Stuck in the middle?
When comparing the last few seasons for Neepawa, 2025-26 was a bit of a step back. They managed to make the playoffs for a third straight season, finishing .500 in the standings while giving up just six more goals than they scored. But once again, they couldn’t find their way out of the first round of playoffs, dropping four straight to the eventual Turnbull Cup Finalist, Oil Caps.
After so many years of battling just to get into the dance, the last few seasons where they did, has been a boost for the organization, and now there are some expectations to take another step forward. The team and the people around it are ready for that. They want it.
New captain
After a pair of seasons with local forward Cooper Kasprick wearing the ‘C’, the big letter will now be on a defender, with veteran Jackson Kohut taking over the role.
Having played over 100 games in the MJHL, Kohut has seen it all with the Titans, including the thrill of making the playoffs the last two years, and the disappointment that followed from not moving out of that first round.
Learning under past leadership will show Kohut the path, and he will look to take the team to new heights.
2026-27 outlook
It’s hard to forecast where the Titans will go this season, but the thoughts of another postseason opportunity have to be there.
They will be young. They will have players learning on the job. They will have nights where they learn some tough lessons. That hasn’t stopped them from being a thorn in the side of any team they face, home or away.
Names change, but the way they play the game, the speed, the determination, that won’t. There will be questions like can they score enough, can they play a full 60-minute game, or get the key saves they need in a game?
One question that won’t be asked is if they are a legit playoff threat, because they should be. But is this the year they turn that into a ticket in the second round.
