By Derek Holtom
With less than 10 games left on the schedule for most teams, the playoff picture remains unclear at best in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
The league-leading Niverville Nighthawks have stumbled of late, going a modest 6-4-0-0 in their last 10 games and barely scraped by two non-playoff teams – the Swan Valley Stampeders and the Northern Manitoba Blizzard – last weekend. Their lead over the Steinbach Pistons is down to three points. Those two teams don’t have any games remaining against one another, which keeps Niverville’s destiny in their own hands.
Those two teams will get home ice advantage though, as Portage and Winker are well back and battling for third and fourth place. They entered Sunday tied for third, with the Terriers holding a game in hand. Two interesting notes – these teams don’t play each other again this year, and the Flyers remain hot since the trade deadline, and are 8-2-0-0 in their last 10 games.
Selkirk has officially fallen off a cliff and is officially eliminated from the playoffs, as are the two Winnipeg teams.
In the West Division, the Virden Oil Capitals look as though they’ll be the top seed. Even though the Dauphin Kings beat them on Saturday, it was via a shootout. Virden leads the Kings by eight points with five games in hand, so they all but have first locked up.
Dauphin’s real worry should be the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. Undefeated in their last 10, Wayway trails Dauphin by just two points. These two teams also have to factor in the Neepawa Titans, who were six back of Wayway heading into action Sunday. Further complicating things is that all three teams play one another down the stretch.
The Swan Valley Stampeders are not officially eliminated yet, but it seems inevitable despite their much better record in 2026. The Stamps trailed the Titans by 16 points heading into action Sunday. With only 20 potential points left to earn, the Stamps basically need to win out and have the Titans lose out to somehow get into the playoffs.
The Northern Blizzard are officially eliminated but do appear to be playing better hockey since the trade deadline. They took Niverville to overtime last week as an example of that.
This coming week should help clarify things for most teams, but with the races so tight, we could be waiting until the final day of the regular season before all the playoff matches are finalized.
• The MJHL Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Stars of the Week feature a pair of players from the West Division, starting with Sebastien Hicks from the Waywayseecappo Wolverines.
In three games Hicks scored four goals and four assists for an eight-point week to earn his nod.
Next up is Winkler Flyers goaltender Liam Ernst. He won both of his starts last week, posting a 0.99 GAA, a .969 save percentage and one shutout.
The final winner is forward Ethan Stewart from the Dauphin Kings. In three games Stewart scored twice while adding five helpers for a seven-point week.

Excellent snow conditions, and a full calendar of events combined to deliver one of the busiest weekends of the season at Asessippi Ski Resort during the Louis Riel Day and Family Day long weekend.
After a previous stretch of colder weather, the shift to mild conditions and bluebird skies brought a noticeable surge of visitors from across Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Families, friend groups, and longtime passholders filled the slopes, terrain park, pub, and outdoor decks, creating a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere across the hill.
The weekend featured one of the popular Late Night Ski events Asessippi offers throughout the season, allowing guests to carve under the lights while others gathered indoors and on the sun soaked decks to enjoy live music and local craft beer. The annual Rail Warz terrain park competition on Saturday once again drew strong participation and spectators, while Beer Fest and additional on hill activities kept the momentum going throughout the holiday.
Guests also embraced unique experiences such as the Ski Patrol fundraiser and the resort’s Valentine’s Cabin Dinner, which provided a memorable evening setting in the heart of the valley. Fireworks wrapped up the weekend, lighting the sky as visitors gathered outdoors in the mild evening air.

Get the whole scoop on page 6 of this week's Russell Banner.

Pickleball, Badminton and Indoor Walking are still on hold at the GPB Hall as we finish installing the new floor. Thank you for your continued patience! I promise, it will be worth it! There is pickleball in Binscarth at the school on Mondays from 7-9 pm! The RMM is available for indoor walking while we wait for the floor to be ready at the GPB Hall.
There will be a First Aid Course held on Saturday, February 28th from 8 am-5 pm in Russell. The cost is $125. Please contact the recreation office for more information or to register: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Spots are filling fast!
No Adults & Tots Feb. 25 & 26 and March 4 & 5. It will resume March 11.
The Recreation Department has snowshoes to lend out. We have 2 adult and 2 youth sets of snowshoes in Russell Recreation Office, Binscarth at Rob’s Place & Inglis at the RM Office
Free Public Skating every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-10:30 am at the Russell Memorial Multiplex
Zumba is Thursday nights from 6:30-7:30 pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St entrance, $5 drop-in.
Sunday, March 1st is Binscarth Winterfest: Sleigh Rides, indoor & outdoor activities, & skating! Binscarth Vintage Snowmobile Derby: contact Bryce McNair 431-761-1672.
PMH Healthy Baby will be held on February 26, from 11 am-1 pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex (Main St entrance). This free for those expecting a baby and those with babies under 1 year old. Come join us!
The MRB Recreation office will be closed February 25, 26, 27 while I attend the Manitoba Recreation Conference (I will be checking messages daily). It will also be closed March 3-10 for vacation, (I will have somebody checking messages during that time). Please contact the rec office at 204-821-8285.
SESSION #3 for Gym Kids Starts on March 11/12! Register now by contacting the recreation office: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Last session until fall 2026!

