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Growing up in the small town of Roblin, Hailey Hojnocki’s love for hockey began early, carving a path that would soon take her to incredible heights on the ice.
Her talent blossomed with Roblin Minor Hockey, and before long, she was skating circles around expectations. With growing confidence and an undeniable passion, Hailey set her sights on the elite level.
Starting with the Parkland Women’s Rangers and then joining the Yellowhead Chiefs in grade 10, Hailey’s skills kept soaring. But her big break came with an unexpected opportunity—an invite to play for Pilot Mound Academy’s U-18 team in grade 11. Trading comfort for ambition, Hailey packed her gear, said goodbye to home, and embraced a new adventure four hours away.
Pilot Mound Academy wasn’t just a team—it was a gateway to growth. Competing in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League and travelling across North America, Hailey made her mark, tallying 13 goals and 17 assists in just two seasons.
“It was too good to pass up,” Hailey shares. “Being on the ice and working out daily pushed me to new levels. It was challenging but absolutely worth it!”
Two years in the books and Hailey was thrilled with how she grew.
"It was insane how much I improved, practicing with my team every day and even during free skate," continued Hojnocki. "I developed so much faster being on the ice every day, we all pushed each other and that's important."
After shining on the ice with Pilot Mound from 2021-23, Hailey swapped her hockey gear for textbooks (well, mostly). She headed to the University of Manitoba to tackle her next big goal: becoming an actuary. That’s right—this hockey star isn’t just calculating goals; she’s crunching numbers and planning to manage risks like a pro by the time she’s 27.
But, that wasn't the end for Hailey when it came to dominating on the ice. Balancing her studies with her passion, she’s tearing it up with the Gray Owls in the Manitoba Women’s Junior Hockey League (MWJHL). In her rookie season, Hailey was unstoppable, racking up an impressive 30 points and earning a coveted spot in the league’s all-star game.
Her standout moment? A jaw-dropping four-goal performance in a 6-3 victory against the Northern Stars.
With the perfect mix of brainpower and hockey prowess, Hailey is proving she’s a force to be reckoned with—on and off the ice.
"Exceeded my expectations, I was not expecting to have that great of a season," commented Hojnocki. "I was very pleasantly surprised. I had some great teammates which is also a bonus."
With the Gray Owls this year, Hailey picked up right where she left off as she has 20 points. Her highlight so far was a three-goal, two-assist performance against the Western Predators less than a month ago.
"There are some days where I feel so confident in my abilities and sure of myself," said Hojnocki. "I just had a feeling going into that game that I was going to play well and I was able to do so. Sometimes performances like that happen and that was one of those days."
Hailey is on fire this season, with 20 points putting her just behind league leader Rayley Goetz, who sits at 24. The race to the top is heating up, and Hailey’s relentless determination and eye for the net make her a serious contender.
With the Gray Owls set to face the Northern Stars this Sunday, all eyes will be on Hailey to deliver another standout performance. Whether it’s lighting the lamp or creating plays, she’s proven time and again that she thrives under pressure.
Hailey hasn’t forgotten her roots, either.
“The support from everyone back in Roblin means the world to me,” she says. “It pushes me to keep striving for greatness.”
After making her debut in the league's all-star game last season, Hailey has gotten the nod again as she's now a two-time all-star.
"It's very special, it's nice to see that all of my hard work is paying off," ended Hojnocki. "Many great players play in this league so for me to be amongst an elite group, it's a great thing for me."
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Parkland U-18 Rangers are charging into the second half of their season with momentum and confidence.
Closing out 2024 in spectacular fashion, the Rangers notched four consecutive victories, including a thrilling home-and-home sweep of the Pembina Valley Hawks and decisive wins against Yellowhead and Central Plains. These triumphs have propelled them to fifth place in the league standings with an impressive 32 points.
"We ran into a bit of a slump where it seemed that everything was going wrong for us," said Tom White, Head Coach. "I have to give a ton of credit to our players, they stuck with it and now we're pointed in the right direction."
