Hockey News

In 2010 Manitobans will have the opportunity to witness the best junior hockey in the nation when the Dauphin Kings host the Royal Bank Cup from May 1st to 9th. Five days later and 167 km south down Highway 10, the Brandon Wheat Kings host the Memorial Cup May 14th to the 23rd . Each host team has an Aboriginal player on the team as well. Former Team Manitoba player at the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, Mike Ferland, has 19 points and 66 penalty minutes in 43 games played with the Brandon Wheat Kings. Dauphin King’s foward Justin Michaud, with Beren’s River roots, has 10 points and 122 penalty minutes in 41 games played.

Swan Valley Stampeders foward Myles Stevens, from Norway House, is 5th in league scoring and penalty minutes, in 48 games played, Stevens has 23 goals, 46 assists, 69 points, and 134 penalty minutes. Stevens, and newly acquired teammate Jordon Sinclair,from OCN, were named to the Sherwood Division All-Star team. Sinclair has 2 assists with his new team in three games giving him a season total of 38 points in 42 games,Teammate Brent Wilson, also from Norway House, was named the MJHL’s Defense Player of the Month for December. Wilson is second in defense scoring. In 41 games played, he has 10 goals, 30 assists, 40 points and 101 penalty minutes.

Five young Aboriginal Players were named to the Sherwood Division Prospects team. Kajan McKay from Waboden, TJ Constant from OCN , Shane Goodrunning from O'Chiese First Nation in Alberta, Jorden Iron from Canoe Lake Saskatchewean, and Shaquille Merasty from Minnedosa will all be suiting up January 22nd in Winkler. The All-Star game is the following night.

Portage Terriers forward Rene Hunter, from Ebb and Flow, made his WHL debut with the Wheat Kings and was +1. Hunter returned to the Terriers after representing Team West at the World Under 17 Tournament in Timmins, Ontario over the holidays.

The OCN Blizzard are going to be in a tight race with Neepawa for the last playoff spot in the Sherwood division. The Blizzard are currently five points out of 4th place behind Neepawa, who also have one game at hand. The Waywayseecappo Wolverines are going through a rebuilding season, they are currently last but made some trades for some players that will help them in the future. They will be represented by Shane Goodrunning at the Prospects game. On Monday January 18th, Wayway foward Nick Grose was named the MJHL Player of the Week. Grose had five goals and an assist in four games.

Another one of Canada's top young prospects, Brigette Laquette, will be back on the ice for the first time January 16th after missing 23 games with a broken ankle. Brigette is in Kelowna at the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Program where her team has a 31- 0 record. Brigette plays against the womens Swedish Olympic Team January 23rd and 24th. Brigette is hoping to join Team Canada at the IIHF World Womens Under 18 Championship in Chicago March 27th to April 3rd.

Moose Hunting Tales

Wacey Rabbit, from the Blood Tribe in Alberta, had a goal and assist in a 7-2 win over the Manitoba Moose January 16th at the MTS center. The following night the Rabbit and the Milwaukee Admirals took it to the Moose again with a 6-2 win. Rabbit attended Nashville Predators training camp this year and also got to play a couple exhibition games. During the off-season Rabbit was contemplating taking contract offers with either Ausburg, Germany, in the DEL, or Cherepovets, Russia, in the KHL. So far this season Rabbit has seven goals, four assists, for 11 points in 43 games. The Admirals are first in the West Division standing.

In the minor pro ranks, Waywayseecappo product Chris Cloud is playing with the Amarillo Gorillas in the Central Hockey League. In 30 games this season Cloud has five goals, ten assists,for 15 points, along with 54 pelanty minutes. Cloud also attended AHL camp with the Wilke Barre Scranton Penguins and made his AHL exhibition debut getting into a fight against the Hershey Bears. Ryan Constant, from OCN, is playing with the Stockton Thunder in the ECHL. In 32 games Constant has three goals, nine assists, for 12 points along with 53 pelanty minutes. Don Melnyk, also from OCN, is playing with the Knoxville Ice Bears in the SPHL. In 29 games Melnyk has seven goals, 14 assists, for 21 points along with 29 pelanty minutes.