Thiessen becomes HTJHL’s all-time points leader

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This article was published 17/01/2025 (435 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon Thiessen didn’t wait long to tie and pass Jamieson Krentz to become the Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League’s modern day career leading scorer.

With his Steinbach Huskies coming into a game against the Landmark Blues Jan.10, Thiessen was just three points away from Kretz’s mark. Krentz also played for the Huskies, racking up 224 points in four seasons, playing one year in Lorette between 2010 and 2014.

Thiessen nabbed an assist on Steinbach’s first goal of the game, then added on a powerplay marker late in the frame to make the score 3-1 and draw within one point of history.

The record would be tied and passed within 20 seconds of game time late in the second period.

Thiessen first laid a perfect saucer pass to the slot for Rylan Penner to hammer home late in the second period to tie the record, then immediately following the ensuing face-off, broke the record with a point shot which found it’s way cleanly through a maze of players and past Blues starter Luke Giesbrecht. The marker prompted jubilant celebrations on the Steinbach bench.

“It was one shift, it was quick,” Thiessen said after the game.

The Huskies would go on to win the game 9-4.

Thiessen said he was motivated to get the record with family in attendance. He played high school hockey with the Steinbach Regional Sabres, even nabbing six points when he was called up to play for the Huskies for four games in his grade 12 year.

“A huge part is having a good team behind you, it’s bigger than one guy,” Thiessen said on what it took to break the record.

“When you’re playing with good guys, have good coaches, a good general manager, it’s easier.”

Despite dips into junior B, and even a couple games with the senior Ste Anne Aces, Thiessen said he’s a Huskie through and through.

“Growing up in Steinbach, I always knew what the Huskies were,” Thiessen said.

“I think it’s cool to play for your hometown, where you grew up, where you played minor hockey.”

The HTJHL has changed over Theissen’s time. What started as a six team loop has expanded to a 10-team league with two divisions.

“It might be called junior C, but it’s a great hockey league. I think we compete with junior B,” Thiessen said.

“(The league) has only gone upwards. It’s good to see, it’s good for the guys running it and kudos to them, for doing what they’ve done.”

Thiessen could be on pace to have his most productive season yet. With 55 points in 19 games, he could eclipse his previous high of 68 points.

This year has seen the long-time pairing of Thiessen and Ian Friesen joined by Rylan Penner to make up a dominant forward line this year.

“I’ve played with a lot linemates through my four years, but (Friesen) has been a huge part of it, and I give (him) a lot of credit for (the record),” Thiessen said.

Having strong linemates is key for Thiessen, who called himself a “pass-first guy.”

“I see the ice well and I think that’s helped me a lot through these four years of junior,” he said.

“I’m not the fastest guy but I know where to put the puck and when to put the puck.”

Included in the record are a pair of dominant back-to-back championship runs, which should come to an end this season. The Huskies aren’t even leading their own division, as the Springfield Xtreme look to challenge for the title once again.

“We’re going to have more of a battle this year, but I think that’s what playoffs should be,” Thiessen said.

“It’s going to be fun, it’s going to be tough, but we’re looking forward to it and we’re excited to go for the three-peat.”

In the last two seasons, Steinbach have only lost a single playoff game, an early hiccup to Niverville in their first series in 2023.

The league is calling Thiessen broke the “modern day,” points leader, as they were unable to verify the scoring records from the early years of their existence.