Suspensions hurting teams

MJHL teams continue to adjust to the new rules about fighting and safety. So too do the officials – some of which are not even aware some penalties can lead to major suspensions and fines.
I’ve already heard rumblings from a few people in the MJHL saying they are not exactly pleased with pilot project thrust upon them by Hockey Canada.
Anyway, some more suspensions to report this week.
Swan Valley Stampeder Brad McDonald was suspended for two games after being assessed a major penalty for a blow to the head on Sept. 29 against Dauphin Kings.
In that same game, the Kings also lost a player to a suspension.
Dauphin’s Calvin Cairns was suspended two games after receiving a major penalty for checking from behind.
In another game, a key Portage veteran was handed a five-game holiday. Shaquille Merasty from the Terriers was suspended for five games after receiving a major penalty for a blow to the head. This blow resulted in an injury to a member of the Dauphin Kings during their Sept. 26 game.
• Netminder Dylan Wells of Swan Valley Stampeders has been named the MJHL’s Player of the Week.
Wells, 19, was nearly flawless, turning aside 77 of 79 shots, posting a 2-0 record and a 1.00 GAA against the Dauphin King.
Also considered for this award were Zach Mausolf of Neepawa Natives and T.J. Constant of OCN Blizzard.
Mausolf, 20, recorded seven points (two goals, five assists) for the Native. Constant, 17, had five points (two goals, three assists) in two games for the Blizzard.
• The Swan Valley Stampeders will host this year’s all-star game on Jan. 19.
The game will be much different from past all-star events. There won’t be a top prospect’s game or skills competition, and it won’t take place on a weekend (prime playing time for MJHL teams). The game will take place on a Wednesday night.
This will be the second time the Stampeders have hosted this event. They hosted it in their second-ever season as well.
“It’s been 10 years since we hosted this event and we wanted to give something back to our great fans,” said Derek Boychuk, past team president and Swan Valley’s All Star Committee Chair. “The organization is extremely happy to be showcasing our league as well as our beautiful Swan Valley.”
The two teams – the Sher-Wood and Addison Division squads – will be selected by voting conducted by the league’s 11 head coaches.
• From the trade front, the always busy Neepawa Natives have traded 19-year-old forward Ward Szucki and 19-year-old defenceman Tyson Kennedy to the Humboldt Broncos of the SJHL for 19-year-old forward Anthony Noibili and 18-year-old forward Ryan Magalas, as well as future considerations.
Both Kennedy and Szucki were previously acquired this season from the Winnipeg Blues and Estevan Bruins, respectively.
Not done, there, the Neepawa Natives traded 20-year-old defenceman Mike Dopko to the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL for future considerations.
That’s six 19 or 20 year old players the Natives have now traded since the start of the season.
The Swan Valley Stampeders did not pull the trigger on a deal, but they plan to soon. Defenceman Brent Wilson has gone back to Norway House and asked for a trade. The Stampeders report they are shopping him around and that there is some interest.
The Stampeders could use some warm bodies. Ryan Wigner, Dylan Trowell and Tony Partridge were all out with injuries last week, and with Wilson leaving, they had to juggle their lineup in their two games against the Dauphin Kings.
• The MJHL Showcase took place Thanksgiving weekend. Each team plays 30 home and away games, and two neutral site games( well, except for the Winnipeg teams) in Winnipeg for the Showcase. It’s a big weekend for players as the event is heavily scouted.
“There’s going to be a lot of clipboards in the stands, so hopefully I and my team do well this weekend,” said Wells, the reigning player of the week.
For many players it will also be their first look at the MTS IcePlex facility in Headingly. The new arena is already drawing rave revues, and it’s a definite improvement for a home rink for the Blues, who used to play out of the aging Century Arena in Winnipeg.