Talisa Brandon, 27, accused in a stabbing death, was denied bail on her fifth application after being released the previous four times.
Brandon is charged with manslaughter, aggravated assault and several counts of breaching her release order. She is accused of stabbing two men (one of the men, a 23-year-old man, died).
In July 2023, Brandon was at a house party in Waywayseecappo with a group of people when several people got into a fight. The fight ended up outside and people were armed with various items.
Brandon left the scene, went to another residence, and allegedly grabbed two knives. Brandon returned and allegedly stabbed Beaulieu and another man multiple times before leaving the scene. Police arrived at 11:15 pm. The victim was still alive but pronounced dead an hour later. Brandon was found in the yard of her home and arrested.
Brandon claims the deceased victim choked her boyfriend and the other man she stabbed hit a 3-year old child while he was trying to hit a woman. She claims they tried to remove themselves from the situation, but were being chased by the two men, one who had a machete and the other a golf club.
Three weeks later, after a contested bail hearing, Talisa Brandon was released from custody on conditions, including an 11 pm to 7 am curfew.
A warrant was issued for Brandon’s arrest less than a month later, when police did a curfew check and she wasn’t home. She was found and arrested a few days later in Sioux Valley.
In Oct 2023, Brandon made another contested application for bail and was released.
In Nov, 2024, a restaurant employee called police who said a woman was hiding in their restaurant because a group of men were following her. At the time the incident happened, Brandon should have been home for her curfew hours. The Crown did not proceed with charges and consented to her release in December 2024 on conditions.
In Aug 2025, a warrant was issued for her arrest for failing to comply with her curfew after police did a curfew check and she wasn’t there.
The warrant remained outstanding until Jan 2026, when police found her in Sioux Valley. She refused to give her name to police and gave the name of another person. Even when she was taken into custody, she would not give her name. Police confirmed her identity through her tattoos.
The judge denied Talisa Brandon’s bail application this time due to her not following her conditions and believes Brandon’s detention is necessary to maintain the public’s confidence in the justice system.
He found it concerning Brandon had a warrant out for her arrest for five months, and when she did get arrested, gave police a fake name.
Talisa Brandon is scheduled to stand trial in Brandon from March 23 to April 2, 2026.

Casual Cooks

A HUGE thank you to the ACC Youth Employment Skills Strategy Russell Cohort of 2026 and their instructor Duane Klimack who built & donated a beautiful warming shed for our community outdoor rink! Our community members will now be able to sit inside, away from the elements to get their skates on! Amazing! Thank you!
Pickleball at the GPB Hall in Russell will resume on Tuesday, February 17 from 1-3 pm & Thursday, February 19 from 9-11 am & 7-9 pm! Pickleball will continue in Binscarth on Mondays from 7-9 pm at the school. Badminton will resume at the hall on Sunday, February 22 from 7-9pm at the GPB Hall. Both programs are free and all equipment is provided.
There will be a First Aid Course held on Saturday, February 28th from 8 am-5 pm in Russell. The cost is $125. Please contact the recreation office for more information or to register: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Spots are filling fast!
Indoor Walking at the George P. Buleziuk Hall in Russell will resume on Monday, February 16 from 8:30 am -12 noon. Free! Indoor shoes required.
Adults & Tots is a FREE open gym time for adults and their kids age 7 and under. The gym will be open on Wednesdays from 1-3 pm (Feb. 11, 18) and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 am (Feb. 12, 19). NO Adults & Tots Feb. 25 & 26
The Recreation Department has snowshoes to lend out. We have 2 adult and 2 youth sets of snowshoes in Russell Recreation Office, Binscarth at Rob’s Place & Inglis at the RM Office
FREE Public Skating every Tuesday AND Thursday from 9:30-10:30 am at the Russell Memorial Multiplex
Zumba is Thursday nights from 6:30-7:30 pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St entrance, $5 drop-in!
Sunday, March 1! Binscarth Winterfest: Sleigh Rides, indoor andoutdoor activities, & skating! Binscarth Vintage Snowmobile Derby: contact Bryce McNair (431)761-1672.
PMH Healthy Baby will be held on February 26, from 11 am-1 pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex (Main St entrance). This is free for those expecting a baby and those with babies under 1 year old. Come join us!