First up for the Rangers to open 2025 is a test against the league-leading Brandon Wheat Kings. The defending league champion Wheat Kings are 23-4-0-2 this year and four points ahead of the Bruins. This will be Parkland's first meeting with Brandon this season and will be played at Credit Union Place on Friday at 7:30.
Following that game, they head to Souris to play the Cougars on Sunday. The Cougars are in third place and hold a 10-point gap over the Rangers, who are tied with the Thrashers and Selects.
A key leader for the team this year has been Quinten Fisk. The Dauphin star is tied for eighth in league scoring with 22 goals and 18 assists. Only two other players (Connor Hoemsen, 28, and Cole Dupuis, 23, have scored more) while Tyler Wamboldt also has 22.
Fisk has five power-play goals to go along with one game-winning goal and is averaging 1.43 points per game. He also has 10 multi-point games including a four-assist performance during the team's win against Central Plains right before the Christmas break.
Fisk, who signed his Letter of Intent with the Kings earlier this season, is primed for a big second half.
"He is by far our hardest working player on the ice, he comes to the rink every day, whether it's a practice or game ready to compete," continued White. "He's a player that leads by example and makes everyone around him better."
Between the pipes, Piet Mierau's 1197 minutes played are the most in the league. With 11 wins to his credit, including six starts with at least 40 saves, Mierau won his final three starts of 2024 and can steal a game on any given night.
He has gotten in extra work this year as he practices daily with the Kings. In his final three starts of 2024, Piet made 126 saves.
"Piet is a fiery competitor, he's always competing and battling," said White. "He shows everyone how badly he wants to be successful and other guys feed off that."
Piet's goaltending partner is Kyle Pelletier. Kyle has won five games this year while playing 493 minutes. From McCreary, Kyle's best performance came on November 17 when he turned away 37 shots and got the win against the Kenora Thistles.
"He's a good young goalie that puts in the work," ended White. "He's only going to improve with time. He's a great kid and we're happy to have him on our roster."
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The race to the 2025 Turnbull Cup playoffs is about to explode with intensity as the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) teams dive into their second-half schedules this Friday. The stage is set for thrilling matchups, high stakes, and unforgettable moments in the battle for playoff glory.
For most of the league's 13 teams, the action heats up at the end of the week, while Steinbach and Niverville gave fans a taste of the excitement on New Year’s Eve. Steinbach's commanding 6-3 victory over Niverville highlighted the razor-thin margins in a league where just eight points separate the top six teams. Every game counts, and every goal matters as teams jockey for position in both divisions.
In the West Division, the drama is already building to a fever pitch. The Dauphin Kings and Northern Manitoba Blizzard are deadlocked atop the standings, each with 43 points as the calendar flips to 2025. The rivalry between these two powerhouses has been electric, with three head-to-head clashes in December that saw Dauphin edge out two victories. The Blizzard, however, surged into the tie with a pre-holiday sweep of Neepawa, setting the stage for an epic second half.
Dauphin (21-8-1) holds a strategic advantage with five games in hand over the Blizzard and four over Neepawa, who sit just behind with 38 points. But in a division where anything can happen, every game is a potential game-changer. The Kings may be in the driver’s seat, but the Blizzard and the rest of the West are ready to hit the gas.
While the race for the top spot in the West will be an exciting one, the race for the final playoff spot in the division will be just as thrilling. Entering 2025, both Waywayseecappo and Virden have 24 points apiece.
Swan Valley finds themselves at the bottom of the West and while they're just eight points back of the final playoff spot, it is assumed that they will be sellers at the trade deadline which is just more than a week away (January 10). Despite winning only six games this year, the Stampeders have a tremendous trio of offensive producers led by Landen Gulutzan with 38 points, Will Brown with 31, and Adian Taylor with 28.
West Division Players to Watch: A Star-Studded Showcase
Dauphin Kings
- Cayden Glover: Lighting up the league with 23 goals—the most in the MJHL—paired with 14 assists. Glover is the definition of clutch.
- Naaman Hofer: The playmaker extraordinaire with 32 assists, leading the charge with his elite vision and puck distribution.
- Cole Sheffield: A rock between the pipes with 18 wins and 1,520 minutes played, more than anyone else in the league. If you want to score on Dauphin, good luck.
