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NHL

Matthew Merkel / FREE PRESS Nervous moments gave way to joy for Carson Carels, on the family farm near Cypress River, when the Calgary Flames called his name and the champagne started flowing.

Pride of Cypress River drafted sixth overall by Calgary Flames

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Jun. 26, 2026

CYPRESS RIVER — It began like any other day for Carson Carels: Up at the crack of dawn, feeding his baby goats, driving a herd of hungry cattle and then heading to the rink for a quick workout.

But by the time Friday was over, it was one he would never forget.

Carels was drafted sixth-overall by the Calgary Flames, sharing the experience with more than 100 family members and close friends in an outdoor viewing party held on the family farm here in southwestern Manitoba.

“Just awesome. I’m still shaking right now,” the 18-year-old defenceman told the Free Press moments after hearing his name announced during the television broadcast by Flames legend Lanny McDonald.

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NHL

DAMIAN DOVARGANES / ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Carter Bear, left, stands with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman after being drafted by Detroit Red Wings during the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 27, 2025, in Los Angeles.

Winnipegger to meet his heroes after being drafted by Penguins

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Winnipegger to meet his heroes after being drafted by Penguins

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Saturday, Jun. 28, 2025

Peyton Kettles remembers the Evgeni Malkin jersey he rocked as a youngster.

So you can imagine his delight when the Winnipegger pulled on a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey on Saturday after being chosen in the second round of the 2025 NHL Draft with the 39th overall pick.

“It was definitely a huge relief and I’m definitely happy to hear my name called by the Penguins. To have their history, with me growing up around that time, is really cool and really special,” Kettles said in a telephone interview from Los Angeles, where he attended the event at Peacock Theater with his parents and his brother. “I owned a Malkin jersey and all of the stuff like that. It’s a full circle moment for me.”

Kettles, listed at 6-5 and 194 pounds, is a hard-hitting defenceman who had five goals and 14 points in 53 games in the Western Hockey League with the Swift Current Broncos.

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Saturday, Jun. 28, 2025

Junior Hockey

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.

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

Junior Hockey

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

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

WHL

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Jets centre Mark Scheifele will mentor the next generation of junior players in partnership with majority Penticton Vees owner Graham Fraser.

Scheifele invests in newest WHL franchise, partners with past billet family

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Scheifele invests in newest WHL franchise, partners with past billet family

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 26, 2025

Mark Scheifele knows a thing or two about the type of environment required to foster optimal development of a top junior hockey prospect.

So, it comes as little surprise that the Winnipeg Jets centre is getting on board as a partner with majority owner Graham Fraser, as the Penticton Vees hockey team gets set to join the Western Hockey League for the 2025-26 season.

Scheifele has a strong connection to the Fraser family, as they were his billets during two seasons with the Barrie Colts of the Ontario Hockey League.

“He’s owned the Penticton Vees for a long time,” said Scheifele. “I’m obviously a guy that played junior and had my junior career living with them, and they made my experience so special.

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Wednesday, Mar. 26, 2025

Junior Hockey

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.

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

Junior Hockey

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.

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

Junior Hockey

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

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

Junior Hockey

Caroline Anne photo Carter Bear of the Everett Silvertips is among the WHL leaders in goals and points.

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

Junior Hockey

Liam Richards / Electric Umbrella files Christine Bumstead is in her fourth season as an assistant coach with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s hockey team.

Former Winnipegger juggles coaching duties with multiple hockey teams

Mike Sawatzky 5 minute read Preview

Former Winnipegger juggles coaching duties with multiple hockey teams

Mike Sawatzky 5 minute read Thursday, Sep. 12, 2024

Christine Bumstead is serious about paying her dues.

The 28-year-old Winnipegger, who once guided the Pembina Valley AAA U15 girls team and Canada’s female entry at the 2024 world deaf championships, is currently juggling multiple coaching roles.

She is beginning her fourth year as an assistant coach with the University of Saskatchewan Huskies women’s team while also in her second season as a development coach with the WHL’s Saskatoon Blades.

Bumstead, a substitute Grade 6 and 7 teacher in Saskatoon, is also the head coach of the Manitoba team that will compete at the national U18 female championship, Nov. 3-9 in Quispamsis, N.B.

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Thursday, Sep. 12, 2024

Junior Hockey

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Josh Gratton’s career has taken him to numerous teams on three continents as a player and coach.

Journeyman puckster brings enthusiasm and experience to Winnipeg Blues bench

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Preview

Journeyman puckster brings enthusiasm and experience to Winnipeg Blues bench

Mike McIntyre 7 minute read Monday, Sep. 9, 2024

Josh Gratton’s hockey resume reads more like a globe-trotting adventure novel.

From starting out with the St. Mary’s Lincolns of the now-defunct Western Ontario Junior B Hockey League to making it to the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers and Phoenix Coyotes, the 42-year-old Gratton has pretty much been there and done that when it comes to levels and locations.

There was a brief trip to the Mid-Western Junior Hockey League, four different clubs in the Ontario Hockey League, three separate stints in the ECHL, seven squads in the AHL, two Russian teams, two more in Kazakhstan, one in Denmark, one in Sweden, one in Slovakia, one in France and one in England.

