Canada’s National Men’s Team looks to remain undefeated in the preliminary round when it faces Slovakia on Saturday at the 2025 IIHF World Championship at Avicii Arena.

Last Game

Canada improved to 4-0 in Sweden with a 5-1 win over Austria on Thursday. The Austrians got on the board first, but the Canadians responded with five unanswered goals. Nathan MacKinnon scored twice and added an assist, and Travis Konecny and Will Cuylle had a goal and an assist each. Sidney Crosby scored, Brandon Montour set up three goals and Marc-André Fleury made 15 saves in his second start.

Slovakia earned its second victory on Wednesday with a 2-1 win over France. Martin Chromiak opened the scoring for the Slovaks midway through the second period. Mislav Rosandic scored the game-winner on the power play in the final frame and Samuel Hlavaj stopped 19 shots for the win.

Last Meeting

Canada and Slovakia faced off in the quarterfinals a year ago, with the Canadians recording a 6-3 win. The Canadians had a quick start, with Jared McCann and Pierre-Luc Dubois scoring within the first five minutes. Nick Paul scored twice—including an empty-net goal—while Dylan Guenther and Brandon Tanev rounded out the scoring, and Jordan Binnington made 18 saves.

What to Watch

Special teams have been a difference-maker for Canada through four games. It has yet to give up a goal while a man short, killing all nine opposition power plays. With the man advantage, the Canadians are 6-for-15, with Bo Horvat contributing half of those power-play goals. Nathan MacKinnon made quick work on the power play against Austria, scoring eight seconds into the man-advantage. His second goal came during a delayed Austrian penalty—Canada held puck possession for 2:15 before MacKinnon sniped his second goal of the game. The 29-year-old leads Canada with four goals and eight points, good for second in tournament scoring.

Slovakia has made the quarterfinals in three of the last four editions of Men’s Worlds. They have seven players under contract with NHL teams, including Samuel Honzek, who was selected 16th overall by the Calgary Flames in 2023. The 20-year-old spent the majority of his season with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers, recording eight goals and 21 points in 52 games. Goaltender Samuel Hlavaj is a Minnesota Wild prospect who registered a .904 save percentage and 2.85 goals-against average with the AHL’s Iowa Wild this season. The 23-year-old has made three starts in Stockholm, holding a 2-1 record with a .932 save percentage and 1.30 goals-against average.

A Look Back

Canada has won the last six meetings with Slovakia since 2024, and 14 of the 18 all-time meetings going back to 1996 when Slovakia returned to the Top Division after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia.

Although Canada has an advantage in goal differential, the Slovaks can keep these games close. In 2019, the Canadians edged Slovakia in a thrilling 6-5 win. The game appeared destined for overtime before Mark Stone—celebrating his 27th birthday—recorded the game-winning goal on a power play with 1.8 seconds remaining in regulation.

All-time record: Canada leads 14-2-2 (1-0 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 71
Slovakia goals: 43

After coming to Canada from Hong Kong as a young boy in 1973, Albert Wong was quickly introduced to the quintessential Canadian activity – hockey.

More than five decades later, the game still plays a role in Wong’s life – as a player, an official, a father and as a volunteer. Giving his time to national and international events in Calgary, Wong has had a front-row seat to more than one memorable Team Canada moment in recent years.

HockeyCanada.ca caught up with Wong on a break from his volunteer duties at the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, to ask him about giving back to the game.

HC: Which events – both hockey and not – have you volunteered for?

AW: My journey started when I volunteered for 2021 IIHF Women’s World Hockey Championship in Calgary. It was such a positive experience, so the next spring I was a driver for the TELUS Cup and Esso Cup in Okotoks. And just a few months later I got to be involved and watch at ice level the Hockey Canada summer camps for men’s and women’s teams at WinSport as a timekeeper. I was on penalty box duty and kept track of plus/minus at the 2024 World Para Hockey Championship, and I just started at the 2025 Centennial Cup as a driver. I have also been a league chair with Hockey Calgary for seven seasons.

I have also volunteered quite a bit in golf for the 2009 Presidents Cup in San Francisco, the 2012 U.S. Open in San Francisco, 2015 U.S. Open near Seattle and 2018 U.S. Open in New York.

