Junior Hockey – Winnipeg Free Press

ICE WAVE MEDIA PHOTO
Stonewall’s Amy Martin suited up for her first NHL assignment last weekend in Montreal, reffing two Winnipeg Jets games at the prospects tournament.

Stonewall native adds NHL to her long list of officiating milestones

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Yesterday at 6:12 PM CDT

Talk about a “Welcome to the Big Leagues” moment.

Amy Martin, a 30-year-old referee from Manitoba, got one last weekend in Montreal. Invited to help officiate the NHL prospect challenge tournament featuring young stars from four teams, her very first assignment came under the bright lights of the Bell Centre in a clash between the hometown Canadiens versus the Winnipeg Jets.

It didn’t take long before roughly 20,000 fans were chanting “ref you suck” in her direction after what they perceived as a missed infraction.

Offended? Not at all. For Martin, it was a badge of honour.

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Manitoba First Nation jubilant after Carter Bear chosen 13th overall in NHL Draft

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Manitoba First Nation jubilant after Carter Bear chosen 13th overall in NHL Draft

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Jun. 27, 2025

Carter Bear couldn’t hear or see the eruption of cheers and happy tears from family and friends back in Manitoba on Friday night — including a large gathering in his home community of Peguis First Nation.

However, the 18-year-old could feel the love and support after he was selected 13th-overall by the Detroit Red Wings at the NHL draft in Los Angeles.

“That shows how proud they are. I’m proud of where I’m from — my community and my Indigenous background,” he told the Free Press via Zoom shortly after having his name called.

It takes a village, as the saying goes, and Bear was feeling especially thankful to everyone in his world who helped him get to this stage. He’s the first Manitoba hockey player to be drafted in the opening round since Strathclair’s Conor Geekie went 11th-overall to the Arizona Coyotes in 2022.

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Friday, Jun. 27, 2025

Damian Dovarganes / The Associated Press
Carter Bear (left) stands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman Friday at the NHL Draft in Los Angeles. ‘I’m proud of where I’m from — my community and my Indigenous background,’ Bear said after being drafted.

From small-town Manitoba to college hockey history

Ken Wiebe 9 minute read Preview

From small-town Manitoba to college hockey history

Ken Wiebe 9 minute read Friday, Jun. 13, 2025

Like many kids growing up on the prairies in the rural town of Virden, Bryn Chyzyk had dreams of making it to the NHL.

He also had a passion for scouting and player development from a young age, which is part of the reason he abandoned — or at least altered — his plan after one season of professional hockey with the Indianapolis Fuel of the ECHL and a two-game cameo with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League.

“That was probably my most accurate scouting report that I ever had — evaluating myself and realizing that I wasn’t going to make a lot of money playing the game of hockey,” Chyzyk said in a telephone interview from Iowa earlier this week while he was on a recruiting visit. “I do like the academic side of things, so the decision to go to law school was a difficult one, but I’m really glad I made it because I didn’t think I was good enough to make a long career out of it.

“I was just very honest with myself, that I did not see an NHL pathway for myself as a player. Playing minor pro or going to Europe really didn’t excite me. The goal was to play in the NHL and if I didn’t see that as a reality, nothing really else would have done it for me. So, it was a natural course to move on with what’s next in life.”

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Friday, Jun. 13, 2025

DAN HICKLING PHOTO
Virden’s Bryn Chyzyk was hired by the University of North Dakota as the first general manager in the history of the men’s hockey program.

Sky’s the limit for Julien

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Sky’s the limit for Julien

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 11, 2025

Jacob Julien couldn’t have scripted a better ending to his junior hockey career.

The 20-year-old Winnipeg Jets prospect played a prominent role in bringing the Memorial Cup back to his hometown, capping off a terrific playoff run by scoring in the winner-take-all game as his London Knights beat the Medicine Hat Tigers earlier this month.

