The Portage Terriers are hungry to start the new 2024-25 season after being bounced from the playoffs in the first round this Spring. The only consolation from an early playoff exit was the fact it was at the hands of the eventual league champions, the Winkler Flyers.
The Terriers started 2023-24 slowly with a roster full of new faces after competing in the Centennial Cup the year before. The team struggled to find consistency and didn’t win more than two games in a row until mid December. In a tough East division, Portage finished the season in third place behind Steinbach and Winkler.
Slade Stanick led the Terriers with 51 points and linemate Gabriel Laflamme was right behind with 50. At the trade deadline Portage added size to the blue line with the return of Ashton Fishley and the acquisition of Aidan Brook. Jayden Catellier was the go-to guy between the pipes finishing the year with a record of 23-9-1, .917 sv% and 2.46 GAA.
The playoffs were a tough physical battle with the Flyers. After splitting the opening two games, Terrier netminder Jayden Catellier went down with injury in game three. Gavin Renwick stepped into the lineup but wasn’t able to slow down the tough Flyers squad.
Final Roster from 2023-24
Forwards
Decker Mujcin Nolan Nenow Matthew Biros
Slade Stanick Gabriel Laflamme Alyandro De Leon
Cam Bullinger Parker Korman Daniel Siso
Nathan Lenoski Adler Johnston Mighton Johnson
Rhett Perrin
Jesiah Bennett
Defence
Tayem Gislason Parker Scherr
Ashton Fishley Aidan Brook
Grand Dardis Owen Witt
Jonny Ballos
Goalies
Jayden Catellier
Gavin Renwick
*The players stroked out are not returning
Graduation
The Terriers had eight 20-year-old players who are graduating from junior hockey: Aidan Brook, Jayden Catellier, Ashton Fishley, Tayem Gislason, Parker Korman, Gabriel Laflamme, Daniel Siso, Slade Stanick.
Trades
Matthew Biros – The Portage Terriers have traded F Matthew Biros (05) to the Devon Xtreme (AJHL) for a player development fee.
Gavin Renwick – The Portage Terriers have traded G Gavin Renwick (05) to the Virden Oil Capitals for a player development fee.
Alyandro De Leon – The Portage Terriers have traded F Alyandro De Leon (04) to the Weyburn Redwings (SJHL) for a player development fee.
Nathan Lenoski – The Portage Terriers have traded F Nathan Lenoski (04) to the Dauphin Kings for a player development fee & future considerations.
Moving On
Mighton Johnson – TBD
Jesiah Bennett – TBD
2024-25 Outlook
Continuity will be important for Portage with nine returning players. “Our returning players came back in good shape and are excited to get the season going. As with every year we had some holes to fill and it’s up to the players we brought in to find their place in the lineup,” says Terrier head coach and GM Blake Spiller. “Our team will have to bring a consistent work ethic in order to be competitive.”
Goaltending will be something to keep an eye on with no returning netminders. Portage will have a new face behind the bench with assistant coach Brock Trotter. Added to the staff from the Virden Oil Capitals, Trotter has an extensive hockey background including time spent playing in the NHL, AHL and professionally in Europe.
Players to watch
Scott Cousins – (5’11”, 170, F, 04) Brought in from the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL, Cousins spent parts of three seasons with the Kelowna Rockets (WHL). “His WHL experience and ability to play in all situations will be key for our team,” says Spiller. Cousins is from the same city as returning veteran Decker Mujcin.
Parker Scherr – (6’3”, 220, D, 04) Named captain at the start of training camp, Scherr enters into his third season as a Terrier. “He will be relied on to log plenty of key minutes and bring leadership and a physical presence.”
Nolan Nenow – (6,2”, 185, F, 04) A returning forward, he finished last season 5th on the Terriers with 40 points in 56 games. “He will also be counted on to play in all situations and we are looking for his offensive numbers to increase.”