HC: What’s your favourite volunteer memory?

AW: Definitely the 2021 Women’s Worlds in Calgary in 2021 when Canada beat the U.S. in overtime and we got to celebrate with Hockey Canada staff and other volunteers. It was a culmination of three weeks of volunteering and lots of great hockey. And of course it was Marie-Philip Poulin who scored in overtime. Those three weeks of driving, picking up officials, executives and even getting groceries seemed all worth it to watch an incredible gold medal game.

Also getting to volunteer on the golf course maintenance team at the U.S. Open golf championship at the Olympic Club in San Francisco in 2012 was also incredibly memorable. It is my career field, and to watch 50 staff and 140 turf managers volunteer from all over the world to get the golf course ready in two hours for the best golfers for a major championship was amazing. Being a golf fan, I got to see Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson amongst others at an iconic course steeped in tradition.

HC: Why do you volunteer?

AW: When I first started volunteering with the golf course maintenance crew in 2012, it was for a variety of reasons. I wanted to know firsthand what it took to get a golf course ready for a major championship. I also to network with turf grass managers from all over the world, which led to future volunteering at other U.S. Open courses in 2015 and 2018. This was my career and I could learn agronomic tips to bring back to the golf course I worked at in Calgary, so it was educational trip as well.

I like to help and I feel I am a small piece to the success of an event. I find it extremely rewarding. Being married to my wife Le for many years and watching her help her large extended family on a regular basis has shown me the incredible energy she has, and her constant giving has rubbed off on me.

When I signed up to volunteer for Hockey Canada events, it was also to be involved with the world’s best players and just be a fan. It is remarkable how fast the game has become, and to watch these great players do what they do in such little time and space. The skill and speed of the game is what I’ve always enjoyed, and it is fun to be a part of.

HC: How important are volunteers to the success of events?

AW: Volunteers are critical to the success of any event. It does take a lot of people to make it enjoyable. The people of Calgary are willing to give up their time to show off Calgary and all the great things that make this city world class, and I find lots of the same volunteers are at different events throughout the year as I converse with them during down time. There were over 3,000 volunteers at U.S. Open golf tournaments, and depending on the event run by Hockey Canada, probably 100-300 people willing to give up their time to make it successful.

HC: What would you say to someone who is thinking of volunteering?

AW: You should definitely volunteer if you have the time. Find out what interests you and what works with your schedule. There are lots of wonderful people you will meet. There are different areas to volunteer, so it is a great avenue to explore. I have always found it to be gratifying when I look back and say I was a part of that event.

HC: How has hockey played a role in your life?

AW: I took up hockey as an adult, and I am a goalie. I really enjoy trying to read the play and trying to stop people from scoring, and I’m still playing into mid-50s. My son Austin played minor hockey and I would help coach. Austin is entering his fifth year as an official and has moved up the ranks, and I just started officiating so hockey has been a huge part of my life and his.

A benefit of being a driver for Hockey Canada events is that I have driven some of the officials that fly in for these events and we get to talk about the officiating game and how they became an official.

HC: Why do you think hockey is so important to Canadians?

AW: Moving to Calgary from Hong Kong, watching hockey every Saturday night became regular television viewing for me and it is how I learned about the game and how it inherently is part of Canadian culture. I got to experience Canadian winters and outdoor rinks, and watch Hockey Hall of Famers every weekend. And that is very Canadian, which I think is amazing.

And I think there is such a love for Team Canada. We have been a powerhouse for many decades, although other nations are catching up. There is a sense of Canadian pride when we compete in international events.

Canada’s National Men’s Team has officially reached the halfway mark of the preliminary round as it prepares to face Austria on Thursday at the 2025 IIHF World Championship at Avicii Arena.

Last Game

Canada made it three wins in a row with a 5-0 shut out of France on Tuesday. Bo Horvat scored twice, and Will Cuylle, Brandon Montour and Sidney Crosby recorded their first goals of tournament. Jordan Binnington made his first appearance, stopping 15 shots for the shutout.

