Address changes part of busy trade deadline day for MJHL teams

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This article was published 12/01/2024 (841 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The 11th day of January saw players in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, and similar leagues across Canada, packing their hockey sticks and skates for the move to another team and arena to call home.

It also meant social media staff for junior teams were kept busy building trade announcement artwork for their respective team social media platforms.

While the Brandon Wheat Kings moved captain Nate Danielson in a blockbuster Western Hockey League trade with the Portland Winterhawks, the Portage Terriers were just as busy at the 5 p.m. MJHL trade deadline on Wednesday.

Sitting second in the standings, the Terriers added a number of veteran players in key positions on the roster.

The Terriers traded defenceman Brett Magarrell (2005) along with a third- and fifth-round draft pick to the Dauphin Kings for defenceman Aidan Brook (2003) and forward Rhett Perrin (2006).

Portage then moved forward Brenden Holba (2003) and rearguard Ryley Cyca (2005) to the Waywayseecappo Wolverines for forward Jesiah Bennett (2004) and future considerations.

Forward Evan LaChimea (2005) was then traded to the Kam River Fighting Walleye Superior International Hockey League (SIJHL) for future considerations.

Meanwhile, Austin McLean (2003) has chosen to play Junior B in Saskatchewan with Pilot Butte.

“With the addition of veterans Fishley (acquired Jan. 6) and Brook we feel we addressed the need for some size and experience on the back end,” said head coach and general manager Blake Spiller in a release. “Both guys were captains of their previous team.

“Bennett is a big forward who skates well and will be expected to bring physical play and chip in offensively. Perrin understands the game, a solid all around player will bring grit and a solid work ethic.”

“With the uncertainty, it is always a difficult time of year especially for players, their family and billet families. We really enjoyed having Holba and McLean with us for three years and they along with Magarrell had the opportunity to experience playing in a national tournament last season,” Spiller added.

“Both LaChimea and Cyca are young players who are going to good situations. All these players represented our team and community with integrity and we wish them all the very best in their future.”

Brook, at six-foot-three, spent parts of two seasons in the WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers and Prince George Cougars.

The veteran blueliner has 13 points in 31 games this season. From Roblin, Brook comes from a hockey family with both of his brothers having played in the WHL.

Perrin made the jump to the MJHL this season with the Dauphin Kings. The six-foot-one Morden product was drafted in the second round (20th overall) by the Kings in 2022 and has three points in 17 games this season.

Bennett played 42 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings as a 17-year-old before moving on to the Prince Albert Raiders. This season in Waywayseecappo, the six-footer had 17 points in 30 games.

From Winnipeg, Bennett was taken in the sixth round (57th overall) by the Winkler Flyers in 2019.

The Terriers also acquired D-man Ashton Fishley (2003) from the Swan Valley Stampeders for a player development fee (PDF).

Six-foot-one Fishley was named captain this season for the Stampeders and had 23 points in 32 games.

The veteran from Balcarras, Sask., came into the MJHL with the Terriers during the 2021-22 season and had nine points in 50 games. He was traded to Swan Valley at the start of last season after one game.

The Terriers also traded forward Owen Underhill (2004) to the West-Kent Steamers of the Maritime Hockey League (MHL) for a PDF, then acquired forward Adler Johnston (2004) from the Austin Bruins of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) for a PDF.

Johnston has put up three points and 21 penalty minutes in 15 games this season. The six-foot forward from Albert Lea, Minnesota, split last season between the NAHL and the Norther American Tier 3 Hockey League (NA3HL).

In other trade news, the Swan Valley Stampeders traded 20-year-old defenceman Luke Schaeffer to the Fernie Ghostriders of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) for a PDF.

The six-foot native of Odessa, Sask., was acquired last September from the Niverville Nighthawks and dressed in 30 games for the Stampeders this season, collecting five points.

Swan Valley then traded 20-year-old goaltender Gage Stewart to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons of the Alberta Junior Hockey League for future considerations.

A native of Marathon, Ont., Stewart dressed in 20 games for the Stampeders, posting a 3.86 GAA and .909 save percentage.

The Stampeders then acquired 19-year-old forward Kai Clayton from the French River Rapids of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League for a PDF.

Clayton, a native of Tsawwassen, B.C., had 11 goals and 28 points in 35 games this season with the River Rapids.

Prior to that, the six-foot forward played for the Ontario Junior Reign (USPHL), where he had 42 points in 43 games.

In the Winkler Flyers camp, the team completed a trade which brings D-man Nolan Wickham (2003) from the Dauphin Kings in exchange for rearguard Ty Pratte (2005) and Future considerations.

The Dauphin Kings were busy on trade deadline day, too, acquiring Ashton Paul (2004) and future considerations from the Flin Flon Bombers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League for Anthony Bax (2003).

The Kings then traded for Ty Pratte (2005) and a second round draft pick from the Winkler Flyers for Nolan Wickham (2003), who was part of Dauphin’s 2021-22 championship team.

The Niverville Nighthawks were also busy on the trade market, acquiring D-man Jase Konecsni (2005) from the SJHL’s Melville Millionaires for future considerations.

The Nighthawks then did a deal with the Swan Valley Stampeders, sending forward Ian Ness and future considerations for forwards Alex Walicki and Josh Danis.

The East Division-leading Virden Oil Capitals acquired forward, and Moosomin, Sask. native Marshall Light (2005) from the SJHL’s Battleford Northstars for future considerations.

Virden also acquired defenceman Tyler Dodgson (2004) from the Winnipeg Blues.

In return, the Oil Capitals have sent defenscman Rhylan Baxter (2006) and forward prospects Aidan Wuerfel (2005) and Morgan Waddell (2006) back to the Blues.

Virden coach and general manager Tyson Ramsey said he was excited to add some depth to his team’s blue-line.

“We are very excited to add Tyler to our group,” Ramsey said. “He is a highly intelligent, puck-moving defenceman (who) can play in all situations and brings leadership and experience on and off the ice. He makes us that much deeper on the back end and will be a great compliment to our group.”

The OCN Blizzard made a trade with Flin Flon, too, acquiring D-man Cheechoo Lathlin (2004) for a PDF.

The Carleton Place Canadians of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) was busy on the trade market with teams from the MJHL.

The Canadians acquired forward Blake Boudreau (2003) for a PDF, while the Waywayseecappo Wolverines received a PDF after sending forward Guerin Apperley (2003) east to Ontario.

OCN also dealt with the SJHL’s Millionaires, acquiring D-man Blake Ekren-Bratton (2005) for a PDF.

The Steinbach Pistons received a PDF after sending forward Kyle Kudrna (2003) to Carleton Place.

Since the 2023-24 MJHL season started in September, Swan Valley has made more than six trades, tops in the 13-team league. Niverville is runner-up with five, while most teams have made three to four deals leading up to the trade deadline.

»The Brandon Sun