With the 2025/26 season quickly approaching, Deloraine Royals general manager Dustin Howden is looking forward to having the team back together, and representing the community on the ice.
"Always passionate about the local senior hockey team," Howden says with a big smile. "We've had lots of good players from the region, and from elsewhere that have played for us. We always enjoy playing hard, and doing the best for the community."
Roster wise, Howden says things are looking familiar and solid. "We're going to be looking a lot the same as last year. Last year, a bunch of the older boys aged out, and a lot of new kids came in, so we're in the midst of a bit of a rebuild right now. But, we're looking forward to the year. We really started to come on toward the end of the year last year, guys were learning the senior game a little bit, so we're looking for more of the same. Should be a good time."
One part of the team identity that Howden wants to carry over is what he believes will make them successful. "I think defending and physicality, they were the things that really started to come along for the guys. Kids, some were just coming out of U18 and high school, now you're playing against men. Guys, they're learning that some of these old boys in the league can still play, they know how to make ice for themselves and their teammates. We had to learn how to defend better, and when you do that, you're able to score a few more goals. We do have young talent, some fire power, but for us, it's about managing the puck and getting it back when we don't have it."
A big point of pride for anyone wearing a Royals jersey is representing the community of Deloraine, an important thing for Howden. "It means a lot, there's a lot of pride. I mean, I wear a Royals logo as a tattoo on my leg. Everywhere you go, you represent your community. There's a lot of pride in that, in trying to do the right thing. It's something we try and ask the guys to do, as well. The community supports us very well, and helps us out financially. All they want is for the guys to come out, work hard, and enjoy themselves playing the game they love."
When it comes to expectations, Howden says he has a goal in mind. "Always optimistic, but realistically, if we get to .500 hockey this year, considering we were well below that last year, that would be a good, good step for us. Building on pride and doing the little things right for our squad, and hopefully that translates to more wins as we go. We're young, and there are some good teams out there in the league. At the same time, if we all come together, we should be able to make some noise, and have some fun doing it."
The Royals family is a close knit one, and Howden says it's made even more special as it continues to grow. "It's unreal," he says beaming. "I'm at the age where I'm starting to see my teammates that I played with at the rink again with their kids. It's pretty neat that way. Once a Royal, always a Royal. Good catching up, and it's funny, when you meet at the rink, it's like time never passed."
Howden says getting on the ice soon is a priority. "We're going to go for a skate at the start of October in Brandon. We'll get the legs going, and meet the new recruits who are coming out, cause they talk about coming out, but you don't have them 'till you have them. Hopefully, our ice in town is in by mid-month, and we can skate more often."