland U18 Rangers, tallied 16 goals and 32 points in 44 games. He tied for fourth in team scoring and proved the future was bright. Myhre joined the Prairie Hockey Academy U18 Prep team the following year. Playing in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, Myhre was a regular on the score sheet with 22 points in 29 regular-season games.

The CSSHL features many of the top age-eligible players in the country. Luke continued to prove his elite playmaking abilities and used his size as an advantage to torch his opponents. He added four points in three playoff games.

With plenty of success at the U18 level, Luke's game progressed to the junior level. Luke played 10 games this past season with his hometown Dauphin Kings. He had four penalty minutes. 

"It was great. Coming back from Portland, I didn't really know what I was going to do," said Myhre. "It was great that Doug took me back. Getting to play junior at such a young age was great for me. It will help me move forward."

Luke had chances, but failed to record a point in his time with Dauphin. He quickly learned that taking a step from U18 to junior isn't easy. It isn't for everyone. Luke stayed positive, came to the rink with his work boots on, and pushed himself. 

Some would have been frustrated. Luke used his experience with Dauphin as a chance to grow. 

"The biggest thing is the difference in pace, junior hockey is so much faster. The guys are bigger and stronger, you need to have your head on a swivel at all times," continued Myhre. "I could have played a lot better. Then again, it was only my first few junior games, so I didn't expect much."

Understanding he needed more playing time and a chance to develop, Myhre returned to Prairie Hockey Academy and finished the season there. He had three goals and 10 points in 11 regular-season games, with eight penalty minutes. 

"I needed to get the puck back on my stick and confidence back," offered Myhre. "I think it worked out well, we had a really good team."

Prairie Hockey Academy went 26-9 and was two games away from winning a championship. They advanced to the U18 Prep Western Championships and got off to a strong start. Luke was held off the scoresheet in a 3-2 win against the North Shore Warriors. He then hit his stride. The Dauphin product had a goal in a thrilling 7-6 win against Edge School. He then assisted in the team's 4-3 win against Calgary International Hockey Academy.

With three straight wins, Myhre and his team made the Final Four. Their opponent? The Delta Hockey Academy. Luke and his teammates battled to the bitter end, but it wasn't to be. They came up short in a 7-6 defeat, ending their season.

A tough ending, without a doubt. But a run that'll never be forgotten.

"It's pretty hard to do. There were 16 teams in the playoffs, and only four of them made the semifinals," continued Myhre. "When we made the final four, we were pretty happy with the teams we beat out. Delta played very well in our game and outscored us. It was fun to be a part of."

Myhre finished with one goal and one assist in four playoff games. Luke's offseason is well underway, and in just a few short months, he will again be under the junior spotlight. Luke has signed a Letter of Intent to join his hometown team next season, on a full-time basis.

That means when you head to Credit Union Place to cheer on the Kings next season, a hometown star will be repping the Blue & White. This is a moment Luke has been dreaming about for a very long time. Sometimes dreams become a reality. In this case, Luke's dream is just that, a reality.

"It feels great. I'm extremely happy that Doug has faith in me. I was really hoping that I would be able to come back this year," commented Myhre. "Especially playing for your hometown team. I went to their games growing up. It's special to sign with them and to know I'll be wearing the Kings jersey next season."

Luke has already hit the ground running. He's in the gym every day and plans to skate in Brandon throughout the summer. This is on top of working on his golf swing. 

"I think the biggest thing for me is getting bigger and stronger," ended Myhre. "I want to get more consistent. I think that's the biggest thing in my game I have to work on, being consistent."

Come the fall, Luke won't be dreaming anymore, he'll be living it. A hometown star is staying with the Kings. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: May 28, 2025 - 10:00 am

It was a promising start to their season.

For the first time in six years, the Grandview Lakers hit the field for a game. They opened the season against the Saltcoats Lakers, who had won two games, with a tie. Grandview stuck with them, ending in a 3-3 tie.

Reese Andres was outstanding on the mound. He had 12 strikeouts and pitched a complete game, giving up just one earned run. Lyndon Zimmer had an RBI double. Kaine Morran and Dave Elder also recorded RBIs.

Darian Giasson, Kaden Ferland, and Darrell Ferland also recorded hits. Their next game is a doubleheader on Saturday in Canora against the Supers.

They head to Melville for a game against the Parkland Pirates on June 3, and that sets up their home opener. On Sunday, June 8, the Lakers host the Supers for their first home game in more than half a decade. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: May 28, 2025 - 8:16 am

Six points in the second quarter and another six in the fourth were the difference on Saturday.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were back on the field for their first preseason game. They beat their rival, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 15-9. It was a good start for the Blue & Gold, who are coming off a heartbreaking loss in last year's Grey Cup. With that said, it's not about the end score in preseason, it's about the process and getting reps.

