September 30, 2026: MANITOBA’S ROSTER
I previously pointed out that there were three departures and one addition after recruiting looked over. I thought that more names might have been added, but the roster looks like it is stuck at 24, for now at least. Since the post From July 14th is getting old, I will repeat the career totals for recruits in this post.
Goaltenders:
Returning:
30 Matthew Kieper G (3-3-1, 3.72 GAA, .882 S%)
31 Braden Holt G (8-9-2, 3.57 GAA, .897 S%)
Arrivals:
34 Justin Perreault G – Spokane Chiefs (WHL), Winnipeg Blues & Dauphin Kings (MJHL)
➤ WHL: 0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 S%
➤ MJHL: 9-10-0, 3.67 GAA, .893 S%
Departures:
34 Cole Plowman G (1-1-0, 2.99 GAA, .864 S%)
The Bisons lost Plowman, their #3 goaltender. His stats were comparable to those of Holt and Kieper. He had just two starts. His replacement was supposed to be Austin Dubinsky. However, after the home exhibition games against Regina, Perreault’s name surfaced and Dubinsky’s name vanished. The goaltending last year was roughly league-average, and should be about the same this year. Kieper and Holt each went the distance in the home exhibition games, and Perreault did likewise in the Friday away game. There were no stats available for last Saturday’s 9-8 win, but my guess is that they would not be flattering.
Defencemen:
Returning:
6 Kaycee Coyle D (22-4-6-10)
4 Ben Bonni D (27-1-9-10)
22 Tanner Willick D (26-1-4-5)
3 Sam Borschowa D (27-1-4-5)
8 Evan Toth D (24-0-4-4)
27 Zach Turner D (13-1-1-2)
Arrivals:
28 Liam Longo – D – Toronto Patriots (OJHL)
➤ OJHL: 150 GP, 8 G, 48 A, 56 Pts
Departures:
13 Luke Brenton D (28-3-15-18)
5 David Bielik D (1-0-0-0)
The loss of Brenton will be felt. He was the team’s best defenceman last year. He has now gone from the ECHL to the CW to the NCAA in consecutive seasons. The Herd has just seven blueliners, below the eight or nine they usually have. That said, their 8th defenceman from a year ago (Bielik) only dressed for the one game. Forward Nolan Chastko moved from forward to defence for an extended stint in the WHL, so perhaps he figures in to the depth chart. I wouldn’t mind seeing a big ol’ Manitoba farm boy arrive in camp.
Forwards:
Returning:
21 Dawson Pasternak F (27-6-19-25)
17 Skylar Bruce F (27-10-14-24)
24 Lucas Brennan (27-10-9-19)
9 Eric Alarie F (26-9-9-18)
20 Caden Zaplitny F (28-4-11-15)
23 Grady Lane F (28-4-4-8)
11 Joel Purdom F (4-0-0-0)
Arrivals:
13 Erik Pastro – F – Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL)
➤ BCHL: 161 GP, 47 G, 65 A, 112 Pts
14 London Hoilett – F – Virden Oil Capitals (MJHL)
➤ WHL: 175 GP, 25 G, 19 A, 44 Pts
➤ MJHL: 57 G, 32 G, 26 A, 58 Pts
15 Teague McAllister – F – Alberni Valley Bulldogs (BCHL)
➤ BCHL: 60 GP, 22 G, 19 A, 41 Pts
➤ AJHL: 83 GP, 16 G, 26 A, 42 Pts
16 Noah Lodoen – F – Toronto Patriots (OJHL)
➤ OJHL: 148 GP, 34 G, 53 A, 87 Pts
18 Nolan Chastko – F/D – Everett Silvertips (WHL)
➤ WHL: 131 GP, 16 G, 33 A, 49 Pts
➤ MJHL: 108 GP, 50 G, 48 Pts, 98 Pts
19 Brandon Funk – F – Spruce Grove Saints (BCHL)
➤ MJHL: 159 GP, 51 G, 54 A, 105 Pts
➤ BCHL: 74 GP, 18 G, 20 A, 38 Pts
➤ NAHL: 33 GP, 4 G, 10 A, 14 Pts
29 Hayden Wheddon – F – Niverville Nighthawks (MJHL)
➤ WHL: 54 GP, 4 G, 5 A, 9 Pts
➤ MJHL: 154 GP, 63 G, 78 A, 141 Pts
➤ MMJHL: 3 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pts
Departures:
18 Jonny Hooker F (28-10-11-21)
14 Blake Swetlikoff (28-6-8-14)
26 Andrew Boucher F (18-2-7-9)
28 Codey Behun F (24-3-2-5)
19 Jackson Arpin F (26-3-2-5)
29 Michael King F (28-2-2-4)
25 Ethan Dekay F (9-1-3-4)
16 Mitchell Joss F (6-0-1-1)
12 Cameron Trimble F (1-0-0-0)
10 Miguel Bouvier F (3-0-0-0)
Of the new recruits, Hoilett and Wheddon join Chastko with some WHL experience. They went back to Junior A for an OA season. Of the departures, Hooker was 1st or 2nd line, Swetlikoff was 3rd line at the end of season, Behun, Arpin, and King were checkers, and Boucher was in-and-out of the line-up. Dekay, Joss, Trimble, and Bouvier combined for one goal and not a lot of ice time. I would guess that the recruits should be able to exceed the output of the departed players.
LINK: http://’https//www.eliteprospects.com/team/2159/univ-of-manitoba?tab=stats%27