Austria is coming off a big 3-2 shootout victory over Slovakia for its first win. Peter Schneider and Marco Kasper gave the Austrians a 2-0 lead, but the Slovaks tied the game with just under 10 minutes remaining. Although Austria had a power play in overtime, they were unable to convert sending the teams to a shootout where Schneider notched the game-winner. David Kickert made 31 saves for the win.

Last Meeting

The Canadians earned a 5-1 win over Austria in pre-tournament action on May 4. Ryan O’Reilly opened the scoring early in the first period before Macklin Celebrini, Ty Ronning and Will Cuylle made it a 4-1 lead after 40 minutes. Tyson Foerster scored late in the third and Dylan Garand made 22 saves.

The last Men’s Worlds meeting came almost a year to the day and it was a wild one. The Canadians led 6-1 after 40 minutes thanks to goals from six different players, but the Austrians mounted a record comeback, scoring five times in the third period to force overtime. The extra frame didn’t last long; captain John Tavares ended it after just 15 seconds to give Canada a 7-6 victory.

What to Watch

With a big game against France, Horvat leads Canada in scoring with four goals and an assist, followed by Nathan MacKinnon and Travis Konecny with two goals and three assists each. The penalty kill has also been really strong; Canada has yet to give up a goal while a man short, killing all seven opposition power plays. And how about goaltending? Canada has had a different goaltender start every game so far, with Binnington, Marc-André Fleury and Dylan Garand combining to allow only one goal on 43 shots with two shutouts.

Austria finished 10th at Men’s Worlds last year—its best finish since 2003. Dominic Zwerger was the leading scorer for the Austrians in 2024 with two goals and eight points in seven games, and he’s back again this year on the national team. The majority of the roster plays at home or in Switzerland except for Kasper. The 21-year-old wrapped up his first full season with the Detroit Red Wings, recording 19 goals and 37 points in his rookie campaign.

A Look Back

This is the 14th meeting between Canada and Austria at Men’s Worlds, and Canada has won every matchup except for 2-2 tie in 2004.

Only three of the 13 meetings have come in the 21st century – the tie in 2004, the overtime thriller from a year ago and a 10-1 Canadian win in 2015 that featured points from 13 skaters, and two goals and two assists each from Matt Duchene and Jason Spezza.

All-time record: Canada leads 12-0-1 (1-0 in OT)
Canada goals: 75
Austria goals: 13

The preliminary round of the 2025 IIHF World Championship continues Tuesday as Canada’s National Men’s Team looks to make it three-for-three when it takes on France at Avicii Arena.

Last Game

Canada earned its second win in as many games with a 7-1 victory over Latvia on Sunday. Although the Latvians scored first, Canada responded with seven unanswered goals. Travis Konecny had two goals and an assist, Kent Johnson scored twice, and Macklin Celebrini and Barrett Hayton recorded their first goals of the tournament. Sidney Crosby had three assists and Marc-André Fleury earned his first career Men’s Worlds win with 16 saves.

France pushed Finland to its limit, but ended up falling 4-3 in overtime on Sunday. Kevin Bozon got France on the board first with a power-play goal, with Tim Bozon adding another with the man advantage midway through the third period for a 2-1 lead. Jordann Perret made it 3-1 with an empty-net goal with under three minutes to go, but the Finns rallied with a pair of late goals to force overtime before Juuso Parssinen ended it 84 seconds into the extra frame. Antoine Keller made 47 saves for France.

Last Meeting

Canada last played France in the preliminary round at the 2022 Men’s Worlds, with the Canadians earning a 7-1 win. Pierre-Luc Dubois led Canada with two goals and an assist. Dylan Cozens had a goal and two helpers and Drake Batherson pitched in with four assists. Chris Driedger made 18 saves and the Canadians outshot the French 44-19.

What to Watch

Travis Konecny and Nathan MacKinnon lead Canada with two goals and two assists each, leaving them tied for fifth in tournament scoring. Konecny had a strong pre-tournament with a goal and two assists against Hungary last week. The 28-year-old is coming off his best NHL season with 24 goals and 76 points with the Philadelphia Flyers. MacKinnon also had a strong season with the Colorado Avalanche, recording 32 goals and 84 assists for his third-consecutive 100-point season. Speaking to the talent on this team, at one point against Latvia of the Canadians put out a forward line consisting only of players selected No. 1 in the NHL Draft—MacKinnon (2013), Crosby (2005) and Celebrini (2024).

