As the lights switch on for the 2026-27 MJHL season, the Portage Terriers are poised to compete for top spot in a tough MGEU East Division.
Fresh faces led the way for the Terriers in 2025-26, and there will need to be another new cohort of players to take over this season. Terrier rookie sensation Trevor Hill led the MJHL in goals (40) and all rookies with 66 points on route to the rookie of the year award. If it wasn’t for Hill, fellow newcomer and linemate Drayden Uhrina would have been a strong candidate with his 56 points as a 16-year-old. The Terriers’ lineup was top heavy with Hill, Uhrina and Rhett Platt scoring most of the points. The next closest forward was Hunter Dingman with 27. Defenseman Owen Witt was a rock on the blue line putting up 36 points and being named the MJHL Defenseman of the year.
The Terrier crease was a topic of conversation throughout the season. Donavan Bodnar and Ryan Velan started the season before Velan was dealt early in the year and then ultimately brought back after Christmas. Due to injuries, the Terriers added Logan Cunningham before the playoffs and ended the season with three 20-year-old goalies on the roster.
The Terriers finished fourth overall in the standings, but third in the MGEU East Division. This put them up against the second place Steinbach Pistons in the first round. Cunningham got the nod in game one and picked up the Terrier’s only win of the playoffs. The Pistons went on to win the next four games and take the series.
Final Roster from 2025-26
Forwards
Rhett Platt Trevor Hill Drayden Uhrina
Edward Knittig Adam Belzil Breck Hirrschoff
Hunter Dingman Justin Deschenes Ben Bugeaud
Dexter Materi Markus Knaub Jonah Lemoine
Declan Siwicki
Dylan Russell
Defense
Dylan Karran Owen Witt
Beck Bethard Daine Dellezay
Parker Seymour Lucas Bailey
Ben Albers
Tyler Kendall
Goalies
Logan Cunningham
Ryan Velan
Donavan Bodnar
Graduation
The Terriers had eight 20-year-old players who are graduating from junior hockey: Adam Belzil, Donavan Bodnar, Logan Cunningham, Breck Hirrschoff, Edward Knittig, Rhett Platt, Ryan Velan, and Owen Witt.
Moving On
Trevor Hill – Tri-City Storm (USHL)
Drayden Uhrina – (WHL Tryout)
Dylan Russell – (WHL Tryout)
Beck Bethard – Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL Tryout)
Ben Albers – Vernon Vipers (BCHL Tryout)
Trades
Wyatt Warner – The Portage Terriers have acquired F Wyatt Warner (06) from the Cornwall Colts (CCHL) for a player development fee.
Matthew Campenella – The Terriers have traded for F Matthew Campanella (06) from the Burlington Cougars (OJHL) in exchange for a Player Development Fee.
2026-27 Outlook
With so much turnover in junior hockey, the main stabilizing force of an organization is the general manager and coaching staff. Blake Spiller remains at the helm of the Terriers heading into his 21st season as head coach. Paul Harland remains the assistant GM, Robby Moar and Brock Trotter are back on the bench as assistant coaches and alumni Jason Kasdorf is goalie coach.
The Terriers have 12 returning players, which is a similar number to most years. The main question is “who will provide the scoring”? None of the remaining players had more points last year than Hunter Dingman with 27. Dingman found chemistry in the playoffs with Justin Deschenes and Ben Bugeaud and they could be a potential veteran line to start the season.
A good portion of the Terriers’ blueline remains in tact, and will be led by veterans like Dylan Karran, Daine Dellezay, Lucas Bailey and Parker Seymour. Mitch Kathler is a familiar face who is back between the pipes, and he is joined by Dane Gillis, who was brought in during the off season.
The Terriers start the regular season on the road in Neepawa on Saturday Sept. 19. They then host the Titans on Sunday Sept. 20 at 6:30pm for the home opener.
Players to watch
Matthew Campanella – (5’11”, 185, F, 06) added in the off season via trade, Campanella brings four seasons of junior “A” experience to the team. Last year with the Burlington Cougars (OJHL) he put up 33 points in 43 games.
Markus Knaub – (6’1”, 187, F, 10) a local forward, Knaub was called up as an underage player for 4 games last season and three times in the playoffs. He had 47 points in 24 games last season with the Rink Hockey Academy U17 Prep team. He comes from a hockey family with his brother Michael playing for the Terriers in 2015-16 and brother Victor suiting up for Selkirk and OCN.
