Latest Sports

The Parkland Bantam Women's Rangers have started their season at the Showcase in Winnipeg.

And that means that Dauphin's Allee Hrechka has started her season.

The 13-year-old will be on this year's squad.

"I'm just really happy to be on this team," said Hrechka. "It's great that there is a team at this level."

After the team's first game against the Titans, Hrechka and the rest of the team will hit the ice twice more this weekend.

Allee knows the team has plenty of ladies that can score, but she has a goal of her own.

"We have some really good girls on the team, but I know if I can score we'll have more success," she added. "It should be a pretty fun challenge playing against the top bantam women in the province."

"It's all about working extremely hard and I can never stop skating," said Hrechka. "I'm pretty sure everyone on the ice has the same mindset that we need to work hard."

Making the Rangers this year is no doubt a memorable feat for Allee. But, last season may go down as the highlight of her young hockey career to date.

"I played with the Ice Dogs last year and we only won two games all season long," added Hrechka. "Then we went to the Provincial Championships, and we almost won the gold medal. That was pretty special."

 When you talk about personal success, it comes as no surprise that Allee will now represent the Parkland on the regions only AAA team. Her brother Garrett Hrechka plays on the Midget AAA Parkland Rangers. So it's safe to say that the Hrechka's are taking the Parkland by storm.

"I always looked up to my brother," added Hrechka. "I've always wanted to be just like him. It's pretty cool that we're both playing AAA."

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Oct 5, 2018 - 2:12 pm

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are without a doubt coming off their best performance of the season.

They smashed the Edmonton Eskimos last week 30-3. Now things aren't getting any easier on the team tonight.

They'll take on the Ottawa Redblacks in Ottawa. Ottawa (8-5) leads the East Division and can clinch a playoff spot with a win.

The Bombers (7-7) meanwhile can jump up into sole possession of third place in the Western Division with a win.

Winnipeg will be looking to redeem themselves against the Redblacks. The two clubs met back in Week 10 at Investors Group Field and it was an embarrassing effort for the Blue & Gold.

Ottawa won that game 44-21 as Trevor Harris threw for 361 yards.

All season long, the Bombers have been a team that can beat the teams lower in the standings. After last week's decisive win, maybe the Bombers are finally ready to show their for real. 

No matter what happens, you can hear all the action right here on 730CKDM as we're a proud member of the Blue Bomber Radio Network. Kickoff is set for 6:30 from Ottawa.

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Oct 5, 2018 - 11:56 am

For the first time in her young hockey career, Hailey Hojnocki is ready to play some AAA hockey.

The 13-year-old will suit up for the Parkland Bantam Women's Rangers when they begin their season this weekend.

"I'm definitely pretty excited," said Hojnocki. "I've never really played at this level before so it's a new experience."

"It's going to be a lot of fun to play with a bunch of girls my age," she added. "I'll make some new friends and make it a great year."

Hojnocki and the rest of the Rangers will play three games this weekend at the Bantam Showcase in Winnipeg.

They kick off their action this afternoon at Bell MTS Iceplex against the Titans. That's followed with a game against the Twins tomorrow. On Sunday, the Rangers play the Interlake Lightning to finish their tournament.

"I think our goal this weekend is to stay competitive out there," said Hojnocki. "I mean obviously we want to win. We're just going to give it everything we have, and we'll see how it goes."

"I'd say my goal this weekend is to find a way to get on the scoresheet," she added. "Whether that's a goal or an assist. I just want to make a difference out there and help the team succeed."

Sure this is Hailey's first competitive tournament at the AAA level. But that sure doesn't mean she's nervous or anything like that.

"I think I'm going to be pretty cool, calm and collected," she added. "I don't really get nervous with hockey. I'm just going to have fun and make the most of every minute the team has together."

With this tournament featuring the top young women's hockey players in the province, it's not only a good chance for the entire team to develop and gain chemistry, but it also gives Hailey a chance to work on her individual game.

"I definitely want to work on my shot going forward," Hojnocki. "Something I want to continue doing is playing aggressive. I find I'm at my best when I'm being aggressive out there."

Keep it right here on 730CKDM for more player profiles throughout the day and season for the Parkland Bantam Women's Rangers.

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Oct 5, 2018 - 9:49 am

It’s a short one, but the Dauphin Kings are set to go for their longest homestand of the season so far. 

The Kings will welcome the Selkirk Steelers to Credit Union Place for the next couple of nights. 

The two teams hooked up last Friday and it was an absolute battle. 

After going down 2-1, the Kings tied it up with just over 1:30 left as Jacob Evans scored his first of the season. 

But, it ended up not to be. Selkirk scored the winner on the power play with just 7.2 seconds left. 

Since that game, the Kings have went 1-2. They’ve lost to Steinbach and Swan Valley, with their win coming against Winnipeg. 

Tonight will likely be another night that will give the Kings a chance to get things going with the extra man. 

The Kings (3-3) are 1-19 on the PP this season. 

After these two games, the Kings will once again hit the road beginning with a tilt against Neepawa on Wednesday. 

The game will mark George Kings home debut in the regular season for the Kings. He missed the clubs home opener as he served a suspension. 

