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They didn't enter the playoffs as favourites.

Favourites, however, don't always win. That was the case in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) last year as eight teams entered the chase for the Turnbull Cup in late March. The Steinbach Pistons earned home-ice advantage for their entire playoff run after winning 47 regular season games and finishing with 97 points.

The Winkler Flyers, meanwhile, won 42 games and finished with 89. Regular season and playoffs, two different animals. A team that underperforms in the regular season can all of a sudden catch fire and get hot at the right time. Now it's not like the Winkler Flyers underperformed in last year's regular season, winning 42 games is an incredible year. 

They continued to improve with each game and lost only three games in the playoffs. They finely won the Turnbull Cup after downing Portage in five games, Virden in six games, and Steinbach in a clean sweep. It was a season to remember and Jayce the 'Ace' Legaarden of Grandview was front and centre for the run. The former Parkland U-18 Ranger star who scored 46 regular season goals in the 2021-22 season, was excellent in his second full season with the Flyers.

As they went on to win the MJHL, Legaarden scored eight playoff goals and had 11 points after producing 41 regular season points in 42 games. There were very few holes in last year's Winkler team. They were physical, highly motivated and highly skilled. Legaarden said after winning the championship that it was a dream come true and he earned the right to join his team at the Centennial Cup representing Manitoba.

After a shorter-than-regular off-season thanks to the team's extraordinary run, the Grandview star returned to Winkler for one final season and what a year it has been.

"Things are going very well," said Legaarden. "We started pretty slow but we've progressively built as the season has gone on and we're looking pretty good now."

Just as was the case last year, Winkler got better with each passing game. Sitting second place in the league with a record of 24-6-2, the Flyers have reeled off wins in eight straight games and have 14 wins in their last 16. They also have points in 16 straight games and have not lost in regulation since a 3-1 defeat against Portage on November 3.

They are the hottest team in the league and Legaarden believes that is how this team has been built.

"Especially with last year we lost quite a few players, it took some time for everyone to come together and gel," continued Legaarden. "Everyone is tight now and we have a great group of guys with a great dressing room. Everyone is playing towards one common goal, it's great to be here."

While Legaarden was great last year and during his rookie campaign, the 20-year-old from Grandview has taken his game to the next level. Jayce leads Winkler in scoring with 18 goals and 20 assists and he's tied for 10th in league scoring. 

Jayce has four multi-goal games this season and has caught fire as of late with 13 points in his last seven games. He had one goal and four assists in a win against Steinbach before the Christmas break. 

"The biggest thing is treating every single day with the right mentality," offered Legaarden. "It's important to come to the rink with my work boots on every day, there's no time to take a day off.

The intense schedule of being a junior hockey player isn't for everyone and while that's okay, Jayce has always been the first guy at the rink and the last one to leave. He takes great pride in being a leader and whether it's heading to the rink for practice or a game, Jayce will be there focused and ready to compete.

'It's something that I have just come to develop throughout my junior career," said Legaarden. "I love working on my game and being the best player and teammate that I can. It's worked very well for me."

Jayce has always been a humble young man who knows his success couldn't come without the help of his teammates.

"I mean without them, I wouldn't be where I am," commented Legaarden. "I have some great teammates that push me and I push them. This is a team game and I'm happy that I am able to help our team succeed."

While his main focus is helping Winkler win, Jayce is also keeping tabs on his old team as it just happens his younger brother is doing great things on the ice with the U-18 Rangers. As Parkland sits in a playoff spot in a heated race for the final eight, Cade Legaarden has 11 goals and 24 points and he also made his MJHL debut with the Swan Valley Stampeders last season.

Jayce is proud of his younger brother and will forever be in his corner as his mentor and his loving brother.

"I'm so happy for him, it's nice to see that he's enjoying that success," ended Legaarden. "I've been to a few games down here in this part of the province and back at home as well. He's a great player and he works just as hard as I do, so it's great to see him living out his dream of playing high-level hockey."

The Legaarden family legacy is alive and thriving, and this weekend promises to be another thrilling chapter. Jayce will be carrying the torch as the Flyers hit the road for back-to-back games in Selkirk and Portage, aiming to make a statement.