Northern Manitoba Blizzard
- Taye Timmerman: Ending 2024 on fire with 12 wins, including a jaw-dropping 42-save performance against Dauphin. A game-stealer in every sense.
- Marlen Edwards: A dual threat with 14 goals and 15 assists, and fresh off winning bronze with Team Canada West at the World Junior A Challenge. Big-game player vibes.
Neepawa Titans
- Mason Hartley: Quietly lethal with 11 goals and 17 assists. Hartley is the engine driving Neepawa’s offense.
- Mason Lobreau: A netminder who thrives under pressure, with 10 wins and the ability to completely shut down opposing offenses.
Waywayseecappo Wolverines
- Jaxon Grosdidier: Consistently delivering with 12 goals and 14 assists. Watch for him to elevate his game in crunch time.
- Dru Mushumanski: A key depth contributor with 6 goals and 10 assists, ready to step up when it matters most.
Virden Oil Capitals
- Noel Englot: A steady producer with 12 goals and 15 assists, driving Virden’s playoff push.
- Bryce Bryant: With 7 goals and 13 assists, he’s already punched his ticket to Division I hockey at Bemidji State—expect him to play like he’s got something to prove.
Swan Valley Stampeders
- Landen Gulutzan: The total package with 14 goals and 24 assists, leading the Stamps in scoring and always a threat on the ice.
- Will Brown: Bringing the heat with 10 goals and 21 assists, consistently making big plays for Swan Valley.
- Aidan Taylor: Adding depth and firepower with 10 goals and 18 assists. The Stampeders’ offense is stacked.
These players are the ones to watch as the West Division amps up for a thrilling playoff chase. Whether they’re scoring goals, setting up plays, or locking it down in net, they’re set to be the difference-makers in the battles ahead.
The East Division is a hotbed of action, headlined by the Steinbach Pistons, who sit atop the standings with an impressive 24 wins in their first 32 games. Already a dominant force, the Pistons are poised to become even more dangerous as the trade deadline approaches.
At the heart of their success is Christian Green, who has been stellar in the net. Despite some struggles late in the first half, the 20-year-old has 18 wins and ranks near the top in all major goaltending statistics. Offensively, the Pistons are stacked. Since returning from the BCHL, Ty Paisley has tallied four goals and four assists, reaffirming his status as one of the league's premier offensive threats. Meanwhile, Connor Paronuzzi has been a revelation, racking up 47 points in 32 games. Add in the fact that nine players have at least 21 points, and Steinbach’s depth looks nearly unstoppable.
Just four points behind, the Winkler Flyers—the reigning champions—are mounting a strong defense of their title. With 22 wins and a red-hot streak to close out 2024, the Flyers are surging. Their final six games of the year included four consecutive shutouts, thanks in large part to second-year goaltender Liam Ernst. Ernst has been sensational, boasting 16 wins, a sparkling .941 save percentage, and a minuscule 1.56 goals-against average. Winkler is big, skilled, and exceptionally well-coached, making them a must-watch team in the second half.
The playoff race tightens just below, where Portage and Niverville are separated by only two points. Portage leans heavily on their 18-year-old goalie Mitchell Kathler, who has been a rock and ranks near the top in every major category. Niverville counters with Adam Vigfusson, currently third in league scoring and tied with Portage’s Cameron Bullinger.
For the Selkirk Steelers, the fight for a playoff spot is all too familiar. They find themselves three points behind Niverville in what’s shaping up to be another fierce battle for the final playoff berth. The Steelers will need to dig deep if they hope to keep their postseason dreams alive.
At the bottom of the division are the Winnipeg Freeze and Winnipeg Blues, two teams unlikely to make waves at the deadline. With few major assets, they appear set to stand pat and focus on building for the future.
As the East Division barrels into the second half, every game feels like a playoff showdown. The stakes are high, and the drama is just beginning.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The MJHL has announced that Doug Hedley has been suspended eight games.
The suspension was handed down by Hockey Manitoba's Maltreatment Committee.
He is eligible to return on January 14.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
Regardless of what community you visit within the Parkland region, you will find many incredible athletes.
