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A photo of the Portage Terriers bench during a game in the 2023-24 season. (Photo credit: Portage Terriers/portageterriers.com)
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A photo of the Portage Terriers bench during a game in the 2023-24 season. (Photo credit: Portage Terriers/portageterriers.com)
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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*

* indicates the player is 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.”

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