Steinbach Huskies making Ste Anne home this season

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This article was published 25/10/2023 (953 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was a familiar sight inside a strange site for the defending Hanover-Tache Junior Hockey League (HTJHL) champion Steinbach Huskies.

Steinbach is splitting home games between Ste Anne and the T.G. Smith Centre while the Southeast Event Centre is under construction, but didn’t look out of place at their “home” opener, a 10-2 win over the Landmark Blues in Ste Anne at the Maurice Chaput Arena Oct. 14.

The Huskies only lost two regular season game last year, oftentimes dominating their competition and their opening game against Landmark this year was no exception, as a Ethan Unger hat trick powered them to a lopsided victory.

Huskies captain Brandon Thiessen, who tied for the league lead in points last year, said the goal this season is to repeat as champions.

“We expect to do big things this year, and I think we showed it tonight,” Thiessen said after the game against Landmark.

“We have high expectations for our team, and we’re happy with how we played today.”

Steinbach isn’t resting on their laurels, adding new players to their roster to ensure they keep a championship standard. Thiessen said those new players have injected more speed and physicality into the Huskies lineup.

“(They’re) pushing us older guys to be better, and our whole team to be better,” he said.

A dominant 2022/2023 season, and a veteran-laden group for this season means Steinbach is the number one target for every team in the HTJHL this season.

“We’re excited about that,” Thiessen said.

“We like the adversity… We want it all, and we’re coming back for it again.”

Last season was a standout year for the former Steinbach Regional Secondary School player. Not only did Thiessen captain his junior C team to a championship, but he also earned playoff games with the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League’s St Vital Victoria’s.

He is familiar with Ste Anne, suiting up a couple games for the senior Aces last year.

“Ste Anne is definitely different than Steinbach, but we’re getting used to it,” Thiessen said.

“We’re going to make it a home rink, and we’ll make do with what we have. It’s been treating us well so far.”

In other HTJHL action, Red River and Springfield are off to strong starts, picking up points in two games across the league’s opening weekend. The Niverville Clippers managed a strong opening win of their own, also picking up a 10-2 win over the Macdonald Swarm.

For full standings and results weekly, be sure to check out the Carillon Sports Scoreboard on page B4.