Whether it's Dauphin, Ste. Rose, Grandview, Gilbert Plains or any other town, the Parkland has a rich history of having athletes who excel and go on to achieve amazing things.
For instance, in Grandview, that is the home of Ryan Pulock who plays in the National Hockey League.
Dauphin is the home of Barry Trotz, who guided the Washington Capitals to a Stanley Cup a few years ago. Russell is the home of Aiden Ziprick, who helped the Moose Jaw Warriors win the Western Hockey League (WHL) last year. Swan River is the home of Tristin Langan, who is currently having a great season professionally with the Stavanger Oilers in Norway.
Today, we will head to the Jewel of the Parkland, Roblin. The home of Jayce Hawryluk who is currently playing in Slovakia and has 98 games under his belt. Jayce is a role model to so many in that community and if you ask members of the Goose Lake High School junior varsity boys' volleyball team, many of them want to enjoy a life that Jayce has and continues to enjoy.
This year's junior varsity team included Coy Dixon, Ryder Newton, Zach Rolland, Maddox Andres, Tyson Wiesner, Gavin Stroud, Elijah Wendell, Jackson Shiner, Blake Galbraith, Cash Kitzul, Tosh Johnson, Cameron Perchaluk, Jaxon Whitehawk, Dryden Wutzke, and Levi Beerman.
For those 15 student-athletes, it was a season to remember on the court. They lost just six sets all season and won five tournament titles, winning every final that they played in.
Jarrett Newton was the team's coach and he's amazed with the player's work ethic.
"We practice three times a week and then play in tournaments on weekends, that's commitment and dedication," said Newton. "We have a very committed group of boys. It's incredible to watch them put in so much effort and to see it pay off at the end of the day, it means that much more."
From the very first practice, the team's goal was to win a championship. It was nice to win five tournaments leading up to the big dance, but the job wasn't done for this group unless they achieved their ultimate goal, which they came up short of achieving last season when they were upset in the quarterfinals.
In the round-robin, the Raiders made quick work of Landmark, Major Pratt and Elton. Step one of finishing atop their pool was achieved but a tough road was still ahead. The team held off Hamiota/Shoal Lake and Glenboro to advance to an all-Parkland provincial gold medal match as Roblin went up against Major Pratt.
After the Trojans won the first set, the Jarrett Newton Roblin-based squad had to play from behind. It was simple, win two straight sets or come up short of their goal. Goose Lake responded to the challenge and after winning the second set 25-22, they won a thrilling third set, 15-12, as they came from behind to win a provincial title and cap off a season to remember.
Newton talks about what makes this group so special.
"I think always being in the big moments makes the biggest difference, they are used to being in big games and being put in tough situations," said Newton. "The biggest thing that I saw was their calmness in the final. They were down but never gave up, it was incredible to see. They hate losing more than they love winning and play like it."
What makes this group that much more incredible is that many of them won a provincial title on the ice last season. Coy, Ryder, Tyson, Levi, Gavin, Blake, Elijah, and Zach were on the Roblin Stars hockey team that won the U-15C Hockey Manitoba Provincial Championships last season.
At that event, the Stars scored 28 goals and gave up just 11. They capped off the event with a thrilling 4-3 win against Gladstone in the final.
Jarrett also coached that team and reflected on the players abilities in being multi-sport athletes.
"They buy into everything, they want to win at everything they do," continued Newton. "The running joke is that if they played basketball, we could be very good. They work so hard and push each other to be good and believe they can do anything they put their minds to."
For Jarrett, it's a dream come true to be able to coach his sons and he's thrilled to be a part of the sports scene in Roblin.
"The excitement that these guys show for each other is nothing short of incredible," ended Newton. "They always celebrate the accomplishments of each player and it is incredible to see, so special to be a part of. For me, it's a dream come true."
What's next for this group? Stay tuned, 730CKDM will be here to cover it.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
There has never been a challenge that Alexis Campbell hasn't been ready to conquer.
During her days playing with the Grand Plains Ice Dogs program and teams in Winnipeg, the challenge was going up against some of the top female hockey players in the province and last year, going up against top talent at the high school level when she played with the Springfield Sabres.