All the action gets underway at 7:30 tonight from Credit Union Place.

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Oct 5, 2018 - 6:00 am

It was a couple of great efforts, but the Dauphin Clippers boys and girls soccer teams seasons are over. 

The ladies advanced to the Zone Championship final today but dropped a tough 3-2 decision to Swan River. 

On the men’s side, the Clippers also fell to Swan River in the final.

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Oct 4, 2018 - 11:47 pm

The Parkland Midget Rangers are coming off a season in which they missed the playoffs.

This year, they'll be looking to get back into the post-season, and if they want to have a chance, the squad will look for big things from veteran Colby Cherneski.

The 17-year-old from Roblin is now three games into his final season with the Parkland Midget Rangers. After those three games, the Rangers are 1-2.

"I think we've gotten off to an okay start," said Cherneski. "We've run into a couple very tough teams in Brandon and Yellowhead. I mean, I think we could've won that game against Yellowhead but they just ended up outworking us."

Cherneski is one of only a few third-year players on the Midget Rangers. There are only a few players on the Rangers team that are 17. That means Colby is in more of a leadership role this season.

"I think me being a 17-year-old this year puts a lot of responsibility on myself to sort of lead the team this year," added Cherneski. "It's important for me to show the rookies the way and guide them through."

And just like the team needs a good performance from him, Colby has given them that exact thing. In the team's three games, Colby has two assists.

"I think right now I'm playing with a lot of confidence out there," added Cherneski. "I think that's allowing me to make better plays out there. I'm a lot calmer and it just seems a little easier than in the past."

"I'd say going forward though, I really want to put the puck in the back of the net more often," he added. "I mean getting an assist is great, but at the end of the day, scoring a goal just feels better." 

At this point, Colby isn't trying to focus on what happens after this season. But, he knows he doesn't have a junior team spot locked up, and that's what he ideally wants.

"I guess there's some added pressure being my last year in the league," he added. "But I mean it's still super early in the season. I'm just trying to enjoy every single second here and have fun. And hopefully, I can keep putting up points, and make a good impression on a junior team."

Playing three years with the Midget Rangers, Colby has had lots of opportunities to make great memories with the team. Of those, this one's his favourite.

"One for sure was taking the Winnipeg Wild to overtime last year," he added. "We lost, but it was definitely something special to take them to OT."

Now the Rangers are set to embark on their first extended road trip of the season.

They'll play the Winnipeg Thrashers and Eastman Selects this weekend.

"We have to get a lot more pucks on net because we've struggled with that in the first three games," added Cherneski. "If we get a lot more pucks on net, it'll be super beneficial for us."

Colby and the rest of the Rangers are back at Credit Union Place on Saturday, October 13 and 14.

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Oct 4, 2018 - 1:51 pm

His hockey journey started in the Parkland, and it's just taken off from here.

Gilbert Plains Tyler Jubenvill played two seasons in the Parkland Rangers system. Then he began his junior hockey career with Winkler and spent two seasons there.

Last season he then went to play in the United States Hockey League with the Cedar Rapids Roughriders.

Now, for the next few years, Jubenvill will be playing NCAA Division One hockey with Bemidji State University. The 18-year-old and the rest of the team have been hard at it for the last month prepping for the upcoming season that starts this weekend.

"Things have been going well so far," said Jubenvill. "Been here for just over a month and we've just been practicing and getting set. The practices have been good, but after a month straight of practices, you're always ready to finally play a game. I'm excited for this weekend for sure. It should be a lot of fun."

During his time last year with Cedar Rapids, Tyler got the chance to play with some of the top junior players from around North America. Now, he'll play with some of the top collegiate players from around North America and some will be a few years older than him. With that, it's safe to say the pace has picked up.

"The biggest thing I've learned so far is it's a lot quicker," added Jubenvill. "There's also a lot of systems. Obviously, on the power play and penalty kill, but also just for breakouts and that sort of thing. It's a lot to learn, but I feel that I'm getting a pretty good grip on it."

This weekend's game will be just an exhibition game before the real party gets going next weekend. As he gets set to play his first college game, Tyler's just trying to keep it loose.

"I'm not trying to think about that too much," he added. "I just want to go out there and play my game and hopefully it all works out. I know it's going to be a step up from the past, but I'm looking forward to it."

"Everyones been treating me really well here, and the vets have been helping me out a lot," he added. "I'm getting an education and playing the game I love at a very high level, it doesn't really get any better. It's just about making the most of everything."

Tyler and the rest of the Beavers begin their conference schedule next weekend with a home and home against North Dakota. They'll play 18 regular season home games which includes an outdoor game against Michigan Tech.  

In the pre-season, the club was ranked in the fifth spot in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association division. 

"I think we have a pretty great team here," said Jubenvill. "And, I want to help out any way I can. I'm pretty happy with where my play is right now, so I just want to get out there and help the guys out."

"I just want to be in that lineup every single game," he added. "I'm not worried about points or anything, I just want to be out there."

The Beavers home opener is next Friday. 

"I hear our crowd is crazy especially during home openers," added Jubenvill. "There should be over 5000 people out there, so it'll be pretty crazy to play in front of that."