By Derek Holtom
The Waywayseecappo Wolverines are coming off an extremely successful month of January where they went 7-2-1-1, and enter the short month of February just three points back of the Neepawa Titans for third spot in the MJHL’s West Division.
Wolverines Head Coach and General Manager, Landyn Cochrane, says the improved play comes down to a healthy team using its depth to its advantage.
“We would attribute our success in January to being back fully healthy, and everyone buying into their roles,” says Cochrane. “We have four very strong lines who can play in any situation, and seven defensemen who all compete hard every night. We also have two starting goaltenders who give us a chance to win every night.”
If the Wolverines can match their play from January into February, there’s no telling how many more wins they can put up, and maybe start looking at sliding into the second or third seed spot.
Last week
Pistons 5, Wolverines 4 (OT)
The host Wolverines almost beat the powerhouse Steinbach Pistons Saturday night, but ultimately fell 5-4 in overtime.
The Wolverines held leads of 3-1 and 4-2 before the Pistons rallied with two goals late in the third, including the game tying goal with their goaltender pulled for the extra attacker. Steinbach’s Cole Cairns (fifth) then got the Pistons the extra point 1:58 into overtime.
“We pushed the pace for the majority of the game against Steinbach – we were fast, structured and creating offense the right way,” noted Cochrane. “There’s still a few things our group needs to clean up moving forward to make that final step.”
The Wolverines got goals from Blake Farthing (sixth), Ben Roulette (19th), Noah Oughton (fifth) and Dylan Duzan (12th).
Jase Wareham took the overtime loss, stopping 41 shots in the process.
Wolverines 5, Blizzard 2 (EN)
Wayway pulled away from a pesky Northern Manitoba Blizzard team as the Wolverines earned a 5-2 (EN) victory last Friday night on home ice.

Get the whole score on page 8 of this week's Russell Banner.

Pickleball and Badminton at the GPB Hall in Russell is cancelled for at least the month of January and likely most of February for floor replacement. Pickleball will still be available on Monday evenings in Binscarth at the school from 7-9pm.
There will be a First Aid Course held on Saturday, February 28th from 8am-5pm in Russell. The cost is $125. Please contact the recreation office for more information or to register: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Indoor Walking at the George P. Buleziuk Hall in Russell will resume on Monday, February 8 from 8:30-12 noon. Free, indoor shoes required.
The outdoor rink is ready to go! This is a community outdoor rink, available for all to use. People need to keep in mind, they may have to shovel off some snow and share the space with community members!
Adults & Tots is a FREE open gym time for adults and their kids age 7 and under. The gym will be open on Wednesdays from 1-3pm (Feb. 4, 11, 18) and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30am (Feb. 5, 12 , 19). NO Adults & Tots Feb. 25 & 26
The Recreation Department has snowshoes to lend out. We have 2 adult and 2 youth sets of snowshoes in Russell Recreation Office, Binscarth at Rob’s Place & Inglis at the RM Office.
FREE Public Skating every Tuesday AND Thursday from 9:30-10:30 am at the Russell Memorial Multiplex.
Zumba is Thursday nights from 6:30-7:30pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St entrance, $5 drop-in!
Sunday, March 1! Binscarth Winterfest: Sleigh Rides, indoor & outdoor activities, & skating! Binscarth Vintage Snowmobile Derby: contact Bryce McNair (431)761-1672.
PMH Healthy Baby will be held on February 26, from 11 am - 1 pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex (Main St. entrance). This free for those expecting a baby and those with babies under 1 year old. Come join us.
The MRB Recreation office will be closed February 25, 26, 27 while Amy attends the Manitoba Recreation Conference.

The Manitoba government is inviting eligible organizations to apply for one-time project funding of up to $50,000 through the Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF), Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for accessibility, announced.
“The Manitoba Accessibility Fund empowers organizations across Manitoba to better serve everyone in their communities,” said Fontaine. “We know organizations want to make their services more accessible, they just need a bit of extra support to make it happen. We’re working together to remove barriers across the province.”
Manitoba-based registered charities, non-profit organizations, local businesses, on-reserve entities and municipalities can all apply to the MAF. Selected projects can receive up to 100 per cent of eligible costs, to a maximum of $50,000 per application.
Projects must align with accessibility standards under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act and focus on customer service, employment, or information and communication. Each project must also meet at least one of the following objectives:
- raise awareness about preventing and removing barriers;
- improve access to information and communication electronically, in print or in person; or
- develop tools, resources and training to support compliance with accessibility standards.
The MAF is managed by The Winnipeg Foundation and uses investment returns to provide annual grants to support accessibility initiatives across the province. Since 2021, the fund has supported 143 projects, and has invested more than $3.3 million in accessibility improvements across Manitoba.
The application deadline is Feb. 20. For full eligibility details and to apply, visit:
https://accessibilitymb.ca/grants-and-awards/manitoba-accessibility-fund.html