“It’s what you dream of,” Julien told the Free Press on Wednesday in a telephone chat. “You grow up watching London win the Memorial Cup a couple times and then to actually be a part of it and win it yourself with your team, I couldn’t be happier.”

Julien finished the four-team tournament with four points (2G, 2A) in five games after racking up 19 points (6G, 13A) in 17 earlier playoff games as London ultimately claimed the Ontario Hockey League championship. Being a point-per-game player at the most important time of the year would suggest Julien was able to find another gear.

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Wednesday, Jun. 11, 2025

CHRISTOPHER KATSAROV / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Jacob Julien (right) had the go-ahead goal for the London Knights in the Memorial Cup final against the Medicine Hat Tigers.

Two-way Bruins forward first-round material in WHL Bantam Draft

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Two-way Bruins forward first-round material in WHL Bantam Draft

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Tuesday, Apr. 22, 2025

Crewe Schimnowski knows which parts of his game will impress talent evaluators.

He has a shot that most 14-year-olds can only dream about and the smooth puck-handling skills to go with it. Intangibles like elite vision and a high hockey IQ are evident, and at 5-9, 170 pounds, he isn’t afraid to throw his body around.

What’s more rare about the Winnipeg teen is a self-understanding of his weaknesses, and his determination to improve in those areas.

He doesn’t shy away from talking about what he needs to work on.

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Tuesday, Apr. 22, 2025

ALLYSON MISHELL PHOTO
Bruins U15 AAA forward Crewe Schimnowski had an outstanding 2024-25 season, amassing 57 goals and 111 points.

Kings, Blizzard set to go the distance

Ben Little 4 minute read Preview

Kings, Blizzard set to go the distance

Ben Little 4 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025

It’s not a stretch to say the Dauphin Kings and Northern Manitoba Blizzard are evenly matched.

Last year, both teams met in the first round of the MJHL playoffs. The series went seven games, featuring 11 overtime periods — including a five-overtime period battle in game six.

Northern Manitoba eventually won the series with an overall goal differential of plus-two.

This year they meet again, with the Turnbull Cup championship on the line.

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Wednesday, Apr. 16, 2025

Cassidy Dankochik Photo
Gabriel Bugeaud (right) has three goals and six assists for the Dauphin Kings during this season’s MJHL playoffs.

Twins power forward has season to remember

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Friday, Mar. 7, 2025

Dean Gorchynski had no idea he’d just completed a historic season. The 22-year-old forward with the Fort Garry/Fort Rouge Twins was quick to deflect any praise that might come his way.

“I’m proud of the guys and proud of what we did this year,” the 22-year-old told the Free Press on Friday. “I don’t really want to take credit for it,”

Fair enough, but the numbers suggest otherwise, as Gorchynski put up 101 points (33G, 68A) in 45 games to lead his Twins to the No. 1 spot in the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League standings.

Consider this: No player in the league has produced that much offence in a single campaign since 2006-07, when Keith Bially of the Pembina Valley Twisters had 119. And if you go back to the MMJHL’s inception in 1970, only nine names are ahead of Gorchynski’s.

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Group led by Oilers forward Zach Hyman buys OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Monday, Jan. 13, 2025

BRANTFORD, Ont. - A group led by Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman and his family have purchased the Ontario Hockey League's Brantford Bulldogs.

The league announced Monday that its board of governors has approved the sale of the Bulldogs by Ottawa Senators majority owner Michael Andlauer to a group including Hyman, his brother Spencer and father Stuart.

The OHL said the team currently plays at the Brantford and District Civic Centre, which has a capacity 2,952 spectators according to the city's website. The OHL says the new ownership group is pursuing a long-term lease agreement with the city that would include plans for a new arena.

"Hockey is more than just a game for my family," Zach Hyman said in a release. "It teaches our youth about the importance of teamwork and it brings together communities.