Zach Collaros made his preseason debut and looked excellent. He completed 10 of his 13 passes for 93 yards, his longest being 25 yards. Quinten Cooley led the rushing attack with 36 yards on five carries. Cooley also had 36 yards through the air while Keric Wheatfall had 28 yards receiving.

"We have a very good group of guys, they've really grasped what we're doing," said Collaros. "Then the guys are back from last year, you can see the growth from year one to two."

Earlier this month, Collaros signed a one-year contract extension through the 2026 CFL season. He's entering his sixth season with the Bombers. He guided the Blue & Gold to the Grey Cup titles in 2019 and 2021. He has led the team to five straight championship games. No other quarterback has started more than three straight title games. 
Zach threw for 4,336 yards last season, the second-most in the league, only behind Bo Levi Mitchell. 

While eligible for the preseason, Zach will miss the team's first game of the regular season on June 12. He will serve his one-game suspension. 

"I think from a workout perspective, I've gone harder on that, during camp," added Collaros. 

Winnipeg scored 447 points last year. Despite winning the West Division, that was the seventh-fewest points in the league. Buck Pierce was the team's offensive coordinator last season. He's now the head coach for the BC Lions. Jason Hogan is now running the offensive show for Winnipeg, calling plays. Hogan is going into his fourth season with Winnipeg, however, this will be his first as offensive coordinator. Previously, he was the team's running backs coach. 

He came to the Bombers in 2022 after serving as the assistant offensive coordinator, running backs, and wide receiver coach with the Université de Montréal Carabins. Interesting note about Jason, he won a Vanier Cup with the Université de Laval Rouge et Or in 2006.

"It's been good. Jason is a very detailed guy; he's done a fantastic job of running the meetings," ended Collaros. "He's relatable to the younger players. He can give it back and forth to those guys. He's going to be fun to work with as the season goes on."

Plenty of excitement is building around the return of Dalton Schoen. The Kansas State product played just three games last season. He suffered a season-ending knee injury and recorded 159 yards through the air on 14 catches before the injury. He signed a one-year contract to remain with the club on February 1, 2025.

Schoen has been a full participant at training camp.

"It's great," ended Schoen. "When you miss an extended period of time, it's the worst. To get back out here with the guys, running around and playing football, it's awesome."

The Bombers end their preseason on Friday when they're in Regina to play the Roughriders. The team's home and season opener is Thursday, June 12, at Princess Auto Stadium against the BC Lions. Here is the team's full schedule. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: May 27, 2025 - 10:00 am

There have been no guarantees for Riley McKay.

Ever since he was a young kid growing up in Swan River, he's had his work boots on. Whether on the farm or at the rink, Riley is extremely driven and has let his work ethic do the talking. 12 years ago, he had 52 points in 32 regular-season games with the Parkland U15 Rangers. He then had 12 points in four playoff games. He had the great opportunity to play with his hometown Swan Valley Stampeders during the 2015-16 season, adding 34 points and 151 penalty minutes.

From there, McKay earned the right to play in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He played two years with the Spokane Chiefs before coming closer to home. His junior career ended after four years in the league, the final two with the Saskatoon Blades.

Upon the completion of his WHL career, Riley wasn't sure what was next. He had mentally prepared, knowing his competitive days could have come to an end. All while continuing to put everything he had into the game. He never settled and always knew there was room for improvement.

"I kind of thought that would be it for me, after my time in Saskatoon," said McKay. "Rockford gave me an opportunity in the American Hockey League. I had to work my way up from the ECHL, and I did that. I continue to improve, which is great to see. I'll run with that and see how long I can play for."

Riley played 12 games with Rockford in the 2020-21 season and five with the Indy Fuel of the ECHL. He played 51 games with them the following season and four more with Rockford. The 2022-23 season saw the Swan River star play with three teams, two with Indy, 23 with the Laval Rocket of the AHL, and 25 with the Trois-Rivières Lions of the ECHL.

Riley was pleased with his opportunities. He, however, wasn't satisfied. He believed there was more in the tank. He never stopped grinding. His summers were spent in the gym and on the farm. McKay was familiar with Laval, so when he started the 2023-24 season there, it was a seamless fit. McKay drew into the lineup 46 times, scoring four times, adding six assists.