Special teams have been key for France through two games. The French are 2-for-3 on the power play and have yet to allow a goal on the penalty kill. As mentioned above, Keller was against Finland, making 47 saves. The 20-year-old netminder was selected by the Washington Capitals in the seventh round of the 2023 NHL Draft. He played in 13 games with Lausanne HC in the Swiss National League this year, posting a 5-5 record, 3.16 goals-against average and .894 save percentage.

A Look Back

Canada and France have played 15 times at Men’s Worlds, with Canada holding a clear advantage: 13 wins and a plus-70 goal differential.

Evident by their game against Finland, the French can certainly put up a fight against top teams. France’s most recent win over Canada came in 2014, a 3-2 shootout victory. In 2017, the Canadians came from behind for a 3-2 prelim win. Ryan O’Reilly scored in the first period and Claude Giroux tied the game in the last minute of the second before Marc-Édouard Vlasic won it for Canada early in the third.

All-time record: Canada leads 13-2
Canada goals: 92
France goals: 22

Fresh off a tournament-opening win, Canada’s National Men’s Team is back on the ice Sunday to face Latvia as the preliminary round continues at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.

Last Game

Canada opened its tournament Saturday with a 4-0 blanking of Slovenia. Special teams were key—Bo Horvat scored twice on the power play and Noah Dobson added a goal with the man advantage. Nathan MacKinnon recorded a goal and two assists. Dylan Garand made 11 saves for the shutout and Canada put 40 shots on Slovenia’s Lukas Horak.

Latvia opened its tournament Saturday with a 4-1 win over France. The French got on the board first, but Martins Dzierkals evened the score with a shorthanded goal and Kristaps Roberts Zile gave Latvia a 2-1 lead early in the third period. Dans Locmelis had two empty-net goals and Kristers Gudlevskis made 18 saves.

Last Meeting

Canada last played the Latvians in the semifinals at the 2023 Men’s Worlds, advancing to the gold medal game with a 4-2 win. The Latvians took a 2-1 lead to the third period, but Jack Quinn found the back of the net just 45 seconds into the final frame, Adam Fantilli scored the winner with 11:04 left and Scott Laughton finished things into an empty net. Sam Montembeault made 20 saves for the Canadians, who went on to win their 28th gold medal. Latvia, meanwhile, won a historic bronze medal against the United States.

What to Watch

The New York Islanders had a big impact on Canada’s first game, especially on the power play. Horvat and Dobson helped Canada go 3-for-7 with the man advantage. In his 11th season, Horvat recorded 28 goals and 57 points with the Islanders, including 10 points on special teams (3-7—10). On the blue line, Dobson registered 10 goals and 39 points in 71 games, 13 of those on the power play (1-12—13). Also, how about Macklin Celebrini? He had two perfect no-look passes against Slovenia, one to set up Dobson for his goal and the other to provide Kent Johnson with a fantastic scoring chance.

Latvia enters the tournament with a mix of youth and experience. This is the 13th Men’s Worlds for Kaspars Daugavins, who has served as captain in six of the last nine years and led the Latvians with four goals and seven points a year ago. Dans Locmelis is the youngest skater; the 21-year-old Boston Bruins prospect had eight goals and 33 points with the University of Massachusetts this year before joining the AHL’s Providence Bruins late in the season, adding three goals and 12 points in six regular-season games and one assist in the playoffs.

A Look Back

Canada and Latvia have met 15 times at the IIHF World Championship, with Canada winning 13 and tying one.

Historically, Canada has dominated the matchup, outscoring the Latvians 81-18. The last time they faced off in Sweden was all the way back in 2002, when the Canadians earned a 4-1 victory. Brad Schlegel opened the scoring in the first period, Andy McDonald doubled the lead in the middle frame and Richard Matvichuk and Eric Brewer rounded out the scoring.

All-time record: Canada leads 13-1-1
Canada goals: 81
Latvia goals: 18

Here we go. Canada’s National Men’s Team hits the ice Saturday to face Slovenia as it opens its quest for a record-extending 29th gold medal at the IIHF World Championship at Avicii Arena.

