Welcome to round 2
Other than the team that won it all, there’s an argument to be made that no team had a better playoff than the Waywayseecappo Wolverines as the organization took a step into the second round of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. They were also the only team in the playoffs to beat the eventual Turnbull Cup & Centennial Cup champion, Nighthawks.
Capturing the imagination of the community, a group that was all heart left it all on the ice and created something very special that will be remembered and talked about for a long time.
That was then and this is now, but there are no signs that last year was the high point. If anything, it may just be the smoke before the real fire engulfs the league.
Coach Cochrane
Landyn Cochrane played 162 games for the Wolverines, but his biggest impact might be returning home after living a hockey life. A knowledgeable, likeable, engaging, team-first leader, Cochrane has pushed the program forward. A place where players want to stay, and where others wish they could be.
This year will be a big, big test. People are watching, they took notice of the atmosphere, how hard it was to win in that building, and how hard that group works. It may take some time to flush out the scoring aspect, but a veteran star goalie will keep them in the fight on any given night.
2026-27 Outlook
Going into the new season, the Wolverines look like they are going to pick up right where they left off and ride the wave. With key returning players having more opportunity and young players coming in to play roles, there is little doubt that they should be considered in the upper tier of the league.
They’ve got the belief now, but they also will not be catching other teams by surprise. They have earned the right to be a serious threat, and with that, comes other competitors best nightly.
Like any team, a lot must go right over the course of a long, long season, but picking the Wolverines to push for their first MJHL final appearance isn’t as outlandish as it would have seemed just a handful of seasons ago.
