1st – Dauphin Kings
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 2-0
Impressive Player: Blake Boudreau – 3 goals in 2 games
Putting up a 7 spot at home is a terrific way to start a new year. The Kings have an upcoming four game homestand where they can really put some points in the bank early in what could be a tightly contested MGEU West division.
Up Next: Sept. 29th @ Portage, Oct. 1st vs Selkirk, Oct. 3rd vs Virden
2nd – Steinbach Pistons
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 2-0
Impressive Player: Kirk Mullen – 4 goals in 2 games
It’s never easy to start a year on the road in back-to-back games with home opener hoopla taking place so taking a pair of wins away is solid. Four of the next five are at home so expect things to really get rolling for the defending champs.
Up Next: Sept. 28th vs Portage, Sept. 29th vs Winkler
3rd – Niverville Nighthawks
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 2-0
Impressive Player: Kaycee Coyle – 1 goal, 2 assists in 2 games
They may need to reinforce the CRRC roof if the Nighthawks are going to make dramatic comebacks throughout the year. An early season trip up north should help both on the ice if they can come away with points but also off to strengthen team resolve.
Up Next: Sept. 29th @ Swan Valley, Sept. 30th @ OCN
4th – Winkler Flyers
This Week: 2-0
Overall: 2-0
Impressive Player: Dalton Andrew – 3 goals in 2 games
Impressive depth scoring is already on display for Winkler. In the first two games of the year, they have 15 players who have notched at least a point. Perhaps most surprising, Mike Svenson is not one of them.
Up Next: Sept. 29th @ Steinbach, Oct 1st vs WPG Blues
5th – Waywayseecappo Wolverines
This Week: 1-1
Impressive Player: Neo Kiemeney – 2 goals, 1 assist in 2 games
Nothing wrong with splitting the first two games with the win coming at home. For a team with so much turnover, it may simply be a case of time and playing games over pure skill, which they just happen to have as well.
Up Next: Sept. 27th @ Swan Valley, Sept. 30th vs Virden
6th – Winnipeg Blues
This Week: 1-1
Impressive Player: Dawson Zeller – 3 goals, 1 assist in 2 games
Hung in against a top team in Winkler then came back to win to even their record. Building blocks are in place for the Blues and the more they hang around in games, the more they’ll win or at the very least, come away with a point.
Up Next: Sept. 29th vs Neepawa, Oct. 1st @ Winkler
7th – Neepawa Titans
This Week: 1-1
Impressive Player: Mason Hartley – 2 goals in 2 games
Nice response after the opening night loss. Kenny Pearson and company treated the over 550 fans in attendance by getting into the win column. It’s early but they cannot keep giving up 35 or more shots a night despite the elite goaltending.
Up Next: Sept. 26th vs Virden, Sept. 29th @ WPG Blues, Sept. 30th @ WPG Freeze
8th – Portage Terriers
This Week: 1-1
Impressive Player: Slade Stanick – 1 goal, 3 assists in 2 games
The first few weeks are usually more about process than results but coming off an opening night loss, it’s always good to get it right back. Portage has a chance to grab hold of a top spot in the division with a strong 7 game homestand on the horizon.
Up Next: Sept 28th @ Steinbach, Sept. 29th vs Dauphin, Oct. 1st vs WPG Freeze
9th – Swan Valley Stampeders
This Week: 1-1
Impressive Player: Alex Walicki – 2 goals, 1 assist in 2 games
While not as dynamic as last year, the Stamps seem to be better balanced and because the scoring is more spread out, they’ll be just as effective as in years past. A nice mix of young and veterans should keep internal competition high.
Up Next: Sept. 27th vs Waywayseecappo, Sept 29th vs Niverville
10th – Selkirk Steelers
This Week: 0-2
Impressive Player: Colton Crysler – 2 goals in 2 games
The record does not reflect the play. The Steelers learned a couple of hard lessons against a pair of good teams but it’s those scars that will bond the group and help push them to get over the hump. They won’t be this low in the rankings for long.
Up Next: Sept. 29th @ Virden, Oct. 1st @ Dauphin
11th – Virden Oil Capitals
This Week: 0-2
Impressive Player: Josh Lehto – 2 goals, 2 assists in 2 games
Like the team above, this club deserved a better than their record. They are too talented, have too many weapons and are too well coached to be down at the bottom for long. Maybe the staff can throw a Christmas party early and not wait for the surge like last year.
Up Next: Sept. 26th @ Neepawa, Sept. 29th vs Selkirk, Sept. 30th @ Waywayseecappo, Oct. 3rd @ Dauphin
12th – OCN Blizzard
This Week: 0-2
Impressive Player: Sam Zagari – 2 goals in 2 games
Not an ideal start but things to build on for a Blizzard club that will battle. The schedule in the first half is a roller coaster with lengthy road trips followed by a 9-game home stand which is then followed by 9 consecutive road games. Not an easy task.
Up Next: Sept. 30th vs Niverville
13th – Winnipeg Freeze
This Week: 0-2
Impressive Player: Matthew O’Sullivan – 1 goal, 1 assist in 2 games
It’s going to be a season of learning for a very young Freeze team. They’ll hang around, they’ll never quit but eventually when the big dogs knock on the door long enough, the door will break. Hopefully programs can overlook the record at times to see what talent is on the roster.
Up Next: Sept. 30th vs Neepawa, Oct. 1st @ Portage
Week 1 rankings are based on play from September 18 – 24, 2023 ***