Meanwhile, Cade is embarking on his own adventure with Parkland, tackling a double-header in Winnipeg against the Thrashers and Teulon against the Lightning

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jan 10, 2025 - 10:00 am

The Neepawa Titans may not have left the ICON Arena with a win, but they earned a crucial point in a gritty showdown against the high-flying Winkler Flyers on Tuesday night.

Mason Hartley came through in the clutch, netting his 12th goal of the season to tie the game at two and force overtime. While Winkler ultimately claimed a 3-2 shootout victory, the Titans' effort kept them firmly in the race for the top two spots in the West Division.

Neepawa’s record now stands at 18-15-1-2, solidifying their hold on third place in the West and maintaining a 13-point cushion over Virden. With the Blizzard and Kings in their sights, the Titans are fighting to close the gap and make their mark as legitimate contenders.

Before the Christmas break, Neepawa had a golden opportunity to leapfrog the Blizzard in the standings. Hosting back-to-back games at the Yellowhead Centre, the Titans fell short, dropping both contests to Norman. Adding to their woes, they suffered a 5-3 loss to Steinbach right out of the holiday break, extending their losing streak to three games.

Tuesday’s clash against Winkler became a must-compete. While they couldn’t secure the full two points, their gritty performance against a championship-calibre team signalled a return to form and renewed hope for the road ahead.

Ken Pearson, the Titans' head coach and general manager, shared his thoughts on the team's journey so far, hinting at the resilience and determination driving this group.

"I like the way that we have had guys step up, we have had some injuries to key personnel," said Pearson. "It's nice to see those younger guys step up and contribute while gaining valuable experience."

Neepawa returns to the ice on Saturday when they host Portage before getting a week off. They will play Steinbach on January 18 before playing Winkler three days later. To end the month, the Titans play the Blues twice and Swan Valley once. 

"As a group overall, we're pretty happy with where we are right now, we have been able to compete in every single game," continued Pearson. "We are starting to see some improvement with our special teams after a slow start which is important for us."

Their power play sits at a formidable 23.1%, ranking third in the division, while their penalty kill is 78.7%. 

Colton Alexander was key to that success before an early December injury sidelined the 20-year-old star. With 10 goals and 15 assists in just 25 games, Alexander was producing at a point-per-game clip and remains second in team scoring despite his absence. Mason Hartley has stepped up in a big way, leading the Titans with 29 points and ensuring the offence doesn’t miss a beat.

Alexander was notably absent from Tuesday's lineup, and his return remains uncertain. Yet the Titans have refused to let adversity slow them down. Depth has been their secret weapon, with 11 players already hitting the 12-point mark this season. Among them is captain Cooper Kasprick, a steady and reliable leader who has contributed six goals and 13 assists while setting the tone on and off the ice.

Even without their offensive catalyst, Neepawa is finding ways to compete and stay in the hunt. This is a team proving it can adapt, rise to the occasion, and deliver when it matters most.

"It's real nice to have that depth, it's been a long process, getting players here that we want," said Pearson. "Whether it's to be a shutdown role or get the job done offensively type of role, different lines are finding a way to dig in deep. It's something that we haven't had here in recent years so it's nice to see and be a part of."

Pearson also had plenty of praise for Kasprick, who is the team's captain and has played his entire junior career with his hometown team. That's 141 games of Titans strong for Kasprick playing with the team he grew up idolizing.

"We had many conversations in the summer about him becoming captain, we wanted to make sure that he was comfortable with it," said Pearson. "He has taken on the role in a great way. To see him grow as a young player and a young man has been incredible. He has taken great strides and is a great leader for this club."

Between the pipes, the Titans have struck gold with their two-headed goaltending tandem. Mason Lobreau, the 20-year-old Brandon native, has racked up 10 wins with a .907 save percentage and a 3.55 goals-against average. Meanwhile, 19-year-old KC Couckuyt has been equally impressive, boasting eight wins, a stellar .913 save percentage, and a 2.94 goals-against average.

Both netminders have shown they can steal games when it matters most, and Couckuyt was nothing short of sensational on Tuesday. He turned aside 32 shots through regulation and overtime, keeping the Titans in the fight before they ultimately fell in the shootout.

