Steinbach Pistons capture ANAVET Cup

(From MJHL twitter)

The Steinbach Pistons are your 2018 ANAVET Cup Champions.

The MJHL Champion Pistons defeated the SJHL-champion Nipawin Hawks 2-1 in Game 6 of their Best of 7 series on Monday night from the T.G Smith Center in Steinbach.

Brady Tatro (STEI) and fomer Wayway Wolverine Capain Wayde Johannesson (NIP) exchanged goals early in the game before Pistons' veteran forward Bradley Schoonbaert scored the game winner 6:35 into the 3rd period to seal the win.

Matthew Thiessen made 23 saves in the Steinbach net to earn the win while Hawks' goaltender Declan Hobbs turned aside 25 of 27 shots in the losing cause.

The Pistons now join Wenatchee Wild, Ottawa Jr. Senators, Wellington Dukes and the host Chilliwack Chiefs in the 2018 RBC Cup that begins this weekend in Chilliwack, BC.

Steinbach will open up on Sunday against the Wenatchee Wild.

Melville Prairie Fire (SFMAAAHL) name O'Brien new Head Coach

The Melville Prairie Fire of the Saskatchewan Female Midget AAA Hockey League have a new Head Coach.

The Prairie Fire have announced that 38 year old Casey O'Brien has their new bench boss for the upcoming hockey season.

O'Brien spent 6 and a half seasons with the Yorkton Terriers (SJHL) organization in many roles including Asst. Coach, Head Coach & General Manager before he was let go last October.

O'Brien takes over for Dean Amy who stepped down from the position after a number of years with the organization.

Melville Millionaires (WMBL) set to host 2nd annual "Field of Dreams" Banquet on May 26th

 

The WMBL's Melville Millionaires will be holding their 2nd annual Field of Dreams Banquet on Sat. May 26th in Melville.

The fun filled evening consists of cocktails, a supper, live and silent auction & also Guest speakers who are former Montreal Expo Steve Rogers (pictured above left) and former Toronto Blue Jay Jesse Barfield (pictured above right)

A limited number of tickets are available, but still have single tickets available for $60.00 each, a corporate table of 8 for $600, and a special VIP Corporate table open to the general public for $1000.00.



This VIP package include many great perks, a pre-banquet meet and greet, get up close and personal with the celebs, pics, limited memorabilia, VIP Corporate draws, drink specials, preferred seating and more!



For more information or to get your tickets contact Tammy at 306-720-0789.



I caught up with Mils President Darren Wandy to talk about the night and for a little preview of the upcoming WMBL season.

Locals selected in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft

4TH ROUND

D Aidan Brook (Roblin MB)

76th overall to the Seattle Thunderbirds

(3 goals, 18 assists for 21 points in 36 games with the Manitoba Bantam AAA's Parkland Rangers)



6TH ROUND



F Braeden Lewis (Virden MB)

114th overall to the Swift Current Broncos

(23 goals, 24 assists for 47 points in 28 games with the Manitoba Bantam AAA's Southwest Cougars)



7TH ROUND


F Colby Wotton (Foxwarren, MB)

136th overall to the Regina Pats

(24 goals, 24 assists for 48 points in 33 games with the Manitoba Bantam AAA's Yellowhead Chiefs)




8TH ROUND



F Jayden Wiens (Carrot River SK)

155th overall to the Saskatoon Blades

(17 goals, 19 assists for 36 points in 23 games with the SBAAHL's Northeast Wolfpack)




F Grady Lane (Virden, MB)

156th overall to the Spokane Chiefs

(22 goals, 20 assists for 42 points in 35 games with Manitoba Bantam AAA's Southwest Cougars)





G Zane Winter (Carlyle, SK)

160th overall to the Red Deer Rebels

(6-12 record and 3.25GAA in 23 appearances with the SBAAHL's Estevan Bruins)



12TH ROUND 


F Kyle Bochek (Moosomin, SK) 


254th overall to the Vancouver Giants


(14 goals, 9 assists for 23 points in 26 games with the Notre Dame Bantam Hounds)

Wadena and New Zealand make International Softball Partnership

Wadena and New Zealand have a new found link through the sport of men's softball. 

The New Zealand Softball Academy will be coming here on Saturday, June 16 to play a double header against the Rosebud Royals starting at 4:30.  Also, in February, the local Bantam team will be travelling to Auckland, New Zealand to play in a tournament during the first weekend of their trip.

The following weekend will see the boys head across the Tasman Sea to Australia to play in a tournament in Sydney, Australia.

In both countries, the local boys will be playing against softball academies, schools set up with softball as a focus.

The boys will be playing under the name "Saskatchewan Junior Canadian Royals" and will feature players from Wadena, Foam Lake, Kelvington, Rose Valley, Archerwill and Shellbrook.  The team will continue practice throughout the winter at indoor ball facilities in Saskatoon and Prince Albert.

Both teams are extremely excited for the opportunity to play one of the world's powerhouses in men's softball and look forward to representing our area.

(Submitted)

The ANAVET Cup is now down to a Best of 3

The Nipawin Hawks evened up the ANAVET Cup a 2-2 on Wednesday night with a 5-2 home ice win over the Steinbach Pistons in Game 4.

Branden Arnold (pictured above) led the way for the Hawks with 2G 2A while Yorkton's Brett Harasymuk, Josh McDougall and Michael Grant also scored for the home team.

MJHL Defenceman of the year Darby Gula scored both goals for the visiting Pistons.

So the series is now down to a Best of 3 with Game number 5 set for Friday once again in Nipawin. Then the series would shift back to Steinbach for Game 6, and if necessary Game 7 on Monday & Tuesday night. 

Steinbach takes ANAVET Cup series lead after road win in Game 3 in Nipawin

The Steinbach Pistons got a goal and 2 assists from Bradley Schoonbaert (pictured above) to lead them to a 6-2 win over the Nipawin Hawks in Game 3 of their ANAVET Cup series.

Brady Tatro and Drew Worrad had 1G 1A also for the Pistons who got single markers from Daniel McKitrick, Easton Bennett and Austin Heidemann.

Hawks' veterans Logan Casavant and Carter Doerksen replied late for the Hawks.

Matthew Thiessen was once again solid making 23 saves in the Steinbach net to earn the victory while Hawks' netminder Declan Hobbs turned aside 27 shots in the losing cause.

So the Pistons' have now won two straight game to take a 2-1 series lead in the Best of 7 match-up with Nipawin hosting Game 4 tonight (Wed) from the Cage.