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Oct 4, 2018 - 10:10 am

The Dauphin Kings led by two, but they just couldn't hold off the Swan Valley Stampeders offence tonight in a 5-3 loss. 

After a scoreless opening 20, the Kings busted out of the gates in the second. 

Just :21 seconds in, Riley Shamray forced a turnover in the Stamps zone and fired it top shelf to put the Kings up 1-0.

At 2:50 of the period, Carter Sawchuk scored his third of the season to put the Kings up 2-0. 

The Stamps then fired right back. 

They scored at the 7:49 mark and 11:42 mark to tie the game up. 

Nakodan Greyeyes put the Kings back in the lead at the 12:16 mark off a shot that handcuffed the Stamps goalie. 

From there, it was all Swan Valley. 

They tied it up to end the second at 3-3.

In the third, they scored two more to pick up the 5-3 win. 

Dauphin returns to the ice on Friday when they take on Selkirk.

More:

Before the game, Kings goaltender Brennan Kitchen was named a Runner-Up for MJHL Goalie of the Month in September.

And, Carter Sawchuk was named a Runner-Up for MJHL Rookie of the Month in September.

Photo Credit - Dauphin Kings.

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Oct 3, 2018 - 10:14 pm

He's a veteran in the league, he's a veteran with the Dauphin Kings and now he's one of the team leaders.

Riley Shamray was named one of the team captains for the upcoming season.

"It's an absolute honour," said Shamray. "The Kings are such a great organization with a very rich history. It's such a great feeling to be named one of the captains."

Shamray has played 95 games with the Kings in his junior career. In those 95 contests, he's recorded 47 points. He's not worrying about it all, but this season will be Riley's final in Dauphin. He will age out of junior hockey after the campaign.

"It's been an absolute blast here in Dauphin," added Shamray. "I've had nothing but fun here. It's a great group of guys, great billets and just city overall. I've enjoyed every minute of it."

In five games this season, Shamray and the rest of the Kings are 3-2. That's included two wins on the road. Last year the Kings won just seven games away from Credit Union Place. 

"It's been a pretty good season overall so far," said Shamray. "I mean we had a tough one in Steinbach. It could have gone either way in Selkirk and we could be 4-1. We've been playing pretty good and fast, so hopefully, we can keep it up."

With still nearly the entire regular season to go, Riley will have lots of time to make new memories this year. But, he's already made some and that speaks to how close this group has become.

"I'd say just getting to know the new guys and being back with ones from last year," said Shamray. "And of course, it's been great to get back to winning hockey games here."

"Everyone in the dressing room is just so determined," he added. "With Doug back, it's just a new look on everything. It's been great to be around a group of guys who are willing to do what it takes to win hockey games."

Through five games this season, Shamray has two points. Going forward, he'd like to rack up as many points as possible, but his ultimate goal really comes down to one thing.

"Of course I want to get as many points as possible," said Shamray. "But, I just want our group to be able to get two points everytime out. That's really what matters."

After tonight's tilt against Swan Valley, the Kings are back on the ice at Credit Union Place on Friday evening. That's when they welcome Selkirk to town for a two-game weekend series. Why should you head down to the games? Riley says it plain and simple. 

"You should come to check out the new Dauphin Kings," added Shamray. "We have a new look and we're a new team."

Tonight's game at the Centennial Arena is set for 7:30. Hear it right here at 7:15 with the Parkland Source for Sports pregame show.

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Oct 3, 2018 - 2:08 pm

The Bantam Parkland Rangers are ready to do things for real.

They'll begin their regular season this weekend at the AAA Bantam Showcase in Winnipeg.

"The pre-season went very well for the guys," said Tom White, Head Coach. "The guys are super motivated to get the season going."

The Rangers played six tune-up games, and they ended up going 4-2. That included their most recent win against Yorkton over the weekend.

"The guys are playing pretty much at the top of their game for the start of the season," added White. "We're all just waiting for the season to get started. It should be a fun one."

Offence was the name of the game for the Rangers in the pre-season. In the six games, the team tallied 25 goals. On the defensive end, the Rangers allowed 23. In four of the games, the team allowed four or less.

"We definitely have a lot of speed out there," added White. "Pretty much every guy out there can play with some speed and that creates offence."

"We have to work on our defensive zone coverage going forward," he added. "But I mean that's always a work in progress with any team to sharpen up defensively."

The Rangers will play three games this weekend. First up they play the Winnipeg Sharks on Friday. That's followed with a game against the Interlake Lightning on Saturday and Brandon Wheat Kings on Sunday.

After that, the Rangers will play their first home game of the season on Saturday, October 13 at Credit Union Place. That goes at 1:00 p.m.

"Come out and take a look at the future stars out there," added White. "There is a lot of potential for the kids out here. Things are looking great."

Tom also notes he's really enjoying coaching this club. "I've really been enjoying it," added White. "It's going to be a very exciting year for the guys. We're going to have lots of success because the guys all work super hard."

Stay tuned here to 730CKDM for everything Bantam Rangers all season long!

Details

Contributed by Darnell Duff

Published: Oct 3, 2018 - 10:23 am