Last Game

Canada wrapped up its pre-tournament schedule Tuesday with a 6-0 shut out of Hungary in Budapest. Zach Boychuk and Porter Martone scored 1:18 apart to give the Canadians a 2-0 lead after the first period. Noah Dobson and Travis Konecny doubled the lead in the middle frame before Travis Sanheim and Macklin Celebrini rounded out the scoring in the third. Celebrini recorded a four-point performance, while Dylan Garand and Carter George combined for 14 saves for the shutout.

The Slovenians finished their exhibition slate with a 3-2 win over Kazakhstan on Tuesday in Uppsala, Sweden. Matik Török and Rok Kapel scored in the third period to help Slovenia come all the way back from a two-goal deficit. Filip Sitar had the other goal, getting the comeback started late in the second period.

Last Meeting

Canada last played Slovenia in the preliminary round of the 2023 Men’s Worlds, with the Canadians earning a 5-2 win. MacKenzie Weegar led Canada with a goal and two assists, while Jack McBain and Michael Carcone contributed a goal and a helper each. Devon Levi made 22 saves in net.

What to Watch

This Canadian team has a little bit of everything for fans. Captain Sidney Crosby is making his return to the tournament for the first time since 2015, joined by a fellow Nova Scotian, Nathan MacKinnon, and Ryan O’Reilly as alternate captains. There’s next generation up-and-comers, like Macklin Celebrini who recorded 25 goals and 63 points in his rookie NHL season with the San Jose Sharks. Between the pipes, Jordan Binnington is putting on the Maple Leaf again after a strong performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off three months ago. Finally, Marc-André Fleury will reunite with Crosby and make his IIHF World Championship debut after 21 NHL seasons.

A majority of the Slovenian players compete in the top pro league in their country (including 10 who helped HK Olimpija win the championship this season), but there are four young players who spent the 2024-25 campaign across the pond in North America. Nace Langus (Augustana University) and Sitar (University of Conneticut) compete in the NCAA. Jan Golicic—a fourth round pick by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2024—is a shutdown defenceman who had four goals and 31 points with the QMJHL’s Gatineau Olympiques, and fellow blue-liner Urban Podrekar put up 10 goals and 27 points with the OHL’s Flint Firebirds.

A Look Back

This will be the sixth meeting between Canada and Slovenia at Men’s Worlds, and the Canadians are undefeated through the first five.

The closest game was in 2013 (also in Stockholm)—the Slovenians held a 3-2 lead heading into the third period before Brenden Dillon tied the game with 13 minutes left and Steven Stamkos won it 3:36 into overtime for Canada.

All-time record: Canada leads 5-0 (1-0 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 29
Slovenia goals: 8

As the Junior A hockey season comes to an end, 16 officials – eight referees and eight linespersons – are gearing up for the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons.

The officials who will officiate Canada’s National Junior A Championship in Calgary are the top officials in their respective leagues across the country. All 16 have participated in the Hockey Canada Officiating Program of Excellence and were coached and evaluated throughout the season across the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL). Final selections were made jointly by Hockey Canada and the CJHL.

“These officials have all earned the opportunity to finish their season with a national championship,” said Dan Hanoomansingh (Vancouver, BC), manager of officiating with Hockey Canada. “It is a long season, but they have remained at the top of their game into the playoffs and will deservingly take the ice at the Centennial Cup.”

Referees

• Brayden Arcand (Hockey Alberta)
• Chris Ferreira (Ontario Hockey Federation)
• Alex Homer (Hockey Alberta)
• Yannick Jobin-Manseau (Hockey Quebec)
• Cianna Lieffers (Hockey Saskatchewan)
• Bob Millette (Hockey Saskatchewan)
• Wyatt Rapsky (Hockey Manitoba)
• Mason Stewart (Hockey Alberta)

Linespersons

• Josh Blondeau (Hockey Alberta)
• Kaden Fiacco (Hockey Saskatchewan)
• Devon Gale (Hockey Northwestern Ontario)
• Jacob Hicks (Hockey Alberta)
• Antoine Huot (Hockey Quebec)
• Matthew Lattimer (Hockey Alberta)
• Matthew MacPherson (Hockey Eastern Ontario)
• Dawson Wood (Hockey New Brunswick)

The officiating coaches for the Centennial Cup are Hanoomansingh, François Fortin (Chibougamau, QC) and Justin L’Heureux (Edmonton, AB).

