October 1, 2026: SASKATCHEWAN’S ROSTER
This is my second-last roster preview of the CW. Just the Bedrock Dinos remain. The recruitment report from July 14, 2026 also sees changes.
Goaltenders:
Returning:
30 James Venne G (0-0-0, 0.00 GAA, 1.000 S%)
31 Nolan Maier G (6-2-0, 2.98 GAA, .889 S%)
32 Bryan Thomson G (6-2-0, 2.35 GAA, .916 S%)
Arrivals:
None
Departures:
30 Jordan Kooy G (7-3-2, 2.86 GAA, .902 S%)
It is rare to see a team with zero newly recruited goaltenders. However, Maier was a late-season recruit last year and was vaulted into the number 1 role. He did well, and more so in the playoffs, but all-in-all was not really an upgrade over Kooy, the perennial all-star who has now graduated.
Defencemen:
Returning:
3 Landon Kosior D (28-4-25-29)
6 Rhett Rhinehart D (26-5-10-15)
2 Cole Jordan D (24-4-8-12)
7 Logan Bairos D (25-2-8-10)
4 Ben Saunderson D (18-0-10-10)
22 Mac Gross D (8-0-2-2)
12 Eric Johnston D (6-0-1-1)
Arrivals:
5 Logan McCutcheon – D – Quinnipiac (NCAA)
28 Morgan Tastad – D – Penticton Vees (WHL)
Departures:
28 Gunner Kinniburgh D (16-1-4-5)
9 Ty Prefontaine D (12-0-4-4)
25 Karter Prosofsky (6-0-2-2)
Three returning goaltenders is unusual, but seven returning defencemen must be a national record. Especially when those with the top-five ice times are included amongst those returnees. One would have to presume that the defence will be a strong point.
Forwards:
Returning:
15 Carter Stebbings F (27-13-10-23)
18 Chase Bertholet F (22-8-10-18)
10 Liam Keeler F (26-8-10-18)
27 Raphael Pelletier F (26-5-10-15)
19 Josh Pillar F (23-6-5-11)
23 Ben Tkachuk F (26-1-5-6)
26 Braxton Buckberger F (7-3-0-3)
20 Keaton Sorensen F (16-1-2-3)
21 Ashton Ferster F (10-0-1-1)
Arrivals:
8 Alex Bernauer – F – Red Deer Poly (ACAC)
9 Tyler Parr – F – Saskatoon Blades (WHL)
11 Logan Pickford – F – Victoria Royals (WHL)
13 Braden Nienaber – F – Battlefords (SJHL) & Whitecourt (AJHL)
14 Tyson Yaremko – F – Portland & Red Deer (WHL)
29 Jaydon Dureau – F – Norfolk Admirals (ECHL)
Departures:
11 Chantz Petruic F (26-18-19-37)
14 Conner Roulette F (28-15-20-35)
16 Dawson Holt F (28-14-21-35)
17 Cade Hayes F (25-5-9-14)
13 Ethan Regnier F (22-4-5-9)
29 Jarrett Penner F (20-2-2-4)
8 Zackery Somers (4-1-2-3)
5 Quinton Ong (1-0-0-0)
The only area where the Banjo-Mutts risk a backwards step this year is amongst their forwards. Petruic, Roulette, and Holt all had way more points than the rest of their line-up. They are losing 59 goals. The recruits are unlikely to replace all of those goals. Elite Prospects previously announced a recruit whose name is not on this roster, namely Jaeden Mercier, a forward from Lindenwood (NCAA).
Links here: https://forums.hfboards.com/threads/2026-27-manitoba-bisons-cw.3030122/post-207032805