Western Canadian Hockey Development program expanding in 2nd year

Changes to how Western Canadian junior hockey teams can add players are continuing this year.

Teams and leagues across the West signed on to the Western Canadian Development Model (WCDM) last season, streamlining rules across the region.

Last season saw increased flexibility for 15/16-year-olds, allowing half-face shields and ensuring the rules stay the same between the Western Hockey League and junior A.

Five new changes are coming this season, with more flexibility offered for out-of-province Canadian players.

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1984: Manitoba Open a $500 payday for rookie pro

While veteran Brandon golfer Dan Halldorson was winning his fourth Manitoba Open this weekend, a Steinbach rookie professional was making a mark of his own. Robin Henderson finished in 11th spot among professionals in the tournament and his 221 was third best among Manitoba pros.

Not bad for a first year professional. The Manitoba Open, in fact, was Henderson’s second tournament as a professional. Earlier this season, he had opened with a 73 in a PGA event, before faltering in the second round.

Henderson was pleased with his play in the Manitoba Open, but said his woods are still giving him trouble. How he hits off the tee pretty well determines how he will golf, he says. This weekend, he must have been hitting good drives, for he opened play with a three-over 75, followed with a one-under 71, and finished with another 75, for a three-round total of 221.

Inconsistent golf on the final day of the tournament prevented him from adding $350 to his $500 payday and moving him up even higher in the standings. Par golf and a 218 would have moved him up to a seventh place finish, worth at least $850.

Athletes converge in St Malo for annual triathlon

It turned into a scorching hot day, but that didn’t stop competitors from testing their limits at the St Malo Triathlon June 21 inside the provincial park.

Patrick Labossiere was the first finisher in the Olympic distance. Labossiere has represented Canada at the group world championships and won the 2023 world police and fire games, which were hosted in Manitoba.

“I’ve done (St Malo) many years in a row now, and it’s always fun,” the 37-year-old Labossiere said.

“The swim was good, a little difficult, a little windy on the bike and it ended up getting really hot on the run, so I suffered there.”

Danyel Heppner heading to DII college

Multi-sport athlete Danyel Heppner will continue her athletic persuits into the college game.

The softball and hockey player will be suiting up for the Lincoln University of Missouri Blue Tigers next season.

“This has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember, and I wouldn’t be here without the support of so many people,” Heppner said in a post on the Eastman Wildcats social media, thanking her parents, coaches and teammates.

The Niverville resident will be playing softball for the division two Blue Tigers, as she closes out her minor career with the Westman Magic in the Manitoba Premier Softball League. Westman and Eastman rosters have combined to field a U19 team this season.

MMSL teams continue grind through season

The Niverville Force’s chances to earn promotion to the top division of soccer in Manitoba took an early season hit, as the team has picked up three losses in their first five games in Division 1 of the Manitoba Major Soccer League.

With the top two teams in division one, Northern United and Union Deportiva Manitoba (UDM) combining for only a single loss this season, the Force will need strong results to climb back into the fight.

Niverville dropped a match to UDM 5-2 in Niverville June 24.

There’s no rest in the schedule for the Force, as they’ll be hosted top ranked Northern United July 3 at 7:30 p.m.

Carillon Sports Second Shots: June 19th edition

Featuring photos from a Carillon Sultans Winnipeg Senior Baseball League June 11, a Niverville Force MMSL game June 12, the Summer Skate Series, an MJBL game June 16 and the Grade 8 Barb Cheop track and field meet.

MJHL announces 2025/2026 schedule

Fans who missed out on seeing the Steinbach Pistons play in the brand new Southeast Event Centre can start making plans to attend games in person this fall, as the Manitoba Junior Hockey League schedule was released June 11.

Steinbach’s season will open with a home-and-home pair of games against the Winkler Flyers, with the Pistons travelling to Winkler Sept. 19 and returning Sept 21 to face the Flyers at 7 p.m. on a Sunday.

The first look at the newly branded Winnipeg Monarchs (previously known as the Freeze) will also come in the league’s opening week, as the Monarchs travel to Steinbach Sept. 24. The Pistons will first travel to the RINK Training Centre, the new home of the Winnipeg Blues, Oct. 4.

The team’s longest home stand of the season will come in late November/early December, as they host six consecutive games inside the SEC.

Niverville Nighthawks coach gets call to the big leagues

Rob Pambrun got the call everyone involved in hockey wants, as the Winnipeg Jets invited the Niverville Nighthawks’ strength and conditioning coach to be a part of their upcoming development camp.

