MGEU East Division preview

The 2024-25 Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) Regular Season kicks off on Friday night around the province after another exciting season saw a long-time franchise (Winkler Flyers) capture their first Turnbull Cup Championship in nearly 30 years.

Last season in the MGEU East Division, the top two teams from the MJHL’s regular season standings went head-to-head in the league final as the Steinbach Pistons (1) made their third straight championship series appearance while the Winkler Flyers (2) would compete for the Turnbull Cup for the first time since 2002.

The conclusion of the McMunn & Yates Turnbull Cup Playoffs saw the Winkler Flyers defeat the Steinbach Pistons in four straight games to earn the Turnbull Cup as champions of the MJHL. The Flyers would go on to represent the MJHL at the National Junior A Championship (Centennial Cup) in Oakville, Ontario, where they would fall to the Calgary Canucks (AJHL) in the national quarterfinal.

A new season brings to new hope and goals for teams throughout the MJHL, where the Turnbull Cup has been handed out to a different franchise for the past four seasons (Portage, Dauphin, Steinbach, Winkler).

Let’s take a glimpse at each team in the MJHL’s MGEU East Division.

Niverville Nighthawks

Last Season: 7th in MJHL, 4th in East Division – 30=24=3=1

For the second straight season as a franchise, the young Nighthawks made the playoffs but could not find a way out of the first round. The 2023-24 season was a roller coaster ride in the standings but came with learning lessons and growth that should help the team come in this year with a different attitude. Boasting more scoring throughout the lineup and a fast team that is deadly in transition, Niverville is deep, fast and ready to move into the top tier of the league standings. The return of MJHL All-Rookie Team goaltender, Raiden LeGall, will be a big boost as the future Bemidji State Beaver was impressive

Key Returning Player: Raiden LeGall
Breakout Candidate: Luke Mackenzie
NCAA Commitments: Avery Lalliberte (Northern Michigan), Raiden LeGall (Bemidji State), Luke Mackenzie (Canisius).

Portage Terriers

Last Season: 5th in MJHL, 3rd in East Division – 36-14-4-4

Having made big strides throughout the year in 2023-24, Portage quietly went about their business on their way to a 3rd place finish in the division. Are the Terriers poised to return to Turnbull Cup contender they’ve been in years past? The team struggled to find consistency and didn’t win more than two games in a row until mid December. With just five returning forwards and a pair of new goaltenders, time will tell if Blake Spiller has once again put together another competitive and consistent Terriers brand of hockey team.

Key Returning Player: Parker Scherr
Breakout Candidate: Nolan Nenow

Selkirk Steelers

Last Season: 8th in MJHL, 5th in East Division – 25-23-5-5

A slow start in 2023-24 doomed the Steelers despite playing some inspired hockey for stretches, and they could not dig themselves out of the hole they put themselves in. This year, the leadership group believes they’ll be ready to hit the ground running. Understanding the importance of points at any time of the year, the Steelers will play hard, controlled but desperate hockey, knowing if they want to get where they want to go, they can’t take a single night off. Expected to boast a roster with young promising players, time will tell whether the Steelers youngsters are able to help drive the team into the upper echelon of the MGEU East Division. Noel Olsonawski gives them a solid foundation out from the net with a chance to win and steal some big games.

Key Returning Player: Noel Olsonawski
Breakout Candidate: Remy Hlady

Steinbach Pistons

Last Season: 1st in MJHL, 1st in East Division – 47-8-3 for 97 points

Coming off a third consecutive trip to the MJHL Finals, this time falling short, Steinbach looks hungry to try and get the job done again. A relatively young team last year, Steinbach is looking for the growth of several players up front and looks to be more offensively dynamic this season without sacrificing anything on defense. The team will have a welcomed boost after playing out of a temporary facility since the end of 2022-23 as the franchise prepares to move into their brand-new facility with their first game set for December 31st.

Key Returning Player: Noah Szabo
Breakout Candidate: Jackson Kostiuk
NCAA Commitments: Noah Szabo (Alaska Fairbanks)

Winkler Flyers

Last Season: 2nd in MJHL, 2nd in East Division – 42-11-2-3

The reigning MJHL Champions come in far from satisfied with the win last year. While many of the key contributors have moved on, what they’ve left behind will help keep the Flyers near the top of the MJHL as returning players like Brody Beauchemin and Jayce Legaarden look to help defend the title. Dedication, passion, a willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team win and work ethic matched by few, the Flyers look poised to be a threat each and every night. With what looks like seven returning defensemen and a year of experience under the belt of returning goaltender, Liam Ernst, the Flyers have a solid foundation in place to be a potential force this season in the MJHL.

Key Returning Player: Brody Beauchemin
Breakout Candidate: Marek Miller
NCAA Commitments: James Richards (Niagara)

Winnipeg Blues

Last Season: 12th in MJHL, 6th in East Division – 9-44-4-1

Many nights last year turned into tough learning lessons for a young Blues squad. Coming in with a few returning players and having more Junior A experience under their belts, as a group they’ll look to be competitive, scrappy and use the fact they may looked past to stand up and bite teams that don’t want to respect them. It may take time but the Blues have some good offensive weapons that will be dangerous nightly. Led by new Head Coach and former NHL’er, Josh Gratton, you can expect the Blues to be held accountable and continue to be guided the right way on a daily basis. Many will soon find out which first year youngsters on the Blues will impress.

Key Returning Player: Tyson Vouriot
Breakout Candidate: Wyatt Dyck

Winnipeg Freeze

Last Season: 13th in MJHL, 7th in East Division – 8-45-5-0

Despite their record, the Freeze proved to be much more thorn in the side for teams. A pesky group that refused to hand things over easily, the Freeze became known as a team that were going to make you earn what you got from them. This year, that attitude will be helped with a little more skill and grit. There will always be tough nights for any team but a young group will develop that chip on their shoulders together, which will lead to success down the road. 2023 1st overall pick, Noah Oughton, will also look to take the next step in his development and help lead the young franchise along.

Key Returning Player: Kylow Monkman
Breakout Candidate: Noah Oughton