Portage Terriers

The Portage Terriers continue to trim their roster for the upcoming season, as they announced the trade of forward Nathan Lenoski to the Dauphin Kings this morning.

Lenoski joined the Terriers before last season, coming over in a trade with the Winnipeg Freeze for defenceman Darien Schaan, and third-round draft pick and future considerations. 

Lenoski would put up 25 points in 43 games, while missing some time to injury, and played in all five playoff games.

The Portage Terriers iced a more veteran lineup in their third preseason game, with the lineup getting close to being solidified for the

After 20 minutes, both teams battled to a dead-even 0-0 score. Neepawa led in shots, but Terrier netminder Jacob Armstrong made a couple of dandy saves to keep the Titans off the board. The Terriers would kill off a 5-on-3 powerplay in the late going of the period to preserve the tie.

The rain and cool conditions didn't keep over 100 attendees off the course at the Portage Golf Club for the Portage Terriers' fifth annual Geno Romanow Par Three Challenge.

Terriers Marketing Director Cody Buhler says that despite the weather, the event went very well.

"I think the rain to start, and pretty much throughout, put a bit of a damper on spirits, but for the most part actually, everybody overall was having a lot of fun, had a good time and tried to make the best of it."

Buhler notes that sponsors always play a massive role in this tournament.

The Portage Terriers got a hat-trick out of Evan Lachimea in their last game against the Neepawa Titans on Wednesday, September 11, but expect that they'll have some reinforcements coming into the team's next game.

Portage will face off with Neepawa for the second time this preseason on Saturday, September 14, at Stride Place. Portage and Neepawa have met in the preseason several times over the course of the last few seasons, and Portage, in the previous three exhibition schedules, has a record of 5-1 (W-L), as well as taking the 'W' in their first preseason matchup this year.

The Portage Terriers are continuing a recent trend of having their captain be a returning defenceman, with the team announcing that Parker Scherr will be named the captain for this season.

Scherr was acquired from the Olds Grizzlys on September 22, 2022, for Future Considerations, which has worked out tremendously for the Dogs, as Scherr quickly established himself as a threat at both ends of the ice. 

Head Coach and GM of Portage, Blake Spiller commented in a press release from the Terriers that the decision was not very difficult.

The Portage Terriers annually open their preseason with a game specifically for players who have not seen the ice in the MJHL before, and had their all-rookie game on September 10.

The first goal is often a sign of how the game will go. However, that was not the case in the Terriers' first preseason game of the year.

Jack Perrier scored the game's opening goal on a nice pass from Tristan Gravenor. The pass came through the slot and he and tapped home a goal through the legs of the Virden netminder.

Wednesday, September 4th

American Association
West Division
Sioux Falls 5 Winnipeg 0
(1st game in best of 3 semifinal)

With hockey season a lot closer than many want to believe, the Portage Terriers are preparing by increasing awareness of the need for billet families. Without these families, the team would not be able to operate.

Every year, players from across the country, and even from the USA, meet their teammates for the first time at Stride Place. From there, they also meet the family that will host them for the winter as they play with the Terriers.

Changes keep coming for the Portage Terriers. The latest change will see a new face behind the bench, joining Blake Spiller's staff.

Brock Trotter has played hockey across the world, and after stepping into a coaching role last season with the Virden Oil Capitals, has joined the Terriers bench.

Another domino has fallen in the Portage Terriers commitments this summer.

Daniel Siso has committed to Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan this fall.

Siso notes that joining Calvin will give him the opportunity to do something he never got to do in his youth.