The Grande Prairie Storm will be the only team competing at the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, that did not win a league championship on its way to Calgary.

The Storm got into the field by reaching the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) final, where they were unceremoniously swept by the Calgary Canucks.

But with the Canucks already among the 10 teams at Canada’s National Junior A Championship as host, Grande Prairie received the AJHL berth, giving it a second chance to hoist a trophy – the most important of them all.

When the playoffs got underway in Alberta in late March, the Storm were the No. 2 team in the North Division, 11 points behind the first-place Whitecourt Wolverines and able to muster only a .500 record over their final 10 games.

They were also set to face hottest team in the AJHL, the Lloydminster Bobcats, who finished the regular season on a nine-game win streak, three of those coming on the road against Grande Prairie.

But the Storm blitzed the Bobcats by a combined 15-5 in the first two games on home ice, held on for a 2-1 win in Game 3 and completed a rather unlikely sweep on Tomis Marinkovic’s overtime winner in Game 4.

The momentum carried right through their semifinal series with the Wolverines, with Chayse Laurie scoring just 17 seconds into overtime in Game 4 to complete yet another sweep.

When the Canucks finished a semifinal sweep of their own the following night, Grande Prairie was officially the first team to confirm its place at the Centennial Cup, its first trip back to the national championship since it played host in 2004.

Marinkovic (20-38—58) led a balanced offence that included four players with at least 40 points and three who surpassed 30. Max Leduc (6-10—16) was the catalyst in the playoffs, pacing a group of six players who averaged at least a point per game.

The Storm will look to become the first non-host team since the Thunder Bay Flyers in 1992 to win the national title without winning its own league.

HOW THEY GOT TO CALGARY

Alberta Junior Hockey League
Quarterfinal: defeated Lloydminster Bobcats 4-0 (7-3, 8-2, 2-1, 4-3 OT)
Semifinal: defeated Whitecourt Wolverines 4-0 (4-1, 2-0, 4-3, 6-5 OT)
Final: lost to Calgary Canucks 4-0 (3-9, 4-6, 4-7, 3-7)

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL): 30-17-7 (6th in AJHL)
Goals for: 209 (2nd in AJHL)
Goals against: 157 (6th in AJHL)
Power play: 51 for 228 (22.4% – 2nd in AJHL)
Penalty killing: 196 of 238 (82.4% – 5th in AJHL)
Longest winning streak: 6 (Oct. 25-Nov. 9)

Top 3 scorers:
• Tomis Marinkovic – 20G 38A 58P (6th in AJHL)
• Will Harris – 23G 25A 48P (20th in AJHL)
• Alec Hall – 19G 27A 46P (25th in AJHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 8-4
Goals for: 51
Goals against: 47
Power play: 14 of 41 (34.1%)
Penalty killing: 29 of 39 (74.4%)

Top 3 scorers:
• Max Leduc – 6G 10A 16P
• Kaiden Bugera – 2G 14A 16P
• Chayse Laurie – 5G 8A 13P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2004 – Grande Prairie Storm | 3rd place | 3-2 | 21GF 18GA

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

None

CJHL TOP 20 RANKINGS

Sept. 30 – 10th
Oct. 7 – Honourable Mention
Oct. 14 – 6th
Oct. 21 – 4th
Oct. 28 – 4th
Nov. 4 – 3rd
Nov. 11 – 3rd
Nov. 18 – 7th
Nov. 25 – 5th
Dec. 2 – 10th
Dec. 9 – 9th
Dec. 16 – 16th
Dec. 23 – not ranked
Jan. 6 – not ranked
Jan. 13 – not ranked
Jan. 20 – not ranked
Jan. 27 – not ranked
Feb. 3 – not ranked
Feb. 10 – not ranked
Feb. 17 – not ranked
Feb. 24 – not ranked
March 3 – not ranked
March 10 – not ranked

They were so, so close.

