Predictions

A few more trades to announce as teams begin to finalize their rosters for the start of the MJHL season.
The Neepawa Natives traded 20-year-old forward Maxime St. Pierre to the Abitibi Eskimos of the NOJHL for future considerations.
The Natives will be making another trade very soon, as they announced on their website that Jordan Hebert will not be playing with the Natives this years.
Hebert, the leading scorer in OCN last season with 45 points (26 goals, 19 assists), had “philosophical differences” with the coaching staff.
The talented forward was acquired in a deal involving Matt Krahn.
The Natives praised Herbert despite the parting of ways. There is no doubt going to be plenty of interest from other teams interested in acquiring the Ile des Chenes product.
In other moves, the Steinbach Pistons have traded 18-year-old defenceman Landon Hall to the Dauphin Kings for future considerations.
The Kings in turn are shipping Hall to the Grand Prairie Storm of the AJHL.
• Las year the Dauphin Kings were the easy choice as the top dog in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. As the hosts of the RBC Cup, they were inevitably going to ice an extremely strong team.
But what about this year? Who’s going to be the team to beat this year?
Here is but one man’s prediction...
Sher-Wood Division
1. Portage Terriers – This squad finished second in a “rebuilding year”, so they should have plenty of veteran talent. They are also opening up a new arena this year. Recall how a new rink in Dauphin improved their fortunes? I think the Terriers are in line for that sort of bump as well.
2. Dauphin Kings – Will the Kings have a hangover or will they be in the thick of things again this year? When you load up for a run at nationals, it means you graduate plenty of 20 year olds. But the Kings have a deep list, and they have plenty of skill returning. A second place finish isn’t out of the question.
3. Neepawa Natives – Perhaps the busiest team this off season, the Natives should be poised for a strong year. Whether head coach Bryant Perrier can channel all his new players and veterans in the right direction will be the big question.
4. Swan Valley Stampeders – Coming off a bounce-back season last year on the ice, the Stampeders will try to make it two years in a row in the playoffs. Gone is much of their offensive scoring punch from last year, but a strong defensive group should give them stability.
5. Waywayseecappo Wolverines – If the Wolverines were able to play as strong as they did at the end of last year, they would compete for first place. But despite having a young team last year, the Wolverines lost some of the key players who were key to their late-season play. Still they should compete for a playoff spot, either in the Sher-Wood or perhaps the crossover.
6. OCN Blizzard – It seems strange to pick the Blizzard to finish last. For years they were the strongest team in the league, but they have come across tough times both on and off the ice. There’s no quick fix for the Blizzard who now attract far fewer fans then they did in their heyday. Maybe they will surprise this year, but I think it will be another long year for the most northern team in the MJHL.
Addison Division
1. Selkirk Steelers – Arguably the strongest team in the Addison Division the past several years, the Steelers will be in the mix for top spot. Ryan Smith enters his second season coming off a 36-win campaign and a tough first-round loss to the Winkler Flyers. Expect the Steelers to bounce back this year.
2. Winnipeg Saints – Three teams will play in new rinks this year, though the Saints did not exactly ask to move. The Saints had to scramble to play in St. Adolphe. With that drama behind them, the Saints are now focused on the rink. With alumni David Anning now the head coach, what kind of team will the Saints be this year?
3. Winnipeg Blues – The Blues always seem to ice young, talented teams. But last year their most talented players were also their youngest players, and several of them have moved on to other leagues. Don MacGillivray isn’t used to icing teams which are not in the hunt for first place, and with so many local players to choose from, the Blues should be competitive. No word yet if they plan to call themselves the Headingly Blues in honour of their new home community, though I somehow doubt it.
4. Winkler Flyers – A new head coach in John Marks will mean some changes with the Flyers, who lost the divisional final last year. Still the Flyers will as always be in the mix in the Addison, which is generally fairly tight when it comes to the top four teams.
5. Steinbach Pistons – This is another team which was busy in the off season – but will it be enough to turn the team around? The Pistons’ franchise has, for whatever reason, placed the worst in the MJHL for the past number of years. And until they prove otherwise, they will continue to bring up the rear in the Addison.