Hockey has a way of bringing people together, and the Portage Terriers are witnessing that first-hand.
Jacob Michelson, a Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan product, largely appeared out of the aether to slot into the Dogs lineup on opening night in Neepawa and quickly became a favourite in Portage, due to his consistent effort and work ethic on every shift.
He shares his thoughts on coming out and living in Portage
"It's been really good. This is my second year away from home. Obviously, your nervous at the start of the year a little bit, moving to a new house, but I've enjoyed every second of it, and the community's really welcoming."
Not very long after joining the team, Michelson says he was approached by Head Coach Blake Spiller about making a trip into Winnipeg, where he picked up Adam Belzil from the airport.
Michelson and Belzil spent the 2022-2023 season together at Prairie Hockey Academy in Caronport, Saskatchewan. The pair noted that their season together was one of the best years they had each played.
"It's a really good program in Sask. The only reason I'm here is because of that program and my parent's sacrifices. We played our Grade 12 year, U18 Prep, together, and it was one of the best years of hockey ever, I think Adam could agree to that. We had a really good team, and a really close team too, so that's how we grew our friendship."
Belzil adds that knowing he had a former teammate in Portage made coming here easier.
"It's awesome, familiar faces just make you more comfortable in the room, and then on the ice, you have someone to talk to. Out of the rink too, it's good."
Another more recent acquisition, Caleb Lepitre was a member of the 2022-2023 team, and says being back with the guys was an exciting feeling.
"It was really welcoming to come in and see guys that I've been with before back at Prairie (Hockey Academy), so it was really nice to get back with those guys and be on the ice with them again. It definitely helped with the whole coming-to-a-new team, knowing some of the guys I've known before, so it made it a lot easier transition, that's for sure."
Lepitre adds that he and Belzil spent a lot of time together at the academy, including
"Me and Bez (Belzil) were on a line for most of the season, actually. We stayed in the dorms together too, so we were right across the hallway from each other, so it was nice, and real tight with that group. Michy (Michelson) was from Moose Jaw, so he lived with his family, but still got together, we did lots of team stuff, so it was fun playing with Bez, we had a little PHA line going for a little bit too. We'll see if that gets back."
Wyatt Dreger was also a member of the Prairie Hockey Academy as part of the U17 Prep team at the time, creating a unique quartet of players that have banded together in Portage with the Terriers.