Former U18 Wheat King impressing at Wolverines camp

Former Brandon Wheat Kings U18 AAA defender Max Dawson is excited to make his junior hockey debut with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines this season.

“I’m excited to get the season going and play my first few junior games,” said Dawson.

The 2009-born Dawson’s performance at training camp has the staff excited for his debut in a few weeks. Those who saw him play with Brandon last season understand all to clearly why the young defender will be an impact player in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League this year.

During the 2025-26 season, Dawson finished seventh on the team in scoring with six goals and 36 assists, narrowly missing the point per game mark with 42 points in 46 games. Only Easten Turko — who was selected in the third round of the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft by Brandon — scored more points with 63.

The top two defenders from last year’s U18 Wheat Kings team are good friends. On one of his weekends off, Dawson traveled home to Brandon to watch Turko play in a pre-season game for Wheat Kings.

Last year was a breakout season for Dawson, who had been roughly a half-point-per-game player until then.

“My teammates definitely played a big role in my point production last year,” said Dawson. “It was a great year. Really happy with the outcome.”

His efforts earned him a signing with Waywayseecappo in June. He arrived at camp with a spot on the roster secured, but he’s been sure to keep his eyes focused on playing at the highest level possible.

“You’re never guaranteed a spot … you’re going to have to earn everything in junior hockey,” said Dawson. “There’s a lot of guys at camp, signed or not everyone has a chance to make it.”

His attitude is the correct one to have, but he’s more than earned his spot at this point. Through three pre-season games with the Wolverines, he’s accumulated one goal and three assists, an impressive tally for any player, let alone a 17-year-old.

“He’s a smooth-skating two-way defenceman,” said Waywayseecappo head coach and general manager Landyn Cochrane. “He can get up in the rush and be that trailer. We saw it in Swan Valley. He scored a beautiful goal with his release.”

Combining Dawson’s skating abilities with his advanced hockey IQ is what makes him a formidable player despite his age.

Preseason games are usually a bit easier than those in the regular season, but scoring is always a good sign, especially for a young player. Cochrane added that while Dawson has been impressive on the ice, he’s also fit in with the older players providing a calming presence.

When it comes to Dawson’s abilities on the ice, his coaches feel that a year of playing junior hockey will do a lot for his game.

“He has the potential to be a Western Hockey League Player, … He has all the tools,” said Cochrane. “Getting a year of junior hockey at 17 will be beneficial for him, and if he’s not in the Western league at 18, he’s going to be dominant in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.”

Starting on a new team in a new place can be overwhelming for young players.

“I’m a bit nervous,” said Dawson. “Moving away from home and what not, but Waywayseecappo has been very welcoming to me. I’ve met some awesome billets in Russell and overall, it’s been great so far. I’m really happy.”

Born in Thompson, Dawson also has family in Brandon. Over the past three years, he’s moved back and forth between the two cities.

Having his family just a short trip down the road is a nice bonus for the young blue-liner.

“On off weekends here in Russell we are allowed to go back home, so I’ve already done that once,” said Dawson. “It’s nice being close.”

Dawson is keeping it simple going into his first year playing junior hockey. While many concentrate on points and scoring, he’s focused on consistency.

“I want a solid season,” said Dawson. “I don’t want to be injured and obviously I don’t want to be out of the lineup. I don’t want to give the coaches here a reason to take me out of the lineup and scratch me.”

Given that he can establish that, he wants to push the Wolverines to win a MJHL championship and go to the Centennial Cup. He feels the team is well positioned to take up the challenge.

The Wolverines final pre-season game will take place tonight at the Waywayseecappo Arena Complex against the Melville Millionaires of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.

The team starts the regular season with a set of back-to-back games against the Virden Oil Capitals. Waywayseecappo will host Virden on Sept. 18, before travelling to the home of the Oil Capitals for a rematch the following night.

Whether or not Dawson is in the lineup for those games will come down to the coaches. The Wolverines D-corps looks to be a strong one this year including returners Isaac Catcheway and Adam Chipelski.

If he does start the season for the Wolverines, he will be a player to watch on both ends of the ice. He says he can’t wait for the season to start so he can show everyone what he can do.

“I’m in a solid spot with a couple of preseason games, so I’m just excited to get the season started,” said Dawson.

» rmccarthy@brandonsun.com