Local teams near top of WHSHL standings
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Click on any tier of the Winnipeg High School Hockey League and you seem to be guaranteed to see an Eastman team battling near the top of the standings.
In the top Platinum Promotions Division, Steinbach continues their strong start to the season with a 5-2 start to the season.
In the third-tier Price Division, Niverville and Lorette are both undefeated through a combined 11 games this season.
And in the Winnipeg Free Press Division, the Gabrielle-Roy/Pointe des Chenes Caveliers and Springfield Sabres are a combined 10-3 on the season, both in the top three of their division.
Included in those wins is a 5-0 dominant victory by Gabrielle-Roy over College Pierre Elliot Trudeau Nov. 7 in Ile des Chenes.
Gab-Roy did an effective job at getting the puck to dangerous areas against CPET, quickly turning turnovers into chances in front of the net.
“We try to do all the small things right,” Cavaliers head coach Zach Riet said.
“They work hard, they execute the systems properly, that’s what makes them successful as a team. It’s the entire team that contributes to a win.”
Riet said the team has a smaller roster compared to previous previous, as more players are choosing the Eastman Selects route over high school hockey. Two players on the team are from Pointe des Chenes.
Area high school programs may need to work harder going forward to recruit players away from minor hockey since the U18 AAA Selects moved from Beausejour to Steinbach.
Riet said it’s all about team atmosphere.
“You fight of course with U18 and U17 as well, and for smaller schools it can be hard at times,” Riet said.
“You try to create a good environment, make the guys want to be here, and then it’s great.”
Gab-Roy’s next home game will be Nov. 26 when they host Dakota at 4 p.m.
The Capital Region Junior Hockey League announced they were partnering with the WHSHL Nov. 8.
“This partnership strengthens the connections between high school and junior hockey, providing young athletes more opportunities to continue their hockey journey upon completion of their high school studies,” a news release on the CRJHL’s website reads.