One year ago, the Melfort Mustangs won their way all the way to the championship game at the 2024 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons. Just a single win separated the Mustangs from immortality.

Noah Pak and the Collingwood Blues had other ideas.

Pak made 23 saves, and a power-play goal from Jack Silverman proved to be the game’s only scoring as the Blues captured Canada’s National Junior A Championship with a 1-0 victory.

Twelve months later and Melfort has reloaded for another shot at a national title in Calgary.

Thirteen players are back from the 2024 roster, although two skaters – Zac Somers and Tao Flory – combined to play just one game in Oakville, and goaltender Kristian Coombs got into just one in support of standout starter James Venne.

This time around, Somers led the Mustangs in playoff scoring (8-9—17 in 14 games) and Coombs is the unquestioned No. 1 between the pipes, posting a 1.33 goals-against average and .942 save percentage across 12 postseason starts.

Melfort cruised to the top of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) during the regular season, winning 46 of 56 games to finish 13 points clear of second-place Flin Flon.

The Mustangs led the SJHL in goals for (221), goals against (123), power play (25.0%) and penalty kill (85.3%), and put together a 17-game win streak from Nov. 13 to Jan. 4.

They were rarely tested in the playoffs, earning a five-game win over the Kindersley Klippers and a sweep of the Yorkton Terriers before winning the final four games of their five-game final against the Weyburn Red Wings to repeat as SJHL champions – with Coombs recording three shutouts. In all, they allowed only 19 goals in 14 playoff games.

Now comes a second chance at glory.

History is not necessarily on Melfort’s side; since the tournament went back to a one-game final in 1985, only two teams have lost in the final and won the national championship the following year – the Penticton Knights (1985-86) and South Surrey Eagles (1997-98).

HOW THEY GOT TO CALGARY

Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League
Quarterfinal: defeated Kindersley Klippers 4-1 (5-2, 6-1, 4-3, 2-3 OT, 5-2)
Semifinal: defeated Yorkton Terriers 4-0 (6-1, 3-0, 4-3, 3-1)
Final: defeated Weyburn Red Wings 4-1 (1-2, 3-0, 1-0, 5-1, 3-0)

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL): 46-8-2 (1st in SJHL)
Goals for: 221 (1st in SJHL)
Goals against: 123 (1st in SJHL)
Power play: 64 for 256 (25.0% – 1st in SJHL)
Penalty killing: 232 of 272 (85.3% – 1st in SJHL)
Longest winning streak: 17 (Nov. 13-Jan. 4)

Top 3 scorers:
• Reilley Kotai – 39G 38A 77P (1st in SJHL)
• Logan Belton – 27G 34A 61P (8th in SJHL)
• Ashton Hutchinson – 18G 34A 52P (15th in SJHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 12-2
Goals for: 51
Goals against: 19
Power play: 14 for 64 (21.9%)
Penalty killing: 52 of 57 (91.2%)

Top 3 scorers:
• Zac Somers – 8G 9A 17P
• Reilley Kotai – 7G 10A 17P
• Logan Belton – 7G 3A 10P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

1996 – Melfort Mustangs | runners-up | 5-1 | 35GF 10GA
2015 – Melfort Mustangs | 4th place | 2-3 | 12GF 19GA
2024 – Melfort Mustangs | runners-up | 5-1 | 20GF 12GA

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

Zac Somers – University of Maine (2025-26)
Nolan Roberts – University of Guelph (2025-26)

CJHL TOP 20 RANKINGS

Sept. 30 – 7th
Oct. 7 – 10th
Oct. 14 – 16th
Oct. 21 – 8th
Oct. 28 – 12th
Nov. 4 – 9th
Nov. 11 – 14th
Nov. 18 – 10th
Nov. 25 – 8th
Dec. 2 – 7th
Dec. 9 – 3rd
Dec. 16 – 3rd
Dec. 23 – 2nd
Jan. 6 – 2nd
Jan. 13 – 2nd
Jan. 20 – 2nd
Jan. 27 – 3rd
Feb. 3 – 6th
Feb. 10 – 6th
Feb. 17 – 6th
Feb. 24 – 5th
March 3 – 5th
March 10 – 5th

Cinderella has arrived to the ball.