After that season, McKay's time in Laval expired. His professional career did not. He signed a one-year contract with the Henderson Silver Knights, the AHL affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights. The contract achieved a major milestone for Riley. He had never played two straight seasons in the AHL. Now, he has. McKay had 10 points in 45 games this year. He was 22nd in team scoring and finished with the most penalty minutes (147). Henderson missed the playoffs. While that was a tough blow, McKay took the next step in his hockey career.

"I thought I had a really good year. It's all about playing your role and doing your job, and I believe I did that," offered McKay. "I got some opportunity to play throughout the lineup at the end of the year with some really good players. I thought I played well, took a step, and continued to improve."

While he is the main reason he's flourishing, Riley knows he wouldn't be where he is without support. From his coaches to trainers to teammates, McKay is grateful for everyone who has been a part of his journey. 

"A lot of it, too, is confidence. I realized this past year that I can play in this league," continued McKay. "I know I can help the team out, I really built my confidence. I'm looking forward to next year."

Riley will become a free agent on July 1 and is already in talks about a new contract. After his time in Henderson, Riley was back in his old stomping ground earlier this month for the Fred Sasakamoose "Chief Thunderstick" national hockey championship. The event is played in Saskatoon, where McKay spent two years.

McKay played for the Cross Lake Islanders. Game one saw him get two assists in a 7-0 win against the Sandy Bay Flying Feathermen. They beat the Red Pheasant Rebels in their next game, 4-2, to finish on top of their pool with two wins, 11 goals, and just two against. For those who play or follow the tournament, if you're going to go on a title run on Sunday, get ready for a long day.

The Islanders were ready. They beat the Gordon's Golden Hawks in their first playoff game on Sunday morning, then downed the Beardy's Blackhawks on Sunday afternoon. They were halfway there. Two more wins and McKay would be a national champion.

They beat the Canoe Lake Young Guns in the national semifinal in their third game of the day. At this point, Riley and the crew were tired. Next up was the Peguis Mohawks, and a national title was on the line. The Mohawks overachieved throughout the tournament and were led by Swan River star Josh Tripp.

The Islanders didn't only feature McKay, they also had Tristin Langan. Langan recently ended his second year with the Stavanger Oilers in Norway. He's also played in the ECHL and AHL during his professional journey.

It was Riley and Tristin against Tripp. Not only was there a national title on the line, but there were some serious hometown bragging rights up for grabs. In the end, Riley and Tristin fueled Cross Lake to a national title. They completed a perfect week, winning all six of their games. McKay has played in this event for more than half a decade, and he's now a national champion.

"It felt great. To be able to play with my best friend Tristin was special," ended McKay. "We don't get to play together often, so that was a ton of fun. We had a great weekend. It was awesome to see us three Swan River boys in the final."

There may never have been guarantees for Riley McKay — only grit, growth, and a grind that just keeps going.

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: May 26, 2025 - 10:00 am

It was the perfect send-off to summer.

The Parkland 2015 Junior Rangers put everything on the line over the weekend. They battled, never gave up, and made everyone proud. They beat the 2015 Grrrowl, 6-5, in a thrilling bronze medal game on Sunday afternoon. Greyson Uyaivato had the hot stick for the Rangers. He scored four times while Easton Matieka tallied two. 

Brody Nepinak had two assists while Noah Pangman and Gabriel Pawlachuk each had an assist. Brett Hrappstead earned the win in the net. The Rangers avenged an earlier loss against the Grrrowl, who got the best of them in the round-robin.

The Rangers also beat the Murder Hornets, 8-4. Uyaivato had four more goals in the game. Tucker Rezansoff had two, while Easton Billet and Mateika had one each. Throughout the spring season, the team won a gold medal, two bronze medals, and one consolation title. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: May 26, 2025 - 7:50 am

A pair of three-peats were completed over the weekend by the Dauphin Clippers rugby program.

On home turf, the girls' 15's team hammered Souris, 45-5. It was the first try Dauphin has allowed since 2022. Ryan Richard-Soltis and Felicity Sahulka had two tries, Ruth Evans had five converts. Dauphin won its third straight league championship and will play for a provincial title later this season.

That game will be against Souris as there are no 15's girls' teams in Winnipeg. It will be played at a later date.

On the men's side, Julien Lopez was on fire with three tries as the Clippers downed the top-ranked Souris Sabres, 47-21. Ben Miner had two tries, while Landyn Garton and Ronin Mouck added tries for Dauphin. Colton Miner was 6-for-6 on converts. Dauphin heads to Winnipeg to play St. John's on Friday afternoon. If they are to win that game, they'll advance to the provincial final on Saturday afternoon.

St. Paul's and Souris are to play in the other semifinal. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: May 26, 2025 - 5:31 am