The Portage Terriers added veteran experience to their roster yesterday ahead of the CJHL’s Dec.1 cutdown deadline. All teams needed to be down to a maximum of 25 players or less by 5 p.m. Teams are now limited in their ability to add and trade players until the final January 10th deadline when rosters need to be at 23 players.
The Terriers have traded D Tyler Dodgson (04) and F Brandon Funk (05) to the Winnipeg Blues along with future considerations for F Jack Kaiser (02) and D Matt McLeod (02). Other moves included:
- D Jacob Ziegler (04) has been traded to the Selkirk Steelers for the MJHL rights to G Donavan Bodnar (05).
- F Jamie Valentino (02) has been traded to the Dauphin Kings for F Blake Boudreau (03) and future considerations.
- the team added D Tayem Gislason (03) from the Red Deer Rebels (WHL).
Departing Players
Tyler Dodgson started his junior “A” career as a 16-year-old with the Terriers in the abbreviated 2020-21 season. Over three seasons he put up 28 points in 75 games.
Brandon Funk was drafted in the third round (29th overall) by the Terriers in 2020. He made the club as a 16-year-old last season and has 22 points in 69 games over the two years.
Jacob Ziegler started the season with the Terriers and put up 3 points from the blue line in 11 games.
Jamie Valentino was brought in during the off season from the Estevan Bruins. The Thompson product had 4 points and 59 penalty minutes in 12 games.
“Dodgson, Funk and Ziegler are young players who are going to be very good players for their new teams,” says Terrier head coach and GM Blake Spiller. “They were all excellent people in our community and will be missed. With hosting this year, we felt we needed to add some veteran pieces to our organization and are excited to add Kaiser and McLeod.”
New Additions
Jack Kaiser (6’3, 205) has played parts of three seasons for his hometown Winnipeg Blues. He has started to catch fire this season recording 23 points in 26 games. “He is a big forward with skill, so he will help our offense,” says Spiller.
Matthew McLeod (5’10, 185) started his career in Winkler before moving over to the Blues for his 17-year-old season. The reliable defenceman has 19 points in 23 games this year. “McLeod is a defenceman who can play in all situations,” says Spiller.
Donavan Bodnar (6’0”, 161), who is from West St. Paul, is property of Portland in the WHL and currently playing with Seven Oaks of the MMJHL.
Blake Boudreau (5’11”, 181) played for the Georgetown Raiders and Caledon Admirals of the OJHL last season before moving over to the Dauphin Kings this year. He has put up 8 goals and 10 assists in 20 games. “He is a skilled forward who can make plays, so will be a very nice addition to our forward group,” says Spiller.
Tayem Gislason (6’2, 176) played 6 games for the Winnipeg Freeze before playing 23 games for the Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) in the shortened 2020-21 season. He played a full season with them last year before being moved to Red Deer this season. “He is a big solid defender with WHL experience who will be a steady influence on our blue line,” says Spiller.