Talon Hogg is all about the Interlake Lightning program and will soon be all about the Dauphin Kings.
The 17-year-old from Warren is in his fourth season with the program, dating back to the 2021-22 campaign when he played 28 games with the U-15 team and eight with the U-17 team.
For the past three years, Hogg has been with the U-18 team in the Manitoba U-18 AAA Hockey League and he has certainly made a name for himself. Hogg has played 119 regular season games with the U-18 team, scoring 16 times and posting 53 points along with 110 penalty minutes. He's now 32 games into his final season with the team as Interlake is locked into an intense playoff race.
"Things are going pretty good, our goal was to be higher in the standings at this point but we're battling it out," said Hogg. "We have a great group of guys that are committed to making a serious push, so it's fun to be a part of."
After a nail-biting 3-2 overtime loss to the Parkland Rangers on Sunday, the Lightning sit at 15-12-2-3 with 35 points, clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot. They’re holding a four-point lead over Pembina Valley but are also just four points behind Eastman, who currently holds the fifth spot.
With the stakes higher than ever, the Lightning have turned up the heat, securing points in all three of their last games and winning two of those contests. As team captain, Hogg is fully embracing the challenge ahead, knowing the next few months will be a battle for a playoff berth.
After a decade-long playoff drought, previous to last year, the Lightning are hungry to return to the postseason, and Hogg’s leadership will be key to their success. Last year, they pushed the powerhouse Winnipeg Wild to a thrilling fifth game in what was widely regarded as one of the most exciting playoff series in recent memory. The hunger for redemption is real, and the Lightning are poised to fight tooth and nail for another shot at glory.
"It was great making the playoffs last year for the first time in 10 years, that was a special achievement for our group," said Hogg. "It would be great to lock up a playoff spot again this year to show how this program has evolved over the years. It's really cool to be a part of and I'm looking forward to being a part of our playoff push."
This weekend, the Lightning head to Brandon for a showdown against the league-leading Wheat Kings. As the captain and a key leader both on and off the ice, Talon is proving his worth with an outstanding season. With six goals and 14 assists, he’s sixth in team scoring and on track for the best year of his AAA career. His two power-play goals are just the tip of the iceberg as Hogg eyes a career-high, sitting just one point shy of last season’s total of 21 points.
Known for his relentless defensive work, Hogg takes immense pride in shutting down opposing players, but it’s his all-around game that truly stands out. His rock-solid play on the back end is allowing him to transition the puck up the ice to create offensive chances with consistency. As the regular season enters its final stretch, Hogg is poised to finish strong and leave it all on the ice.
"Looking forward to next year and what's to come, I knew that I needed to have a good year," commented Hogg. "I want to work very hard and do anything in my power to help our group make the playoffs this year. That's what is driving me this year."
"It was really cool. I definitely was looking forward to it and the experience was great," continued Hogg. "I had fun and the guys welcomed me with open arms. It was a day that I will never forget."
"That definitely relieved some stress, I wasn't sure coming into the season where I would be next year," ended Hogg. "Knowing I will be in Dauphin is very exciting for me. Doug and I talked about my roles next year, the program, and the facility. It was a no-brainer for me to sign. I'm looking forward to the development and starting my junior career in Dauphin."
