By Derek Holtom
No one can say the Manitoba Junior Hockey League is averse to trying new things to help grow the league.
Case in point – a pair of upcoming games for the Northern Manitoba Blizzard will not take place in The Pas, or even Opaskwayak Cree Nation, the birthplace of the franchise. In fact, they’ll take place in Cross Lake and Norway House, two communities who not only love hockey but have produced many MJHL stars over the years. The Blizzard are dubbing it the Northern Manitoba Impact Tour.
“As an organization we believe our responsibility goes beyond winning hockey games,” said Blizzard President of Hockey Operations and Head Coach, Josh Gratton in a press release. “We have an opportunity to use the Blizzard to bring people together, inspire youth and create opportunities across Northern Manitoba. This tour is a big step toward making this a team that the entire North can call its own.”
As noted, these two communities have produced some very talented MJHL players through the years – players such as Brady Keeper, Justin Nachbaur, and Tony Apetagon (who played for both the Blizzard and the Blues ironically). But now fans there can see the league these players starred in, rather than having to drive hours to see them elsewhere.
“For some of these kids, seeing a Junior A Hockey game may be something they’ve never experienced in their own community,” Gratton explained in the press release. “The Northern Manitoba Impact Tour is about more than hockey. It’s about bringing our team to the communities of the North, building relationships, inspiring young people and show them they have a place in the game.”
• The MJHL Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries three stars are headlined this week by forward Brody Green from the Dauphin Kings. He earned his honour in three games, scoring twice and adding four helpers for six points.
Next up is two-time MJHL champion Marlen Edwards from the Niverville Nighthawks. The high-scoring forward had three goals and three assists for six points in two games last week. In just five games this year Edwards has been averaging three points a game. At that pace he’ll easily win the scoring race.
The final winner is forward Treycen Wuttnee from the Waywayseecappo Wolverines. In three games he scored twice and added four helpers to earn his nod.
• After a bit of a dry spell, the MJHL trades started flowing again recently.
Starting us off is the Selkirk Steelers sending a player development fee (PDF) to the Weyburn Red Wings of the SJHL for forward Jacob Morrison. The Surrey, B.C. native had a goal and an assist in six games this year.
The Winnipeg Monarchs sent forward Shea Chronley to the Soo of the NOJHL for a PDF.
The Virden Oil Capitals traded netminder Adam Courchesne to the Dauphin Kings for a PDF. He only appeared in one game this season.
The Northern Manitoba Blizzard sent defenseman Ashton Dzeba to the Winnipeg Blues for a PDF. He was held pointless in 30 games last season with the Blizzard.
The Winnipeg Blues sent defenseman Mason Millerto Red Lake of the SIJHL for a PDF. He only appeared in one game with the Blues this year.
The Swan Valley Stampeders shipped defenseman Cade Bolding to Calgary of the AJHL for a PDF. Bolding had 13 points last season with the Stamps, but did not suit up with them this year, after requesting a trade to play closer to his Alberta home.
And finally, the Northern Manitoba Blizzard shipped forward Gavin Winterstein to Smith Falls of the CCHL for a PDF.