From Kinosota, Alexis still had that fire burning in her belly and believed she had more when she graduated from high school. She still wanted to play hockey but she wasn't sure where. She was already set to continue her post-secondary studies at Assiniboine College in Brandon. That school just happens to have a women's hockey program that plays in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) and it's a powerhouse program that has won national championships in the past years.
Last spring, Alexis was invited to an identification camp that the team put on and her great speed and tenacious attitude impressed the coaching staff. She, however, was not offered a spot on the team, but she was invited to try out for the team this past September.
The Cougars are a veteran group with players who have been through the grind of college hockey, something Alexis had not yet been. Campbell wasn't sure what to expect when she went to open tryouts but what happened has her travelling all over the United States and playing on one of the top teams in the nation.
Alexis made the team and is one of four rookies on this year's roster.
"It was amazing, I was the only walk-on to make this team which means a lot," said Campbell. "Being one of the four rookies is awesome, it's a special feeling to be a part of this group."
Accepting her greatest challenge yet, Alexis has played all 11 of the team's conference games and is averaging nearly half a point per game with five assists across those 11 contests. She's tied for 10th in team scoring and her next big accomplishment will be scoring her first goal at the college level.
"I think things are going quite well, it's more of a challenge than I have ever experienced," continued Campbell. "I'm adapting quite well and with each practice and game, I believe I am improving and my coaches are happy with what I can add."
Playing Division 2 in the Independent Conference, the Cougars have won 10 of their 11 games. They're just a single point behind the University of Wisconsin for first place. The team's five goals against are the fewest in the nation while their offensive output has been solid with 49 goals. The team has won five in a row.
"It's awesome, we're a very tight-knit family and everyone gets along together," commented Campbell. "It shows on the ice with our chemistry, it's great being a part of a team that is so strong."
With the team's first-half schedule in the books, they will prepare to head to North Dakota for a pair of games on January 10-11 against the University of Jamestown. Their next home game at the J&G Homes Arena in Brandon is February 9 against Dakota College at Bottineau. That team will feature another local star as Caitlin Fillion of Gilbert Plains is on the Lady Jacks so it'll be a battle between two Parkland stars.
Cameron Campbell will also be in the stands for that game in the Wheat City and Alexis is very appreciative for all of the support she receives.
"All of the support I get from my friends and family means the world to me," ended Campbell. "They have played a big part in where I am today."
Moving forward to the end of the season before the national tournament, Alexis will play three games in Brandon against the Lady Jacks on February 20 and two games against North Dakota State University on February 22 and 23.
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Her older sister was already a part of the team, so it was no surprise when the younger dynamic duo from Dauphin wanted to be a part of the action.
Frankie Fjeldsted joined the Parkland Gators Swim Club three years ago and has been practicing three weekly since.
She loves the rush of being in the water while looking to improve her times and the Dauphin star is starting to open eyes across the province.
Fjeldsted originally joined the Gators because Polly was always walking around the house saying how much she loved being a member of the team.
"I love being a Gator, my favourite part is spending time with my friends," said Fjeldsted. "Swimming in the winter is another favourite part, I enjoy being a part of the team."
Frankie competes in about four events per season and while she has had many long days with all of the travel and competing, Fjeldsted wouldn't change it for anything.
"I love going to swim meets, competing against other swimmers from other clubs is always fun for me," continued Fjeldsted. "It also means a lot to me when my whole family comes to watch me swim, they always support me and they mean so much to me."
A highlight of Frankie's time in the pool was last year when she qualified for the provincial championships, an incredible feat in itself.
Then at the big dance, Frankie put her game face on and shined as she finished ninth in all of Manitoba in the 50m backstroke in her age group.
It was a career finish on the provincial stage for the now 10-year-old, showing how much work she has put in over the years.
Frankie carried that momentum into this year and dominated her competition at a recent meet. At the BBSC Rural Roundup in Brandon earlier this month, Frankie competed in seven races and finished with a gold medal in three.
She also had one second-place finish to go along with a bronze medal. She finished fourth in the 100m freestyle and 5th in the mixed 100m medley relay.