Portages Terriers head coach and GM adapts to changes in junior hockey landscape

Mike Sawatzky 5 minute read Preview

Portages Terriers head coach and GM adapts to changes in junior hockey landscape

Mike Sawatzky 5 minute read Friday, Jan. 3, 2025

Blake Spiller doesn’t seem to get tired of his job.

Now in his 19th season with Portage , the 61-year-old Terriers GM and head coach has guided the MJHL franchise to eight Turnbull Cup titles and one national junior A championship.

Portage is currently 22-10-0-0 and third in the MJHL’s East Division — well positioned to make another title run. With the league’s Jan. 10 trade deadline looming, the Terriers are lurking only six points behind the front-running Steinbach Pistons in the overall standings.

Working to improve his team has become more complicated for Spiller than ever.

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Friday, Jan. 3, 2025

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
Head coach and GM Blake Spiller’s Portage Terriers are well-positioned for another MJHL title run.

Manitoba trio seeks redemption at world U18 hockey tournament

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Preview

Manitoba trio seeks redemption at world U18 hockey tournament

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025

The national U18 national women’s hockey team, with 17-year-old Manitobans Hayley McDonald and twins Kate and Sara Manness on the roster, will be out to reclaim Canada’s place at the top of the world podium beginning Saturday in Vantaa, Finland.

A year ago, Canada appeared to be well on its way to a world U18 crown in Zug, Switzerland, but there was a small flaw in that plan.

A 4-2 loss to Czechia in the tournament semifinals, despite a 47-12 edge in shots on goal, cost the Canadians a chance at the gold medal after they had outscored their opponents 29-1 in three round-robin games before thumping Switzerland 6-0 in the quarterfinals.

Canada went on to earn a bronze medal, beating Finland 8-1 in the third-place game.

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Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025

HOCKEY CANADA IMAGES / HEATHER POLLOCK
Hayley McDonald: Canada has the team to win

Morden goalie earns spot with WHL’s Silvertips

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Preview

Morden goalie earns spot with WHL’s Silvertips

Mike Sawatzky 4 minute read Friday, Dec. 27, 2024

Raiden LeGall’s temporary assignment as a backup goaltender with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips has turned into a more permanent gig.

On Friday, the 18-year-old from Morden was confirmed a WHL regular when the Silvertips traded veteran goaltender Alex Garrett, 19, to the Brandon Wheat Kings.

LeGall is currently the No. 2 man behind 18-year-old veteran Jesse Sanche, who leads the league in goals-against average and is second in save percentage.

In six games since being called up from the MJHL’s Niverville Nighthawks in mid-November as a injury fill-in for Sanche, LeGall posted a 5-1-0-0 record with a .944 save percentage and 1.51 goals-against average for the No. 3-ranked team in the Canadian Hockey League.

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Friday, Dec. 27, 2024

ANDY GLASS / EVERETT SILVERTIPS
Raiden LeGall has a 5-1-0-0 record with a .944 save percentage and 1.51 goals-against average in six starts with Everett.

Jets make ‘hungry’ He first China-born player to sign in NHL

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Preview

Jets make ‘hungry’ He first China-born player to sign in NHL

Mike McIntyre 5 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024

Kevin He described it as “every kid’s dream.”

Thing is, not a single young hockey player from China had ever proceeded past wishful thinking and signed an NHL contract — until Tuesday, that is, when He made history by inking a three-year entry-level deal with the Winnipeg Jets.

“It’s a huge honour for me and my family,” the 18-year-old told the Free Press in a telephone interview. “A really big day.”

The Jets drafted the Beijing-born He in the fourth-round, 109th-overall, last summer, and he has been turning heads ever since. He stood out at Jets development camp and the Young Stars tournament, then really impressed at main camp, not looking at all out of place on the same sheet of ice with established stars.

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Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES
Kevin He (46) during the first day of the 2024 Winnipeg Jets development camp in July.

