Portage Terriers

The Portage Terriers are furthering their reshuffle of the roster ahead of the 2023-24 season. The Dogs are bringing in 18-year-old defenceman Isaiah Arnold from the OCN Blizzard in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick.

The Saskatoon product spent last season with the U18 AAA Warman Wildcats and scored 27 points in 44 games. He added three assists in the playoffs and had just six penalty minutes all season.

Arnold was drafted 4th overall in the 2020 SJHL Draft and was selected in the 7th round of the 2020 WHL Draft.

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is just 30 days away from the regular season's opening puck drop. League commissioner Kevin Saurette says the offseason has sped by them as the league staff remained busy throughout the last few months. 

Gavin Klaassen is beyond grateful for his time in the City of Possibilities. The Ypsilanti, Michigan product came to the Portage Terriers midway through last season and scored six goals with seven assists in 29 regular season games.

Klaassen inquired about when he should be back in Portage, but instead, he found out the Terriers planned to go in a different direction this season.

The Portage Terriers continue to shuffle the roster ahead of the 2023-24 campaign. 

The Dogs acquired 19-year-old forward Nathan Lenowski from the Winnipeg Freeze in exchange for the MJHL list rights to defenceman Darien Schaan, a third-round draft pick in 2024, and future considerations.

Lenowski was the leading scorer on the Freeze last season, with 41 points in 47 games. He was named the Rookie of the Year for his hometown team last season and will look to bring his offensive prowess to Portage.

The Calgary Hitmen have brought in a new assistant coach. Don MacGillivray will be the newest right-hand man to head coach Steve Hamilton in Calgary as they look to bring the Hitmen back to the promised land.

MacGillivray believes this is a great landing spot.

Gavin Klaassen went through some of the highest highs and lowest lows that can come at a hockey rink last season in Portage, but now, he will be taking his talents back to the United States for the 2023-24 season.

Klaassen was traded to the OJHL's Buffalo Junior Sabres, with the Portage Terriers receiving future considerations in exchange.

Forward Ryder Johns has committed to play for the Portage Terriers next season. The 19-year-old played his first year of junior hockey last season for the Victoria Cougars in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League. 

Johns scored ten goals and dished out ten assists over 44 games during his rookie season. He also added two playoff goals and helped the Cougars make it to the semi-finals before they lost in six games. Both of Johns' playoff goals came unassisted, one being short-handed.

The Manitoba Moose's 2022-23 Rookie of the Year will return for another season. 

Portager Dean Stewart was brought back after impressing many in his first full year with the AHL club. The defenceman scored one goal and dished out 17 assists in the 2022-23 campaign and says he's very happy to be back in a comfortable situation.

The Portage Terriers are continuing to make roster moves as they prepare for the 2023-24 season. 

The latest addition to the squad is Prince George, British Columbia product Decker Mujcin, who was acquired from the Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL) for future considerations. The forward says he can't wait to get on the ice at Stride Place.

"I'm super excited. They have a winning culture there and just hosted the Centennial Cup," Mujcin continues. "I knew I was going to the right spot."

As summer nears its end, the Portage Terriers are gearing up for an exciting new hockey season in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. Despite the heat, the team is fully focused on making this season a memorable one. 

Die-hard Terriers fans should act fast to secure their season tickets. Cody Buhler, the Marketing Director, highlighted the perks of early purchase.