She was one of 13 Gators that swam in the event, she finished in a tie with Lauren Lesiuk with five medals, Lauren earned five bronze medals while Frankie earned the most gold. In the day's story, her sister Polly also nabbed two silver medals.
"That felt amazing, especially because that was my first time doing many of the swims," said Fjeldsted. "Like the butterfly and the 100m. It was nice to see that all of the hard work I have been putting in is paying off."
One of Frankie's personal highlights was her first-place finish in the 25m fly stroke, a race that has given her troubles in the past.
"Yeah, it has been quite tough on me in the past," continued Fjeldsted. "So I was so happy that I was able to perform well this time."
On top of swimming three times a week with her swim club, Frankie also skates twice a week as she is a member of Skate Dauphin. She has also been with that team for three years and loves every moment.
"It's such an incredible feeling when I accomplish a new spin or jump," ended Fjeldsted.
Frankie will look to continue achieving personal bests moving forward and based on her work ethic and determination, there is no doubt that she will accomplish any goals that she sets for herself.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
He was the hero as his goal in overtime sent the Brandon U-18 Wheat Kings to the Telus Cup.
Before that, he dominated regular season play with 90 points and posted 20 playoff points in nine games as the Wheat Kings put together one of the greatest seasons in Canadian AAA history. He sparkled on the national stage with 11 points in 7 games at the national tournament. It was a season to remember for Brady Turko of McCreary.
While helping propel Brandon to a provincial title, the Parkland star was called up to play with the big boys as Brady played seven games with the Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League. He did not look out of place at all scoring his first goal and posting two assists.
Brady knew he was ready to play at the next level and that's exactly what he is doing as Turko is 29 games into his first full season with the Wheat Kings. Playing out of Westoba Place in Brandon, Brady grew up watching the Wheat Kings play and he's now played 18 games on home ice in front of his family and friends.
"It's absolutely a dream come true. I grew up idolizing players that played on this team and being able to be in the same rink they played in is very special," said Turko. "To do it this close to home makes it that much more special. So many guys are playing on teams very far away from their families and I'm very close. To have family at every game is special and something I don't take for granted."
Brady's first game of the season was the team's home opener where he had one assist and Roger McQueen lit the lamp four times in a 5-2 win over Russell's Aiden Ziprick and the Moose Jaw Warriors. Turko has played in every game since as he's been slotted into the lineup for all 29 of the team's contests.
The biggest crowd that Brady has played in front of this year was on December 1 when 7,226 fans packed Rogers Place in Edmonton, only to watch the home team lose, as Brady had his biggest night as a Wheat King with two goals and an assist as Brandon downed the Oil Kings decisively, 5-1.
"I think this year has been great. It took a little bit of an adjustment at the start, getting used to the pace of play and travel schedule," continued Turko. "Once I settled in, I started finding my way. We have a great group of guys and I'm looking forward to the second half of the season.
It was a slow start offensively to the season for Brady as he had four points in the first 19 games of the season. Since then, the McCreary star has caught fire. He has 10 points in his last 10 games, four of which have been goals.
Brady is 10th in team scoring with 14 points and his plus-7 rating is tied for fifth-best on the team.
"It was a slow start but once I got used to the pace of play and everything, things started to pick up for me," commented Turko. "On a personal level, I like how I'm playing right now. I've been able to find my offensive stride and feel quite confident in my abilities at this level."
The WHL's Eastern Conference is red-hot as Christmas approaches, with only six points separating first from ninth. Brandon, tied for fifth with Swift Current at 35 points and sporting a 15-9-3-2 record, is just four points behind Medicine Hat. The Wheat Kings won five of their last 10 games before the break.
With the top eight teams advancing to the playoffs, Turko and the Wheat Kings are gearing up for a strong push, aiming to secure a top spot. They’re also just three points behind Saskatoon for the East Division lead.
"It's fun to be a part of a race. It's tight and we're looking to pull away from some teams when we begin the second half," ended Turko. "To be only four points behind first place overall in the East puts us in a good spot. We have a lot of belief in our dressing room and it's an exciting opportunity for us to jump up the standings."