Mateychuk turning heads in leadup to WHL Prospects Draft

Mike Sawatzky 5 minute read Preview

Mateychuk turning heads in leadup to WHL Prospects Draft

Mike Sawatzky 5 minute read Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024

There will be obvious comparisons to his famous older brother, Denton, but Crosby Mateychuk is forging his own path in the game.

The 14-year-old from Dominion City, a star defenceman with the Eastman AAA U15 Selects, is being touted as a top-10 pick for the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft and it’s not difficult to understand why.

He’s a powerful skater, possesses a blistering snap shot that can overpower a goaltender from almost anywhere in the offensive zone and he has a brain for the game coveted by WHL teams.

Oh, and he just happens to be the younger brother of a first-round NHL Draft pick, Denton, a defenceman who captained the Moose Jaw Warriors to a WHL championship last spring.

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Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS
Crosby Mateychuk from Dominion City, a star defenceman with the Eastman AAA U15 Selects, is being touted as a top-10 pick for the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft.

NCAA rule change already affecting junior hockey in Canada and U.S.

Mike Sawatzky 5 minute read Preview

NCAA rule change already affecting junior hockey in Canada and U.S.

Mike Sawatzky 5 minute read Friday, Nov. 22, 2024

A ground-breaking decision by the NCAA to make major-junior players eligible for college hockey is only weeks old but the impact of the rule change is already having a significant trickle-down effect.

Overage players in the WHL, for instance, are already striking scholarship deals to play Division I hockey for next season.

It’s also opening doors for Junior A players who previously eschewed major junior to preserve their eligibility for the U.S. college ranks.

Goaltender Raiden LeGall of the MJHL’s Niverville Nighthawks is a prime example.

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Friday, Nov. 22, 2024

Andy Glass photo
Goaltender Raiden LeGall has moved from the MJHL’s Niverville Nighthawks to the WHL without losing his NCAA eligibility.

Warnick’s rise key to Steelers return to contention

Mike Sawatzky 5 minute read Preview

Warnick’s rise key to Steelers return to contention

Mike Sawatzky 5 minute read Friday, Nov. 8, 2024

The Selkirk Steelers have missed the MJHL playoffs in three of the past four seasons and haven’t won a post-season series in 12 years, but they’re on track for a breakout year in 2024-25.

Sparked by MJHL scoring leader Owen Warnick, the Steelers went on a 10-game winning streak to start the campaign and are currently tied with the league heavyweight Steinbach Pistons for top spot in the East Division heading into Sunday’s game against the West Division-leading Kings in Dauphin.

A young and improving lineup, combined with an influx of American talent, appears to be at the heart of the Steeltown turnaround.

The Steelers are 12-5-0-1 and losers of their last three games.

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Friday, Nov. 8, 2024

ETHAN KRESKY / SELKIRK STEELERS
Steelers centre Owen Warnick has 10 goals and 25 points in 18 games to share the MJHL scoring lead.

Silvertips’ star Bear proud to be a role model for Indigenous youth

Mike Sawatzky 6 minute read Preview

Silvertips’ star Bear proud to be a role model for Indigenous youth

Mike Sawatzky 6 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024

If you’re looking for a breakout star in the WHL this fall, you don’t need to look any further than West St. Paul’s Carter Bear.

Entering Wednesday’s action, the 17-year-old Everett Silvertips left-winger was tied for the league lead in goals with 12 in 14 games and his 21 points were a single point behind the league leaders.

“I’m a hardworking guy and I’m a leader on this team and I embrace that,” Bear told the Free Press this week from Everett, Wash., where the Silvertips are off to a sizzling 12-2-0-0 start and the No. 4 slot in the weekly Canadian Hockey League rankings. “I don’t really think about goals or points. Those will come if you just do the right things during the game.”

Bear was born in Winnipeg but his parents, Conrad and Misty, come from Peguis First Nation and Carter is cognizant he is already a role model for Indigenous youth as he rises in the rankings for the 2025 NHL Draft.

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Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024

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