“A lot of good life experiences, that’s for sure,” Gratton told the Free Press on Monday. “I wouldn’t change it. Very fortunate to play the game and see a lot of different places.”

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Monday, Sep. 9, 2024

Junior Hockey

DAVID GOLDMAN / ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES UND forward Jayden Perron is one of only three Manitobans recruited by NCAA Division I schools who didn’t play in the MJHL.

Trying to make sense of chaos ahead of NCAA Hockey Summit

Mike Sawatzky 5 minute read Preview

Trying to make sense of chaos ahead of NCAA Hockey Summit

Mike Sawatzky 5 minute read Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024

Navigating the sometimes bewildering landscape of elite hockey in North America can be difficult and Sean Hogan wants to help.

The executive director of College Hockey Inc., a grant-based organization that promotes NCAA hockey, will be in Winnipeg next week as part of the Winnipeg NCAA Hockey Summit to speak to prospective college players and their parents.

Recent suggestions that the NCAA was preparing to lift a 40-year ban on players who have played or signed with Canadian Hockey League teams has been a hot topic, with far reaching implications for prospects deciding between the college or major-junior routes.

“I would say amongst Canadians, that is probably the most frequently asked question right now,” said Hogan by telephone from Fredericton, N.B., Thursday. “It is important to understand the rule hasn’t changed, so that’s going to be the messaging.

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Thursday, Aug. 8, 2024

Junior Hockey

Staff 1 minute read Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024

Winnipegger Peyton Kettles is the lone Manitoban to be named to Canada’s 22-man roster for the upcoming Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which will be played in Edmonton Aug. 5-10.

Kettles, a 16-year-old defenceman who recently completed his rookie season with the WHL’s Swift Current Broncos. He had two goals, 13 points and 44 penalty minutes in 61 regular-season games and added two assists in eight playoff games with the Broncos.

The 6-5, 190-pound Rink Hockey Academy grad is one of seven blue-liners hoping to help Canada’s U18 squad win its third straight gold medal and its 25th win in tournament.

The team will be led by head coach Kris Mallette and assistant coaches Gordie Dwyer and Ryan Oulahen.

WHL

Perry Bergson / Brandon Sun files Don MacGillivray is joining the Victoria Royals as an assistant coach.

MacGillivray joins Patrick behind bench of WHL’s Victoria Royals

Mike Sawatzky 3 minute read Preview

MacGillivray joins Patrick behind bench of WHL’s Victoria Royals

Mike Sawatzky 3 minute read Friday, Jul. 12, 2024

Two of Manitoba’s most accomplished junior hockey coaches are joining forces.

This week, the WHL’s Victoria Royals added veteran hockey man Don MacGillivray as an assistant coach on the staff of head coach James Patrick.

MacGillivray, a 59-year-old Winnipegger, is changing teams for the second time in as many years.

He spent the 2023-24 season as an assistant coach with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen and head coach Steve Hamilton before the entire staff was dismissed after missing the playoffs. Prior to that, MacGillivray served as head coach of the Brandon Wheat Kings from from 2020 until late 2022.

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Friday, Jul. 12, 2024

WHL

GRAHAM HUGHES / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Dominion City’s Denton Mateychuk.

Mateychuk named WHL defencman of the year

Staff 2 minute read Preview

Mateychuk named WHL defencman of the year

Staff 2 minute read Tuesday, May. 7, 2024

Dominion City’s Denton Mateychuk has been awarded the Bill Hunter Memorial Trophy as WHL’s defenceman of the year for 2023-24, the league announced Tuesday.

The 19-year-old bested a talented group of award finalists, including: Winnipegger Hudson Thornton of the Prince George Cougars (B.C. Division); Carter Yakemchuk of the Calgary Hitmen (Central Division); and Abbotsford, B.C.’s Graham Sward of the Wenatchee Wild (U.S. Division).

“It’s a huge honour to win the top defenceman award this year,” said Mateychuk in a release. “I want to take the time to congratulate the other division winners on their great seasons. It was pretty cool to be able to tell my family that I won the award after all we’ve been through together and all they’ve done for me.

“It was also really cool to share with my teammates and my coaches. I want to thank them for all that they’ve done for me this year and in the previous years and for the player that I am today. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

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Tuesday, May. 7, 2024

Junior Hockey

Prince George Cougars Photo Prince George Cougars captain Hudson Thornton is in his third year with the WHL club.

Hard work and patience paying off

Mike Sawatzky 7 minute read Preview

Hard work and patience paying off

Mike Sawatzky 7 minute read Wednesday, Mar. 27, 2024

Something Hudson Thornton has learned during his tenure with the Prince George Cougars is this: helping turn a mediocre team into an WHL powerhouse is probably going to be a slow, sometimes painful process.

The Cougars are just such a case.

A non-playoff team before he arrived, Prince George has capped a slow build by winning more games (49) and earning more points (102) this season than any other since the franchise relocated from Victoria, B.C., prior to the 1994-95 campaign.

Now, they’re an emerging juggernaut with aspirations for something bigger and a Western Conference regular-season title might only be a starting point.

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Wednesday, Mar. 27, 2024

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