A different narrative but the same result. The 2016/17 Portage Terriers entered the playoffs as an underdog but emerged as a champion. Despite the team losing two of the best Junior A players in Canada (Brad and Shawn Bowles), two NHL draft picks (Dean Stewart and Nick Henry), and both goalies (Nathan Park and Josh Bykowski), they won their third straight Turnbull Cup making team history in the process.

The Terriers finished the regular season below their point total from the previous two seasons but still came fifth with a record of 37-19-4. A bright spot during the year was the breakout of Jeremey Leipsic. He lead the MJHL in scoring with 100 points, took home the Hockey Ability and Sportsmanship award, was a first team All star and was runner-up for CJHL forward of the year. Chase Brakel was nominated for league MVP and made the second all star team, and defenseman Layne Toder made the all rookie team.

In the playoffs the Terriers peaked at the right time, upsetting Selkirk, Steinbach, and OCN each in six games en route to their third straight trip to the Western Canada Cup. The goaltending duo of Kurtis Chapman and Brock Aiken stepped up when needed and Portage had major contributions from Chase Brakel (team playoff MVP), Josh Martin (league playoff MVP), Mackenzie Dwyer, Riley Thiessen, and Ty Barnstable. At the WCC in Penticton BC the Terriers won their first game but lost the next three and missed the playoffs.

 

The players stroked out are not returning for 2017/18

Left wing               Centre                  Right Wing

Jeremey Leipsic    Chase Brakel        James McIsaac

Ty Enns                 Ty Barnstable        Josh Martin

Jared Roy              Ryan Sokoloski    Turner Santin

Scott Mickoski       Takato Cox           Ryan Hendrix

 

 

Left Defense         Right Defense

Riley Thiessen       Mackenzie Dwyer

Cody Thompson    Layne Toder

Carter McMurdo    Kain Stevenson

 

Goaltenders

Kurtis Chapman

Brock Aiken

 

Aidan Buhler

Brendan Kochanski

Nick Doyle

Spencer Kuhlman

 

Graduation

The Terriers will be losing four players due to graduation; Josh Martin, Riley Thiessen, Ryan Hendrix, Carter McMurdo

 

Moving On

Takato Cox –Connecticut Jr. Rangers (NCDC)

Spencer Kuhlman - University

Ty Enns - Bismark Bobcats (NAHL)

Layne Toder - Calgary Hitmen (WHL)

 

Trades

 Kurtis Chapman was traded to Alberta in a three team deal that saw Portage acquire forward Daniel McKitrick from the RBC Cup Champion Cobourg Cougars. Click here for full trade details.

 

 

 

2017/18 Outlook

 

With a strong core of returning players like Chase Brakel, Jeremey Leipsic and Ty Barnstable the Terriers are optimistic heading into the new season. Portage is excited to add local players Joey Moffatt and Reilly Funk along with experienced forwards Turner Ripplinger, and Daniel McKitrick. Cody Thompson, Cole Oliver and Mackenzie Dwyer will solidify the back end, and Brock Aiken will be between the pipes once again.

  

New Players to Watch

 

Joey Moffatt – (01, 5'10” 188lbs) The Portage Terriers have had success over the past few years introducing 16 year old players to their lineup (Layne Toder, Nick Henry, Dean Stewart) and they hope Moffatt is no different. The local goal scorer is the son of former Terrier Shane Moffatt. Joey put up 60 points in 40 games last season for the Central Plains Midget Capitals and was named league MVP.

 

Reilly Funk – (00, 6'3” 190lbs) Another Portage product with MJHL bloodlines; His dad Kelly Funk played in goal for the team in the early 90's. Reilly is coming off a successful season with the Central Plains Midget Capitals, where he recorded 48 points in 44 games. The competitive forward looks to use his size to make an impact.

 

Turner Ripplinger – (98, 5'10” 165lbs) Acquired in the off-season in a three team trade, the responsible forward plays well at both ends of the ice. He won a BCHL championship with the Penticton Vees and made it all the way to the RBC Cup. The Regina Saskatchewan product posted 8 points in 45 games with the Vees.

 

Daniel McKitrick – (97, 5'6” 148 lbs) The veteran forward won a national championship last season with the Cobourg Cougars. Even though the Coral Harbour Nunavut product is small in stature, he has speed to burn and will be a tough for opposition defenses to cover. He put up 26 points in 22 games with Cobourg in the regular season and eight more in the playoffs.

 

Cole Oliver – (97, 5'10” 185lbs) The Portage Terriers acquired Oliver at the 2017 trade deadline for Jordan Thomson (96). He brings a veteran presence to the Terriers and looks to be a big part of the back end.