January 2026 | The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is pleased to announce the monthly players awards supported by RBC, SAFE Work Manitoba, McMunn & Yates, Chevrolet, and Manitoba Pork:
RBC PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Aidan Herring (’05) Waywayseecappo Wolverines
11GP | 11G | 6A | 17PTS
A goal per game pace to kick off the new year for Herring who helped lead the surging Wolverines to a 7-2-2 record in the month of January. Herring is one of four point-per-game contributors on the Wolverines and looks to continue his dominance as his club chases down the Titans and Kings for playoff positioning.
Photo Credit: Kalee Haasbeek
SAFE WORK MANITOBA DEFENSEMAN OF THE MONTH
Nathan Schaefer (’06) Virden Oil Capitals
11GP | 3G | 14A | 17PTS
Schaefer nearly led the MJHL in points during the opening month of 2026 from the back-end in Virden, helping the Oil Caps to the top of the MGEU West Division. The offensive defenseman enjoyed his biggest outing of the season against the Blizzard, notching 5 assists and now sits 5th among all MJHL defenders in points.
Photo Credit: Kalee Haasbeek
MCMUNN & YATES GOALTENDER OF THE MONTH
Braxton Burdeny (’05) Virden Oil Capitals
7GP | 7W | 1.56GAA | .941SV% | 2SO
It was a near perfect month for the veteran goaltender who rattled off 7 wins in 7 starts which included 2 shutouts, turning aside 174 of 185 shots in those contests. Burdeny sits near the top of every major MJHL goaltending category, sitting 2nd in wins (17), 4th in save percentage (0.914), 4th in goals against average (2.51), and 1st in shutouts (4).
Photo Credit: Todd Pederson
CHEVROLET ROOKIE OF THE MONTH
Bryan Laing (’06) Virden Oil Capitals
10GP | 5G | 5A | 10PTS
The strong month for the Oil Capitals continued for rookie forward, Bryan Laing, who performed at a point-per-game pace, registering 5 goals and 5 assists while contributing as a 4th line centre. Laing helped Virden to a 10-0-1 record in January, boosting the Oil Caps cushion at the top of the MGEU West Division.
Photo credit: Kalee Haasbeek
MANITOBA PORK PEAK PERFOMER
Marlen Edwards (’06) Niverville Nighthawks
8GP | 9G | 6A | 15PTS
Edwards hit the ground running after joining the Nighthawks in early January with 9 goals in 8 games since putting on the Nighthawks uniform. The veteran forward with championship experience added even more depth to a deep roster in Niverville that has suffered just 2 regulation losses in 40 games this season.
Photo Credit: Kalee Haasbeek