Last season, Neepawa clinched the fourth spot in the Turnbull Cup playoffs and pushed the Virden Oil Capitals to six hard-fought games in the first round. This year, the Titans are aiming even higher. Sitting just six points out of second place, the team has its sights set on home-ice advantage for the opening round — and with plenty of hockey left, that goal is well within reach.

If you’re a hockey fan in the Neepawa area, there’s no better time to get behind this resilient, never-say-die squad. Head down to the Yellowhead Centre and witness a team that’s not only well-coached but also packed with heart, grit, and determination. The Titans are proving they belong in the playoff conversation — and they’re not done yet.

"It certainly is nice when I'm walking down the hallway and you see the smiling faces, guys are joking around and having fun," ended Pearson. "We have a great group of guys that are committed to making a push here down the stretch."

Neepawa's next home game is Saturday at 7:30 against Portage. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jan 9, 2025 - 10:00 am

Piet Mierau kept the Brandon U-18 Wheat Kings at bay for 40 minutes but it wasn't quite enough.

Dayson Martin scored late in the second to tie their game with the Wheat Kings at one after 40 minutes of play. It remained tied until late in the third when Jonah Lemoine scored with less than four minutes left and that was the game-winner. Brandon would score two more goals to lock up a 4-1 win. Paired with that win and a loss from the Bruins, Brandon is now three points up on Winnipeg for first place in the league.

With the loss, their second straight in as many days, Parkland dropped to 17-15 on the season and now are four points behind Eastman for fifth place in the league and they're tied with the Thrashers and Interlake.

Parkland heads on a road trip this weekend to play the Thrashers on Saturday and Interlake on Sunday. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jan 8, 2025 - 10:15 pm

The Dauphin Kings have split their first two games of 2025.

Following a solid win on Saturday against the Winnipeg Blues, the Dauphin Kings found themselves down 3-0 and couldn't fight their way back on Wednesday in a 5-2 loss against the Portage Terriers.

Matthew Thomas scored both of Dauphin's goals in the game as they dropped to 22-9-1 on the season.

Special teams were a massive problem for Dauphin as they went 2-for-5 on the penalty kill and despite getting eight power play chances, they scored just once on the man advantage.

Portage became the second team to win 25 games on the season.

The Kings will look to ride the ship on Saturday when they welcome the Winnipeg Freeze to town. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jan 8, 2025 - 10:13 pm

Wednesday is your day if you live in the Russell area or are up for a ride because you're a fan of Ryder Thompson or the Western Hockey League.

As the Portland Winterhawks have arrived in Manitoba ahead of a game against the Brandon Wheat Kings on Friday, Thompson and his teammates are stopping in Russell for a practice at the arena in that community on Wednesday afternoon starting at 4:30. 

Following practice, you can lace up your skates and skate with the hometown star and his teammates until 5:45.

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jan 8, 2025 - 10:26 am

Tyson Zimmer is set to play for the fourth team in his Western Hockey League career and this will be his last.

After playing 35 games with the Vancouver Giants to start the season, scoring 10 times, the Russell native has been traded to the Wenatchee Wild as the Friday trade deadline approaches.

Zimmer, originally drafted by the Brandon Wheat Kings sixth overall in the 2019 WHL U-15 Draft, played 82 games with the Wheat Kings before he was dealt to the Lethbridge Hurricanes. He recorded 73 points in 105 games with Lethbridge before he was dealt to the Vancouver Giants.

In 35 games last year, Zimmer had 22 points and was off to a solid start this year with 25 points in 35 games. Tyson joins a Wenatchee club that currently occupies the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference as they're three points ahead of the Kelowna Rockets. They have won six of their last 10.

Following this season, Zimmer's hockey journey will continue at the NCAA Division 1 level as he announced his committment to Niagara University. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jan 8, 2025 - 10:17 am

It was a game the Parkland U-18 Rangers expected to win, especially after their outstanding performance just two days prior against Southwest.

Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. Kyle Pelletier gave up six goals on 27 shots as the last-place Yellowhead Chiefs came to Dauphin and downed the Rangers, 7-5, on Tuesday night at Credit Union Place. 

