The Swan Valley Stampeders are hoping a strong second half last season can carry over into the 2026-27 Manitoba Junior Hockey League season.
With training camp set to begin this weekend, Director of Player Personnel Darren Webster says the off-season was a busy one as the Stampeders looked to replace several graduating players and those moving on to the CHL in the likes Trace Langan and Crosby Harrison.
“We need to bring in the next generation of talent to come in to replace our 20s that we had to graduate and move on,” Webster said.
Much of the recruiting focused on the forward group, but Webster is also excited about the experience returning on the blue line.
The Stampeders return most of their defensive core from last season, with Wiley Smith and Karson Connelly expected to once again handle big minutes.
“That was a real strength to our season,” Webster said of the defence.
Swan Valley also returns both goaltenders from last season, giving the team some stability between the pipes with Easton Falls and Samuel Bastien
“We had two rookie goaltenders last year that did exceptionally well,” Webster said. “They’re such good friends together and push each other.”
Offensively, the Stampeders will be looking for several returning players to take another step.
Ben Groome and Jake Giacobbo are entering their third seasons with the team, and Webster expects both to have big years after battling injuries early last season.
“We expect a big year for Groome and Giacobbo,” he said. “Both came in very healthy right now and we’re expecting in their 20-year-old years to put up big numbers.”
Ryder Woods is another player Webster believes could be in line for a breakout season.
“He’s going to be really elevated to an offensive role and going to be big on the power play,” Webster said. “For us, we see a big breakout season for him.”
But while there are plenty of reasons for optimism, the Stampeders know they need to avoid another slow start.
Swan Valley has finished strongly over the past few seasons, but slow starts have put the team behind the eight-ball in the playoff race.
“Our starts are going to be critical,” Webster said.
That will be especially important this year as the Swan Valley community looks for something positive following a difficult summer of flooding.
The flooding affected several billet homes, with the Stampeders losing roughly seven or eight beds because of the damage.
“It’s been a different summer. There’s a lot of devastation with the floods and the valley has been affected,” Webster said.
Now, the Stampeders are hoping hockey can provide the community with a much-needed release.
“Hopefully hockey season can be that release,” Webster said.
Training camp will be the first step as Swan Valley looks to turn a strong finish last season into a strong start this time around.
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