The Terriers have traded 20 year old defenceman Kevin Pochuk to the Winnipeg Blues for 19 year old Forward Ezra Hall and future considerations. Winnipeg born Hall is a 6’6, 200 pound forward with skill. In 52 games with the Winnipeg Blues in the 2014/15 season, Hall scored 12 goals and had 13 assists for a total of 25 points.
The Portage Terriers will open their 2015/16 season on the road in Virden on Friday, September 25th as the Manitoba Junior Hockey League released their 2015-16 schedule on Monday. The National Champs will play 6 of their first 10 games at home. The Terriers 60 game regular season schedule will once again be a balanced schedule with 29 home games and 29 on the road. The extra 2 games will be played on October 2nd and 3rd as part of the MJHL Showcase being held at the MTS Iceplex. The Terriers will play OCN and Virden. You can find the full schedule HERE.
Come down to the PCU tomorrow Wednesday June 24th to renew or purchase your season tickets!!! The ticket prices remain the same as last season: Adult Pass – $290 Senior Pass – $230 Student Pass – $175 Kids Pass – $100
I know it’s hard to think about hockey with summer just starting, but it’s time again to renew your season tickets for the 2015/16 season! Roy Towle will be on hand at the PCU on the following dates from 7-8:30pm to help you renew your seats. July 15th August 12th August 26th We also have RBC Cup Championship Shirts for sale in the Terriers store. Sizes ranging from S-XXL for $25.
Have you ever thought about being a billet? Are you wondering what a billet is? It’s never easy for a young man when he leaves home for the first time. The Portage Terriers are well aware of that, as they have been helping young hockey players adjust to ‘ hockey life ‘ for many years. Part of the experience of playing in the MJHL for the first time is having to get used to new experiences, a new city and a new environment. Our billet families play a vital role in that and are a large part of our organization. We have been very fortunate to have many families in the area act as billets for our players for many years. We want to make our players comfortable from the day they first get here, and having nice family environments for them to stay in while they are in Portage is a real plus for our team and for the players. These surrogate families develop tremendous relationships with their players, taking them into their own families while they play for the Terriers. Many of these relationships last for years, even after the players junior careers are over and they have moved on with life inside or outside of hockey. This fall we are in need of new billet families. If you are interested or have any questions please contact our Marketing Director Heather Jordan at heather@portageterriers.com or call 204-857-7380.
Roy Towle will be on hand from 7-8:30pm to renew your season tickets on any of the following evenings at the PCU Centre; July 15th August 12th August 26th Can’t make those dates, you can renew your tickets at the Terriers store in the PCU lobby Monday to Friday from 9-3 pm. Occasionally they are in a sales meeting, feel free to call ahead first 204-857-7380. We can’t wait to see you at the rink!
