Since taking over as head coach and general manager of the Portage Terriers in 2006, Blake Spiller has left a big stamp on the club's history.

The former team captain has turned the franchise into the class of the league, guiding them to Turnbull Cups in 2008, 2009 and 2011. It seems like every season, a key piece to the puzzle is added that puts the team over the top and gives them the extra boost needed to push for the league title. Let's take a look back on the top 5 trades made by Blake Spiller during his tenure as the team's GM.

5. Acquiring forward Cory More from the Beausejour Blades for defenseman Kevin Falloon.


Cory More won his share of hardware during his time in Portage, helping the Dogs to three Turnbull Cups.

Kevin Falloon was coming off a stellar season as an 18-year-old when Spiller pulled the trigger on a deal that sent him to Beausejour for 17-year-old forward Cory More. Falloon was later traded to the Dauphin Kings where he spent the final two seasons of his junior career, leading the MJHL in scoring by a defenseman in 2008-2009. More on the other hand played an integral part in three Turnbull Cup championships, providing solid play in the face-off circle and thunderous hits every time on the ice. More would also captain the team for two seasons and guide them to their first Anavet Cup since 2005. In total, the Deloraine native played in 163 games for the Terriers over four seasons, becoming one of the most beloved players in recent memory.

4. Acquiring goaltender Bryan Mountain from the Penticton Vees (BCHL) for the rights to goaltender Cody Pollon.


In MJHL playoffs and regular season combined, Mountain sported a record of 44-10-1.
Photo courtesy of Dave Darichuk

Coming off the championship run of 2008, netminder Cody Pollon elected to retire with one year of eligibility left. With Gavin McHale graduating from the team during that same summer, a goaltender was sorely needed if the Terriers wanted any hope of repeating as league champions. Spiller sent Pollon's rights to the BCHL's Penticton Vees for a 20-year-old goalie from Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania named Bryan Mountain. The American import proved to be just what Portage needed. Mountain went 32-9-1 during the regular season, sporting a goals against average of 2.66 and a save percentage of .911. In the playoffs that year, he was lights out, going 12-1 on the way to Goalie of the Playoffs honours and another Turnbull Cup.

3. Acquiring forward Brent Wold from the Neepawa Natives for goaltender Jordan Washburn.


Brent Wold has led the team in scoring in both of his seasons in green and gold.

Washburn had been acquired late in the year the previous season and seen time in just 16 games as a Terrier. With Jason Kasdorf ready to step in as a full-time starter, Spiller sent the Saskatchewan native to Neepawa in exchange for the rights to a young forward named Brent Wold. Washburn spent the 2010/2011 season as a backup to Wendell Vye in Neepawa before being traded to Selkirk where he backed up Joey Rewucki for the remainder of the year. In the meantime, Wold made the team out of training camp that year and went on to lead the club in scoring during his rookie season with 68 points. He chipped in with 16 points during the playoffs, helping the team to a Turnbull and Anavet Cup, earning himself Anavet Cup MVP honours in the process. This season, Wold once again led the team in scoring and has proven to be one of the brightest young stars in the MJHL.

2. Acquiring forward Riley Nixdorf from the Winnipeg Blues for forward Jordan Wilson and goaltender Mitch David.


Nixdorf was one of the most prolific scorers during the Blake Spiller era in Portage.
Photo courtesy of Dave Darichuk

In need of some added scoring punch prior to the 2007/2008 season, Spiller set his sights on Winnipeg Blues sniper Riley Nixdorf. It took 20-year-old forward Jordan Wilson and a good-looking prospect in Mitch David, but the Blues were finally willing to part ways with the young forward. Wilson never made an impact in Winnipeg, being traded to the SJHL's Melville Millionaires before finishing his career in the OPJHL with the Port Hope Predators. David tended goal for the Blues for over two seasons before being dealt to the Steinbach Pistons in his final year. His goals against average was never lower than 3.39. Meanwhile, Nixdorf became the straw that stirred the drink for the Portage offense. In his first season with the club, the Winnipeg native played alongside Mike Audino and Jeremy Dawes, putting up 89 points and helping the Terriers to a Turnbull Cup. In the deciding game against the Saints in that year's final, Nixdorf provided the game-winning goal. The next year, he finished his junior career playing on a line with Eric Delong and Donnie Glennie. Nixdorf would enjoy his best season point-wise, scoring 37 goals and adding 66 assists for 103 points to lead the team. He also provided the game-winning goal in game five of the finals that clinched a second straight Turnbull Cup for the Terriers. In total, Nixdorf played 120 games for the Terriers, putting up 192 points in that span.

1. Acquiring forward Donnie Glennie and defenseman Drew Ellement from the Winnipeg Blues for forwards Carson Rowat and Colton Kennedy.



Ellement accepts his Playoff MVP award from Commissioner Kim Davis.

 

Glennie (#21) fights hard for a puck in front of the net.
Photos courtesy of Dave Darichuk

Never has one trade proven to be so important for a playoff run. Glennie's veteran leadership was evident and the wily veteran provided 49 points in 44 games during the regular season. Ellement finished the year with 13 goals and 41 points but it was in the playoffs where the defenseman's star shone brightest. In one of the greatest playoff performances ever, Ellement scored a goal in every single playoff game, finishing with 17 during the Terriers 13-game postseason run that culminated in a Turnbull Cup championship. For his efforts, Ellement was named Playoff MVP. Rowat eventually found his way back to Portage at the trade deadline while Kennedy played just nine games in Winnipeg before being traded to the Fort Frances Junior Sabres of the SIJHL.

The Terriers have already made some key pickups this year, acquiring Shea Cooper from Estevan, picking up Tyler Larson and Connor Faupel from Neepawa and trading to get Justin Slobozian before the season started. We'll see if one of those deals can become the next great trade in the years to come.

The Terriers and Blues kick off the Addison Division final this Friday night at the PCU Centre. Game time is 7:30 pm.