For Pambrun, whose junior career was cut short due to an injury, the chance to participate at an NHL camp is a dream come true.

“It’s a player or coach’s greatest honour, to be recruited by the NHL” Pambrun said.

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is clearly on the top league’s radar, not just for players’ on-ice performances, but coaches off the ice. Winkler Flyers coach Justin Falk was hired by the Buffalo Sabres as a scout last season.

Denton Mateychuk named to NHL’s all-rookie team

Denton Mateychuk’s storybook start to his professional career was recognized by the NHL, as the Dominion City defenseman was named to the league’s all-rookie team for his season.

Despite only joining the Columbus Blue Jackets in late December, Mateychuk finished second in all rookie defenseman in points. He finished with four goals and nine assists over 45 games, logging a +4 plus/minus rating as well.

Mateychuk’s season started in the AHL with the Cleveland Monsters after being one of the final cuts from Columbus’ roster before the start of the season, but it was soon apparent the former Eastman Select deserved playing time in the NHL.

Montreal’s Lane Hutson, who led all rookies in scoring, is the other defenseman who was named to the all-rookie team, as he racked up 66 points while appearing in all 82 regular season game for the Habs.

SPORTS FLASHBACK 1984: High stakes for equine enthusiast

John Berger attributes his love of horses to his Hungarian background. That may be just as good a reason as any for this former volunteer stable hand, turned groom, turned owner, for turning down a substantial offer for Koleanla recently.

If he sold the horse, he says, all the fun would be gone. Of course, the fact that the three-year-old filly sweetened the pot to the tune of better than $10,000 in its last race may have some bearing on Berger’s thinking.

By winning the Countess of Dufferin Stakes at Assiniboia Downs, Koleanla has greatly enriched Berger’s stock as a good judge of horseflesh. The favorite in Sunday’s $15,000 added stakes race came in an impressive 4½ lengths ahead of the field.

Jockey Frank Licata said that being on the best horse makes it easy to win.

AS I SEE IT COLUMN: The Hellebuyck Conundrum

Connor Hellebuyck deserves a lot of credit – and is full value – for winning his third Vezina trophy (for best regular season goaltender) and his first Hart trophy (most valuable player in the regular season).

But those very impressive accomplishments, when juxtaposed with his performance in the playoffs, are a conundrum wrapped in a paradox.

To his credit, Hellebuyck played well in the last two periods of game 7 against St. Louis and in game 6 against Dallas, but his overall play this postseason was exactly like it’s been the past few years — underwhelming.

Two things that cripple a team’s chances in the playoffs are goals scored on the very first shot of the game, and weak goals let in at the worst possible time. They shatter a team’s ability to play with confidence, because they can’t count on the big save being made when it is desperately needed.

Senior soccer season kicks off across the region

After a false start due to excessive smoke in the air June 6, the Manitoba Major Soccer League season is officially underway in southeast Manitoba.

The region’s top team, the Niverville Force, opened their home schedule with a 5-3 loss to Grant Park Sporting Club June 12. The team also lost to Bonivital 3-1 June 16 and sit in seventh in the MMSL’s Division One standings. The top two teams in that division will move up to the Premier Division, the highest level of amateur soccer in the province.

The Force are next in action at home taking on Union Deportiva Manitoba June 24 at 7:30 p.m.

It took the Hanover Kickers three months to get a result last year in Division One, as they were relegated to Division Two, but the Hanover Soccer Club’s top team is on the board early, laying a 9-0 beatdown on FC Northwest’s NextGen team June 12 in their own home opener.

Giants have Sultans number early in MJBL season

If there is to be a re-match of last year’s Manitoba Junior Baseball League finals, the Elmwood Giants look to have a decisive edge over the Carillon Sultans this season.

In the teams' two meetings so far this season, including June 14 at the league’s showcase event, Elmwood has a pair of blowout victories. Those losses (9-1, 12-1) represent two of Carillon’s three defeats this season.

Manager Rick Penner said the Sultans have just fell behind early and tried too hard to chase in both games.

“I think that we haven’t been able to scrap in some runs when we need to,” Penner said.

Carillon Sports Second Shots: June 12th edition

Featuring photos from the Manitoba 55-Plus Games June 4-6, a U18 AAA Carillon Sultans game June 6, a Hanover Soccer U15 Premier WYSA division game in Steinbach June 7 and an Eastman Wildcats game at Friedensfeld June 9.