The Rangers scored the first two goals in the game but Yellowhead wasn't phased as they put their best offensive performance forth of the season, including in the third when they scored four times. 

Dayson Martin scored twice for the Rangers while Forrest Karlson, Landyn Garton, and Ryzlie Nepinak also scored for Parkland in the defeat.

Yellowhead won for just the fifth time this season while the Rangers are now tied for sixth place in the league, two points behind Eastman, with a game in hand. Things get much tougher for Parkland as they're off to Brandon to play the first-place Wheat Kings on Wednesday.

That's followed by games against the Thrashers and Lightning this weekend on the road. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jan 7, 2025 - 10:33 pm

Carter Zalischuk grew up with the Dauphin Kings as more than just his hometown hockey team—they were his heroes. From a young age, he was the wide-eyed kid in the stands, never missing a game, always ready to collect autographs from the players he idolized. Little did he know, he was destined to skate in their footsteps.

Carter’s own journey was nothing short of remarkable. A standout player in Dauphin’s minor hockey scene, he quickly earned a reputation for being a game-changer. With a national title as part of Team Manitoba under his belt, and a historic playoff run with the U-18 Rangers in 2022—breaking a 20-year drought—it was clear he was a player built for big moments. By the spring of that same year, his childhood dreams became reality: Carter Zalischuk was officially a Dauphin King.

In his rookie season with the Kings, Carter proved himself, playing 44 games, scoring five goals, and adding five assists. He returned the following season, suiting up for 47 games and continuing to make his presence felt with eight points. But his value to the team wasn’t measured in goals alone—it was in his grit, heart, and hustle. Whether it was killing penalties, delivering a thunderous hit, or energizing his teammates, Carter became the player his coaches could always rely on.

With Carter in the lineup, the Kings battled their way to the Turnbull Cup playoffs in back-to-back seasons. Fans won’t soon forget the seven-game showdown against the Blizzard—a series that will go down in Dauphin hockey lore.

Fast forward to the 2024-25 season, and everything changed. Just as Carter was gearing up for another year with his hometown team, the unexpected happened: a trade. He was sent to the Swan Valley Stampeders, a team in the middle of a rebuild, with a roster brimming with untapped potential. For the first time in his career, Carter packed his bags and left the familiar comforts of home behind, embarking on a nearly two-hour journey north to Swan Valley.

Now, 27 games into his debut season with the Stampeders, Carter is thriving. While he misses the tight-knit community of Dauphin and the faces he grew up with, life in the valley has brought new challenges and fresh opportunities. Surrounded by a mix of rising stars and seasoned talent, Carter is carving out his place in this next chapter of his hockey career, proving that no matter where he plays, his passion for the game and his drive to succeed remain unshakable.

"Things have been going great, we have a great group of guys, we're all super tight," said Zalischuk. "I'm having a ton of fun here and I have a great billet family as well, definitely happy to be a Stampeder."

Carter has stepped into a new role with the Stampeders. He is enjoying more ice time and while it has been a relatively tough season for the team, Carter is soaking it all in and trying to improve his game while helping the team make a jump up the standings.

"It's been an awesome experience meeting new guys and it means a lot to me knowing how I was welcomed with open arms," said Zalischuk. "We have had a lot of fun as a group and everyone is pushing to become the best versions of themselves."

Recently, Carter Zalischuk took center stage at the Swan Valley Stampeders' inaugural skills competition inside the buzzing Centennial Arena. It was a clash between Team White and Team Black in a series of thrilling events: the hardest shot, fastest skater, obstacle course, shootout, and the jaw-dropping goaltender goal challenge.

Carter, representing Team Black, didn’t just show up—he put on a show. In the highly anticipated obstacle course event, all eyes were on the Dauphin native as he navigated the cones and challenges with precision and great speed. With a blazing time of 25.66 seconds, Carter narrowly edged out his fierce competitor, Landen Gulutzan, dramatically clinching the crown. 

The competition wasn’t just about the results—it was about camaraderie, entertainment, and celebrating the skill and spirit of the game. Players and fans alike left the arena energized and excited for what was to come, and Carter once again proved why he’s a fan favourite—both for his on-ice brilliance and his love for the game.

