Chiefs aspire to be difficult to play against

The 2026-27 Yellowhead Chiefs U18 team hopes to be the opponent that other teams in the Manitoba Female U18 Hockey League hate to play against.

To accomplish that goal, head coach Logan McGonigal wants his girls to embrace hard work.

“We’re physical on the puck all the time,” said McGonigal. “(There’s) no time and space, and that’s kind of the philosophy we go with. Play the game hard, be hard to play against and the rest will fall into place.”

That grinding style of play demands a lot from the players. It virtually can’t succeed unless the team buys in and decides they will put the work in to achieve the desired outcome.

With a large returning group and a coaching staff that prioritizes bringing the team together, the Chiefs seem well on their way to becoming the well-oiled machine McGonigal describes.

“We’re big on team culture,” said McGonigal. “We have a really tight-knit group of girls to start the season off, so we’re excited for the year to get going.”

The team started its season on home ice against the Interlake Lightning on Friday evening.

FORWARDS

The 2026-27 Chiefs boast a robust group of forwards that features a good mix of returning players and fresh faces that McGonigal praises as being one of the deeper groups he’s had the pleasure to coach.

“What I’m most excited about this year is we’re deeper at the forward side of things than we have been in the past,” said McGonigal. “I’m not sure any one girl is going to run away with scoring … it’s going to be spread throughout.”

Returning for another year wearing blue and gold are 2009-born forwards Khloe Brown, Courtney Cochrane, Nicole Rozdeba, Callee Despiegelaere, Bryleigh Barnes and Casey George.

With more than half of the forward group made up of veteran forwards, there is plenty of experience. The Chiefs will need some of these players to take a step forward when it comes to scoring.

Last year, only Rozdeba hit double digits in points with three goals and seven assists in 28 games.

Aubree McKinnon, who had 12 points with the U15 Wildcats last year, made the jump up to join the team.

Another U15 player joining the Chiefs’ ranks is Scotia Smith, who scored 15 goals and added 16 assists for 31 points in 23 games. She led the U15 Yellowhead group in points and could be a player to watch as she transitions to the U18 level.

“It’s a big ask for a girl coming out of U15 to U18,” said McGonigal. “It’s a big jump.”

The last three forwards joining the group are Elle McMullen, Paige Thompson and Quinn Twordik, who played for the U18 Westman Wildcats last season.

With 11 forwards, McGonigal will have a lot of options when it comes to line combinations. The two “extra” forwards also give the lineup the ability to sustain injuries if necessary.

DEFENCE

This year’s D-corps will be without Erica Miko and Devyn Moncur, who are both 2008s. Their absence leaves room for the four returning players to take on larger roles.

Though she is the youngest of the group, 2011-born Haley Chipelski could be primed for a very exciting year. As an underage player, she led the team in points with nine goals and 10 assists.

Also returning are 2010-born players Rose Cochrane and Avery McGonigal. They’re joined by Jayce Oakden, the only 2009-born defender in the group.

“(Jayce has) a really defensive style of play; really good in the D-zone,” said McGonigal. “Rose Cochrane (is) an offensive defenceman but still responsible in our end and (there’s) lots of firepower with Hailey.”

Louelle Jasper and Jaelyn Mann both join the D-corps after playing for the U15 Westman Wildcats last season. Jasper scored 16 points in 24 games with Westman, while Mann scored 15. Both have made a strong first impression.

All told, the group is strong. It’s more than likely Chipelski will lead the backend in points, while the other returnees chip in and hold down the fort. If Mann and Jasper continue to score the way they did in U15, the D-corps will be formidable.

“We’re really happy with our D-corps,” said McGonigal. “Couple first-year girls that can play the game and (I’m) excited for them to get going here and see what the league’s about.”

GOALIES

Kylie Hack and Gracie Johnston are both back for another season. The pair of 2009s passed the crease back and forth, with Hack taking over in the back half of the year.

In 19 games, Hack maintained a .915 save percentage and a 2.12 goals-against average. The very strong numbers make it clear why she ended up taking the starting position.

Johnston meanwhile recorded a 3.06 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage in 10 games played.

“They’ve put a ton of work in over the summer, and they look really good,” said McGonigal of the tandem. “We had a Portage showcase, and both of them stood on their head and competed very well.”

While Hack was the starter by the end of last season, that doesn’t mean she will be this year. It’s going to be a battle between the two to see which one can earn more time.

“The job’s there for whoever wants to take it,” said McGonigal. “They both know their stance and they’re both very good goalies, and at the end of the day, somebody is going to have to take the bull by the horns.”

The combination of a pair of returning goalies as well as a strong D-corps, Yellowhead could easily be a team that makes it difficult for opponents to score.

That’s something that fits nicely with McGonigal’s goal of being a team that is difficult to play against.

The Chiefs will continue their season with a pair of home games against the Eastman Selects on Oct. 16 and the Winnipeg Avros on Oct. 17.

“The whole team has bought into playing for what’s on the front of the jersey, and that’s what’s going to make us a tough team to compete against because we’re fighting for each other,” said McGonigal.

» rmccarthy@brandonsun.com