The 2024-25 Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) Regular Season kicks off tonight 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 West Division, the Kings and Blizzard battled it out in one of longest playoff series’ in league history, the Titans made their first playoff appearance in nearly a decade, while the Virden Oil Capitals made a strong push against the eventual champions.
The Blizzard pressed the Pistons in the second round of the Turnbull Cup Playoffs to game seven with a trip to the Turnbull Cup Final on the line but it was Steinbach who would come out on top.
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 West Division.
Virden Oil Capitals
Last Season: 3rd in MJHL, 1st in MGEU West Division – 40-12-3-3
One of the more experienced teams last season, the Oil Caps may be a little on the younger side but don’t think that is a bad thing. Scrappy, hungry, and ultra-competitive, the Oil Caps have a reputation for strong structure and quick transition. They can play tough, and they’ll look to score by committee. They were one of the hardest teams to score against last year, and early on, it looks like it could be tough for teams again. A young Oil Capitals team made it to the MJHL Final in 2022-23 followed by a second round series loss to the Flyers in 2023-24. It was a series that could have gone either way as the final three games required overtime, including a pair in double overtime and the series clincher in quadruple overtime. A good mix of experience and first year players will be the formula this year in Virden.
Key Returning Player: Ethan Guthrie
Breakout Candidate: Noel Englot
Northern Manitoba Blizzard
Last Season: 4th in MJHL, 2nd in MGEU West Division – 39-15-1-3
Coming off an incredible playoff ride that will be the foundation of the organization for years to come, a fast, exciting, determined group returns primed to take another step forward with a strong returning group back in the mix. Proving last year they can swing with the heavyweights, the Blizzard have several important players back with a chip on their shoulder. Teams will have a tough time dealing with the constant presence and pressure from lines 1-4 and the Blizzard fans will love the work ethic and, more often than not, the results. It was rookie sensation, Tomas Anderson from Minnesota, who earned an NCAA Division 1 scholarship to Niagara University and shut the door on a nightly basis last season. Heading into opening night they’ll kick off the season with another rookie goaltender from Minnesota, Alexander Reedy and 17-year-old Taye Timmerman from Winnipeg.
Key Returning Player: Sam Zagari
Breakout Candidate: Quincy Supprien
Dauphin Kings
Last Season: 6th in MJHL, 3rd in MGEU West Division – 38-17-2-1
Wanting to get back to the top of the MJHL, the Kings boast a strong group of returning players that feel they deserved better last year and won’t be settling for less. An extremely hard fought west division playoff series against the Blizzard could have gone either way last season but the experience gained from returning players will bode well down the stretch. Deep in all areas with one of the top goaltenders in the country in Cole Sheffield who can single handedly win games, Dauphin looks bring that mentality and edge to every period of every game. No easy nights when the Kings are on the ice.
Key Returning Player: Cole Sheffield
Breakout Candidate: Gabriel Bugeaud
Neepawa Titans
Last Season: – 9th in MJHL, 4th in MGEU West Division – 28-29-1-0
Unless you were playing against them, you were probably cheering a bit for them as the underdog in a playoff series that showed how dangerous a group they can be. Detailed and completely bought into the ‘us vs them’ mindset, the Titans will look to build on what they were able to do throughout the year and into the post-season. Returning 18 players with a year of experience under their belt already gives the Titans an edge when the puck drops. It will largely be by committee again, but strong leadership will push the younger players right away to be difference makers. One of the most underrated goaltending tandems in the league returns with Mason Lobreau and KC Couckuyt giving the Titans and opportunity every night which should help this experienced team back into the McMunn & Yates Turnbull Cup Playoffs.
Key Returning Player: Cooper Kasprick
Breakout Candidate: Addison McIntosh
Waywayseecappo Wolverines
Last Season: 10th in MJHL, 5th in MGEU West Division – 24-30-1-3
A tough year for Waywayseecappo after looking like things were going to go their way, they ended up without a chair at the dance. Big time producers have moved on like Sean Williams who earned an NCAA Divsision 1 scholarship to Robert Morris but potential new weapons are in place as they look to regain a foothold as that consisten threat. They’ll learn some lessons early on but if teams look past them, they have the talent to make them pay. The Wolverines kick off the new season with a pair of local 16-year-olds in the lineup as Cole Hunter (Oakburn) and Adam Chipelski (Foxwarren) will hit the ice for the big club. A new young coach, new system, new attitude, and they hope newfound success.
Key Returning Player: Jase Wareham
Breakout Candidate: Mikey Thomas
Swan Valley Stampeders
Last Season: 11tth in MJHL, 6th in MGEU West Division – 11-44-3-0
A year to forget, to be sure. Last season, the Stampeders failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2016-17 and unloaded the top of their roster to look forward to the season ahead. A summer that has cemented the team in the community and the man at the helm, will do wonders for a group looking to do damage. The Stamps will still give up their fair share of chances but unlike last year, have more offensive punch that can hit teams back if they’re not detailed. Building a culture and instilling a drive to succeed that the team can build on throughout the season and into the future. The Stamps
Key Returning Player: Landon Gulutzan
Breakout Candidate: Riley Fequet