With the first half of their season in the books, Brady is looking forward to some time at home. He went to McCreary last Thursday and will head back to Brandon on Boxing Day.
"It's been a while since I've been home, looking forward to being around my family and friends at home," ended Turko. "I love going hunting and spending time outside. It's a great feeling to be home, a chance to recharge the mind and spend time with my loved ones."
Brandon returns from the break on December 27, hosting the Regina Pats at Westoba Place. They’ll then travel to Moose Jaw on December 28 to face Ziprick and the Warriors before wrapping up 2024 in Swift Current on December 30. Their first game of 2025 is on January 1 in Brandon against the Broncos, followed by a pair of road games in Saskatchewan on January 3-4.
On January 4, they’ll visit Prince Albert’s Art Hauser Centre to take on Roblin’s Brayden Dube and the Raiders.
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If you're in the Rossburn area and looking to get in a skate over the holidays, you're in luck.
The Rossburn Rink is ready to go and you can enter the south doors from 9:00 a.m to 9:00 p.m. between now and January 1 to get in a skate. Come 2025, there will set time for public skating and that'll be announced in the coming days.
If you have any additional questions, you can call 204-859-0388.
The Rossburn Rink wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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They had 30 shots in the final 40 minutes of their final game before the Christmas break.
Many of those shots were great chances; it just happened that the Dauphin Kings ran into a hot goaltender as they fell 3-1 in their final game of 2024.
Matthew Thomas scored his ninth goal of the season in the defeat.
“I was very happy with the way our guys pushed back, if you take away about six minutes of that game, we were the better team,” said Doug Hedley, the team’s head coach and general manager. “I thought we generated many chances and played with speed; it was a good road game. You have to give credit to their goalie who played very well.”
Despite the loss, it was a fantastic first half of the season for Dauphin. The Kings beat the Blizzard twice in the final three weeks of 2024 and at the very least, will enter the break in a tie for first place in the MGEU West Division. The Blizzard could sweep Neepawa this weekend and tie Dauphin with 43 points, however, the Kings will enter 2025 in the driver’s seat with five games in hand on the Blizzard.
From October 20 to November 2, the Kings won five straight and went 14-4-1 in their final 19 games of 2024.
“Anytime you win 20 or more games before the break, you know you’re having a good season,” said Hedley. “It’s a good chance for the guys to get away from the game, a mental break and enjoy this time. I believe we have a special group here that can make things happen. We have a group that can play with anyone in the league."
Dauphin returns to game action on Saturday, January 4 when the Winnipeg Blues come to town. They then welcome the Northern Manitoba Blizzard to town on January 5.
By The Numbers:
Goaltending:
Cole Sheffield
18-7-1 / .920 save percentage / 2.45 goals-against average / 2 shutouts
Cole Sheffield continues to be one of the top goalies in the league. After a sensational first-round performance against the Blizzard last year, the 20-year-old continues to give Dauphin a chance to win every night.
While he has struggled at times this year, his great play has far outweighed any struggles. He won five of his last seven starts and seven of eight between October 13 and November 2.
No goalie has played more than Cole this year and in fact, it’s not even close. His 1520 minutes played are 204 more than Jase Wareham who has played the second-most.
“With Cole, you’re in every game and with him, you have a chance to win a championship and that’s why we’re here,” said Hedley. “You look no further than last year in the playoffs and what he has done this year. Cole is a special goalie and we have full trust in him.”
Bryson Yaschyshyn
3-0 / .885 save percentage / 2.55 goals-against average
Since being acquired from Winkler, Bryson has become one of the most likeable players in the dressing room and it appears that fans love him as well.
Bryson had a tough game against Waywayseecappo on December 10 when he gave up four goals in 16 shots. In his previous two games with Dauphin, Yaschyshyn was brilliant as he turned away 40 of the 43 shots he faced.
Playing as a back-up to one of the finest goalies around, Bryson will continue to improve and the future looks bright for the former member of the Pembina Valley Hawks.
“We didn’t get a large sample size of him but we love his work ethic and compete,” continued Hedley. “We’re looking to get him some real good starts here in the second half to get that consistency and give Cole a little bit of a rest down the stretch.”