"That was a lot of fun to be able to do that in front of some great fans, it was great for the organization and I know everyone had a blast," continued Zalischuk. "I was happy to win that medal in the obstacle course, it was an event that I won't forget. I was hoping our team came out on top but that's okay," said Zalischuk with a chuckle.

Carter was back on the ice with the team practicing on Monday as they prepare for a pair of games this weekend against the Blues and Waywayseecappo and when they hit the ice on Friday, they'll do so riding a three-game winning streak. 

Powered by an 11-goal output in two games against the Wolverines over the weekend, Swan Valley completed their first-weekend sweep of the season. The two wins also saw the team sit within four points of the fourth and final playoff spot in the West Division. Swan Valley beat Virden right before dispatching the Wolverines twice. 

The Stampeders have also won five of their last seven games and are quietly becoming a team that if you take any shifts off, they'll make you pay.

"The morale in the room is very high right now, we want to make a push to the playoffs," ended Zalischuk. "I believe that we have the group to make that push and get into the big dance. Exciting times here, we're looking forward to moving ahead with this group."

Carter has two goals and five assists this season, to go along with 41 penalty minutes. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jan 7, 2025 - 10:00 am

The Russell U-11 Rams took the Hamiota Arena by storm over the weekend and arrived back home with another banner to hang up in the rafters.

Brixton Desaulniers was named to the tournament all-star team as the team capped off the tournament with a thrilling 3-2 overtime win against Virden in the championship final. Previously, the Rams earned a spot in the final by downing the hosts, 9-5. 

In other action for the team throughout the weekend, they beat Tri-Valley, 11-0, Deloraine, 9-1, and they also opened up the tournament with a 10-1 win over Deloraine. This was the team's second championship this season as they also won the Dauphin event. 

They placed third in their home tournament in November and will look to capture their third championship this weekend when they head to the Grand Plains tournament. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jan 7, 2025 - 9:25 am

Just one game didn't allow the Dauphin Kings to jump up the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) Top 20 rankings as they perhaps could have.

The Kings regained the top spot in the West Division on Saturday when they beat the Winnipeg Blues in their first game of 2025 and are ranked 18th this week. The Kings are 22-8-1 on the season and are nine points behind Steinbach for first place in the league. 

Note that the Kings have games in hand for two of the three teams ahead of them. They have three on Steinbach and two on Portage. The Kings are three points back of Winkler and both clubs have played 31 games. Two games are on tap for Dauphin this week as they're in Portage on Wednesday before hosting the Freeze on Saturday. 

You can hear Friday's game right here on 730CKDM with Darnell Duff, the Parkland Source for Sports pregame show hits the airwaves at 7:20 from Stride Place.

Dauphin was one of four teams in the MJHL in the rankings, topped by Steinbach who stayed pat at number eight in Canada. Steinbach played their first game of the second half on New Year's Eve and put up a six spot to double up Niverville. They scored nine more goals over the weekend, and they're 3-0 since returning from the Christmas break. Powered by Connor Paronuzzi's 51 points and Christian Green's stellar goaltending, the Pistons have hit their stride and it will be interesting to see what additions they make ahead of Friday's trade deadline.

Jayce Legaarden and the Winkler Flyers jumped up three spots to 10th in Canada. At 23-6-2, the defending Turnbull Cup champions are six points behind Steinbach for first overall with three games in hand. The Flyers pulled off four straight shutouts in December and have 17 goals in their last three games, five of which came over the weekend against Niverville. 

The Flyers have won seven straight games and have not lost since November 29. Liam Ernst is flying high in net and Grandview's star is ninth in league scoring as Jayce has 18 goals and 19 assists. 

The Portage Terriers, who rank third in the East Division and league, are honourable mentions this week.

Backed by the outstanding play of Mitchell Kathler between the pipes, the Terriers beat the Freeze 5-1 over the weekend in their first game back from the Christmas break. The Terriers have won seven of their last eight games and are preparing to host Dauphin on Wednesday night.

Portage is paced offensively by Cameron Bullinger who has 14 goals, 28 assists and his 42 points are fourth-most in the league. 

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Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Jan 6, 2025 - 11:15 am