Last night was the Annual General Meeting for the Portage Terriers. There was a great turn out! The meeting started off with presentations made to the Club from the Terriers alumni Grant Farncombe, John Hewitt and Colin Scarrett. The alumni was able to raise $9000 for the club as well as $2000 for PMHA through their fund raising efforts at this year’s RBC. President Trent Ward and Director John Ferg accepted the cheques on their behalf. The Portage Ladies Auxiliary also made a presentation to President Trent Ward for $6000 for new jerseys. Co-chair of the RBC Dave Patsack talked about the success of the RBC and presented the team with an additional $15,000. Even though not all the numbers are in for the RBC, Patsack seemed confident that they surpassed their goal of $100,000. President Trent Ward thanked all the groups for their fund raising efforts and continued support. Coach Blake Spiller was on hand to talk about the face of the Terriers going forward. There has been some movement, but details will not be revealed until the trades are finalized with the Commissioner. He also spoke of the graduating players who are going on to University this upcoming season. Zach Waldvogel has committed to The University of Guelph Matt Alexander has committed to Lakehead University Jordyn Boyd has committed to The University of Manitoba Eric De Long will not be returning to the coaching staff this season and taking his spot will be Ken Brooks. Spiller was still uncertain if Jim Tkachyk will be staying on as goalie coach. Dale Deschouwer the teams Governor confirmed that the balanced schedule will continue for another 2 seasons. The league is also working together to make the MJHL more uniform throughout. Treasurer Mark Killam went through a 5 page financial statement which saw the teams revenues increase from last year, but also saw an increase in expenditures with a season that was roughly 2 months longer than the last. Overall the team showed a deficit on the year of $34,660. Killam said the board will be meeting shortly to go over this season’s budget and they will be going through it line by line to see where they can cut spending. Last to speak was President Trent Ward recapping the Terriers record breaking season of 53-3-4 regular season, sweeping the playoffs in 12 straight games with an overtime loss in the Western Canada Cup final, finishing up with a National Championship in front of our sold out arena. He thanked the RBC committee for all their work in putting on an amazing event that will be tough to follow and the countless volunteers that gave their time to make it so. The meeting concluded with Director elections. This year saw 5 directors terms up for renewal, Dale Deschouwer, Trent Ward, Michael Jordan, Josh Black and John Ferg. There were 4 new nominees, Brad Sanderson, Donna Wettlaufer, Colin Scarrett and Ryan Simpson. John Ferg respectfully declined to run again. The voting members re-elected Dale Deschouwer, Trent Ward and Michael Jordan and elected new directors Ryan Simpson and Colin Scarrett. Josh Black and John Ferg as well as resigning director Ed Gray were thanked for their contribution to the Club.
Coming on the heels of 3 announcements at the Terriers Annual General meeting; Zack Waldvogel to the University of Guelph Matt Alexander to Lakehead University Jordyn Boyd to the University of Manitoba Two more graduating players from the RBC Champion Terriers plan for their futures in the sport. Landon Peel will be attending the University of Regina donning a Cougars jersey, while Garick Gray will be joining fellow teammate Alexander at Lakehead University. The Terriers organization is proud of all our players that are moving on with their hockey careers and education. We wish them all the best!
Back by popular demand we will once again be hosting the Portage Terriers Annual Golf Tournament as a Par 3 Challenge at the Portage Golf Club. Come and try your luck at 18 par 3’s for a chance to win some great prizes. The Challenge is a best ball format. $125/golfer includes power cart and dinner to follow at the PCU Centre catered by Champ’s Corner. Come out and meet this year’s Portage Terriers!!! Please contact Heather Jordan at heather@portageterriers.com or call 204-857-7380 to register.
In preparing for the upcoming season the Terriers have made some trades. Veteran goalie Justin Laforest has been traded to the Surrey Eagles of the BCHL for 95 D Jordan Wiest and 96 F Quinn Lenihan and future considerations. The Terriers then traded Wiest to Battlefords North Stars of the SJHL for 95 D Brock Weston. The Terriers also trade Lenihan to the Fort Frances Lakers of the SIJHL along with future considerations for 95 G Nathan Park and 96 F Dylan Kooner. When the dust settles the deal for Laforest brought in a 20 year old goalie in Park, a 20 year old defenceman in Weston and a 19 year old forward in Kooner. While the St.Albert native Park comes to us from the SIJHL Fort Frances Lakers, he played his 2013-14 and part of his 2014-15 season for the Steelers. Park played 19 games with the Lakers and put up a .931 save percentage. Coach Spiller likes the familiarity of Park having played against him and is happy to have him. He has battled some injuries over the past year, but is healthy and ready to go. The 6’0” Weston to Portage from the SJHL Battleford North Stars. Spiller describes the Maidstone, Sk native as a big steady defenceman who will bring experience to the line-up. Dylan Kooner played 56 games last season for the Fort Frances Lakers putting up 8 goals and 37 assists. Described as a quick forward who can put up points, Kooner is a welcome addition to the Terriers this season.