Defence:
Naaman Hofer – four goals, 32 assists
Matthew Thomas – nine goals, 13 assists
Ty Pratte – one goal, 15 assists
Matthew Haun – one goal, 11 assists
Aiden Murray – one goal, six assists
Daniel Helary – three goals, three assists
Brett Magarrell – three assists
Dylan Miko – 14 games played
Dauphin ranks third in the league with 77 goals against. Only Winkler (55) and Steinbach (61) have allowed fewer. The Kings possess skill, great size and they’re deep on the back end.
The team will also welcome back Aiden Murray to the lineup in the New Year. He’s been out with an upper-body injury for a good portion of the season. Murray’s last game was a one-assist performance on November 10.
“Getting Aiden back early in 2025 is almost like making a trade at the deadline,” said Hedley. “We have been good without him. With that said, he’s a guy who gives us more ability and is great at moving pucks up the ice. He provides us with that much more depth.”
Hedley also commented on the team’s ability to play in a multitude of ways.
“With Miko and Helary on the back end with their size and strength, we can play any game that the opposition wants to in any size arena,” commented Hedley.
Forwards:
Cayden Glover – 23 goals, 14 assists (his 23 goals are the most in the league, three more than Miguel Bouvier)
Gavin Nemis – seven goals, 18 assists
Rylan Gage – nine goals, eight assists
Madden Murray - (from Dauphin) nine goals, six assists
Gabriel Bugeaud - seven goals, eight assists
Ethan Stewart – three goals, 11 assists
Ethan Williment – nine goals, one assist
Josh Schmidt – four goals, six assists
Havyril Simchuk – 4 goals, five assists
Declan Hoad – five goals, two assists
Joey Kubas – two goals, three assists
Rylan Ringor – one goal, two assists
Sheldon Shyiak – one goal, two assists
Luke Myhre – 10 games played
With their 113 goals, Dauphin has scored the fourth-most in the league heading into 2025. Only Selkirk (116), Winkler (120), and Steinbach (136) have scored more.
When it comes to West Division opponents, Dauphin has 12 more than the Blizzard and Titans.
The Kings scored four goals or more 16 times this season and scored 30 in their final seven contests.
“Gavin Nemis is a guy that we’re relying on. He had some outstanding opportunities in the first half, if he capitalized on half of those, he would be right near Glover,” said Glover. “I believe Bugeaud is going to have an outstanding second half. Getting him back in the New Year will be a big boost for our club.”
Just a few weeks away from the trade deadline, Hedley said the perfect world would see the team add a top-six forward.
“If we could add a top three or top-six forward, that’s certainly something we are looking to achieve,” said Hedley.
As noted above, the Kings return to the friendly confines of Credit Union Place on January 4 and 5. Including a postponed game that will need to be rescheduled on home ice against Swan Valley, Dauphin will play 14 games on home ice in the second half including the team’s season finale on March 15 when Waywayseecappo is in town.
In closing, Hedley is very thankful for Dauphin’s incredible fans.
“The support in town is fantastic. Fans come to the rink wanting to watch a team that works hard and leaves everything on the ice and I believe that’s what our team is about,” offered Hedley. “Our identity is hard work, being an entertaining team and I think fans appreciate that.”
“I want to give a big shoutout to all of our fans, Merry Christmas, safe travels and enjoy the holidays,” he ended.
From 730CKDM’s Voice of the Dauphin Kings Darnell Duff and everyone at the Dauphin Kings Junior A Hockey Club, Merry Christmas and we will see you at the rink on January 4.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
The Parkland U-18 Rangers are heading into 2025 on fire.
Playing their final game before the Christmas break on Sunday, the Rangers filled up the net in a 7-4 win against Central Plains.
Alex Campbell completed a hat-trick in the third to lead the Rangers while Quinten Fisk had four assists.
Landyn Garton, Cade Legaarden and Dayson Martin also scored for Parkland while Kyle Pelletier earned the win in net.
The Rangers are tied for fifth and just six points back of fourth after winning 16 games in the first half.
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- Contributed by Darnell Duff
