For the first time in six years, the Portage Terriers operated in the black.

The organization announced a net profit of $74,788 for the 2016-17 season at its Annual General Meeting June 26 at Stride Place, up nearly $100,000 from 2015-16 when losses of $25,335 were reported. Revenues increased to $815,321 compared to $792,515 a year prior, while expenses dropped to $740,533 from $817,850 in 2015-16.

“We've always been trying to control our costs and that's the major effect we had this year,” says Trent Ward, now past president of the board. “We controlled our expenses and that put us into the profit.”

NEW PRESIDENT ELECTED

Stan Killam was elected as the new president of the Portage Terriers board, taking over for Ward, who will remain on the board as past president. Killam has been on the board for the past six years, serving as V-P for the last two.

“I'm just looking forward to another successful year with our team,” Killam says. “It's a big year for us being the 50th anniversary.”

Other new board members elected include: Gary L'Heureux and Mike Panko. Outgoing directors are Ryan Simpson and Colin Scarrett.

HAPPY 50TH!

The team also unveiled new logos to be worn on jerseys and painted at centre ice in Stride Arena for the 2017-18 season, to celebrate its 50th anniversary. Killam says the Terriers will have new white jerseys this season brandishing the special anniversary-inspired logo. The hope is to have players wear them throughout the year and then auction them off at season's end.

HELLO, PAY TO PLAY

The Terriers were one of only two teams — along with the Steinbach Pistons — in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League to post a profit in 2016-17, Killam says. The league recently resolved to do what many other Junior A hockey leagues across Canada have been forced to adopt to ensure long-term feasibility: a pay-to-play model. Killam says the indication the Terriers board has received is the introduction of a $500 fee for all MJHL players beginning in the 2017-18 season.

“I don't think pay-to-play at this level is something parents will frown on, and it's something everyone will get used too,” Killam notes, adding the fees go directly to the league.

BRING IT ON, SASKATCHEWAN

As previously reported, the Western Canada Cup will not continue as the regional RBC Cup qualifier in 2017-18. Killam says the indication from the league is a return to a format — formerly known as the ANAVET Cup — where the MJHL champion plays a series against the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League champion for a berth in the Junior A national championship. There's no indication yet on the new name of the series. It will be played in a 2-3-2 format, with Manitoba's champion hosting the first two home games this season.