While they have certainly earned their place at the 2025 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons, the Northern Manitoba Blizzard would have to be considered the most unlikely of the 10 national title contenders in Calgary.

Northern Manitoba finished the regular season with the sixth-best record in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL), getting to the finish line with losses in three of its last five games.

Among the 118 teams in the Canadian Junior Hockey League, the Blizzard ranked 45th in points percentage (.612) and had the 43rd-best goal differential (+38). The power play was 35th (23.4%) and the penalty kill was 62nd (79.7%).

But when the postseason began? Northern Manitoba was an entirely different team.

The Blizzard eased past the Neepawa Titans in five games, winning four in a row after dropping the opener, and stunned the first-place Winkler Flyers – the defending MJHL champions – with a four-game semifinal sweep.

That set up a league final against the Dauphin Kings that went to the absolute wire, and beyond.

After Northern Manitoba opened up a 3-1 series lead (with the lone blemish a triple-overtime loss in Game 2), the Kings rebounded to force a deciding Game 7.

It took more than 104 minutes of hockey, but Quincy Supprien was the hero late in the third overtime period, sending the Blizzard to Canada’s National Junior A Championship for the first time since they were runners-up as the OCN Blizzard in 2002.

Miguel Bouvier was the offensive star for Northern Manitoba, finishing second in MJHL scoring in the regular season with 74 points (37-37—74), while Taye Timmerman starred between the pipes in the playoffs, posting a 1.68 goals-against average and .937 save percentage while playing every second.

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the last MJHL team to win the national title, when the Portage Terriers hoisted the trophy on home ice.

HOW THEY GOT TO CALGARY

Manitoba Junior Hockey League
Quarterfinal: defeated Neepawa Titans 4-1 (2-3, 4-1, 5-4, 3-2 2OT, 3-2)
Semifinal: defeated Winkler Flyers 4-0 (4-2, 3-1, 3-1, 2-1 OT)
Final: defeated Dauphin Kings 4-3 (4-0, 3-2 3OT, 4-2, 5-2, 0-3, 1-2, 2-1 3OT)

REGULAR SEASON

Record (W-L-OTL): 35-22-1 (6th in MJHL)
Goals for: 188 (8th in MJHL)
Goals against: 150 (T-3rd in MJHL)
Power play: 54 for 231 (23.4% – 5th in MJHL)
Penalty killing: 141 of 177 (79.7% – 8th in MJHL)
Longest winning streak: 7 (Dec. 14-Jan. 11)

Top 3 scorers:
• Miguel Bouvier – 37G 37A 74P (2nd in MJHL)
• Quincy Supprien – 26G 30A 56P (12th in MJHL)
• Marlen Edwards – 24G 20A 44P (35th in MJHL)

PLAYOFFS

Record: 12-4
Goals for: 47
Goals against: 30
Power play: 10 for 59 (16.9%)
Penalty killing: 43 of 49 (87.8%)

Top 3 scorers:
• Marlen Edwards – 5G 10A 15P
• Tyler Dahms – 3G 12A 15P
• Quincy Supprien – 7G 6A 13P

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

2002 – OCN Blizzard | runners-up | 3-3 | 2GF 21GA

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS

Keegan McNeill – Fredonia State University (2025-26)
Brett Ward – Fredonia State University (2025-26)

CJHL TOP 20 RANKINGS

Sept. 30 – not ranked
Oct. 7 – Honourable Mention
Oct. 14 – Honourable Mention
Oct. 21 – not ranked
Oct. 28 – Honourable Mention
Nov. 4 – not ranked
Nov. 11 – not ranked
Nov. 18 – not ranked
Nov. 25 – not ranked
Dec. 2 – not ranked
Dec. 9 – not ranked
Dec. 16 – not ranked
Dec. 23 – not ranked
Jan. 6 – not ranked
Jan. 13 – not ranked
Jan. 20 – not ranked
Jan. 27 – not ranked
Feb. 3 – not ranked
Feb. 10 – not ranked
Feb. 17 – not ranked
Feb. 24 – not ranked
March 3 – not ranked
March 10 – not ranked