Puck dropping for hockey teams across the Southeast

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 12/10/2023 (975 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Hockey season has well and truly kicked off across North America, including many teams in Southeast Manitoba.

The region’s top junior teams, the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Niverville Nighthawks and Steinbach Pistons are already three weeks into their seasons, and the region’s two junior B teams are in full swing as well, with both holding home openers in the past two weeks.

MMJHL

In the ten-team Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League, the Pembina Valley Twisters play out of the Morris Arena. Last year, the Twisters finished sixth in the league standings, and fell in a seven-game battle with the Charleswood Hawks in the playoffs.

The league was dominated last season by the St James Jr Canucks, as they only lost five games in the 45 game regular season, and defeated the St Vital Jr Victorias 4-0 in the league final.

The team is 1-1-2 through four games of the 2023/2024 season, with St James appearing on track for their third consecutive league championship, as they are undefeated through four games, with a plus-15 goal difference.

Pembina Valley will next be in action in Morris on Oct. 13, as they host the Stonewall Jets at 8 p.m.

CRJHL

Just east of Morris, you’ll find the St Malo Warriors, which play in the Capital Region Junior Hockey League (CRJHL). The team is looking to build off a great season last year, where they fell to the Selkirk Fishermen in the league finals.

The CRJHL’s leading scorer last season, Ashton Dubois, is returning to the team. The 2004-born forward from St Malo has picked up right where he left off, scoring two goals and adding an assist in his team’s first two games.

Ralph Collette, the general manager and coach for St Malo said he was proud to see the team entering their 30th year, noting the team has a strong group of returning players.

He said the goal is to win the championship this year.

“We know it will be a tough task, it seems teams are always gunning for us,” Collette said.

“We need to play our best every night.

St Malo will host Arborg for a re-match of the teams’ epic seven-game semi-final series from last year. Puck drop is at 8 p.m. Oct. 13.

“It’s still fun after all these years,” Collette said.

“Seems like the COVID layoff made us realize how much sports played a big role in our lives. We are just happy all players and communities are somewhat back to normal.”

HTJHL

The region is home to the province’s only junior C league, as the Hanover-Tache Junior Hockey League (HTJHL) is set to get underway Oct. 13 as well.

The league has once again expanded, as the East Selkirk Arena will host the St Clements Gators. Their addition, after the Landmark Blues joined the HTJHL on a full-time basis last season, means the league will operate with eight teams this season.

League commissioner Darrell Lupky said the decision to add St Clements was unanimous from the other seven teams in the league.

There was some talk about moving to a division-based schedule, but in the end the league decided to stick to a balanced schedule with one set of standings.

“We’re going to play 28 games, which is the most our league has ever played,” Lupky said, noting each team will play each other four times.

“I believe this is the earliest start we’ve had as well.”

The 2023/2024 champion Steinbach Huskies will have to defend their crown outside of Steinbach. Like the Steinbach Pistons, the team has needed to move 10 minutes down the road.

Instead of travelling east down Highway 52 to La Broquerie, they have moved up Highway 12 to Ste Anne while the Southeast Event Centre is under construction. They will also play some games at the T.G. Smith Centre in Steinbach.

The Huskies will be kicking off the season in Ste Anne at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14.

WHSHL

Fans in Steinbach who do not want to drive will still be able to watch high quality high school hockey, as the Steinbach Regional Secondary School Sabres are playing out of the T.G. Smith Arena.

It was a banner year for teams playing in Steinbach, including the Sabres. While their run in the top tier of the Winnipeg High School Hockey League ended early, they went on to win the provincial championship during the season-ending tournament.

John Laninga is the head coach of the SRSS hockey team. He said the team is younger than last season, but that isn’t stopping them from aiming high.

“We have a solid core of returnees that collected lots of experience during our playoffs, and the 2023 provincial championship run,” Laninga said.

“We hope to once again be a hardworking team in all facets of the game and to make the T.G. Smith Arena a difficult place for opponents to play.

The Sabres will be returning to the Platinum Promotions division this season, with their first game Oct. 18. Their first home game will be Oct. 25. High School hockey will have a new website this season, which has yet to launch.

SEMHL

For senior teams in the region, the Ile des Chenes North Stars, Ste Anne Aces and Red River Wild are set to return to the South East Manitoba Hockey League.

Ste Anne was able to win the league last year, which was the first for all three team from the region. Games are set to begin Oct. 21, with all three teams beginning play Oct. 28, including a match-up between the North Stars and Aces.

For up to date standings, stats and results, check out the Carillon Sports scoreboard on Page B4 throughout the season.