A year after the entry in The Basketball League folded, league president David Magley announced the return of the team to action, tipping off in February.
The previous incarnation failed, as so many similar ventures do, because of money.
Magley said the league was excited about the team and the person who was prepared to run it.
“The reality was the funding component wasn’t coming together as quickly as he would have liked it,” he said. “And where he was going to play was going to cost a significant amount of money to get in and play the right way.”
Magley said it was an unfortunate situation, but it was the right move for all involved.
“The league doesn’t want to enter into something that we have to back up that is financially going to struggle,” he said.
It wasn’t the first time a basketball team in Saint John. The Mill Rats, later the Riptide, played at what was then Harbour Station from 2010 to 2019.
This time around, the team will play at the G. Forbes Athletics Centre at the University of New Brunswick Saint John.
Magley said the cost associated with TD Station is a barrier to success, mostly due to the expense of transforming the playing surface from an ice rink to a basketball court on a regular basis.
“It makes it hard to build a model that makes sense,” he said.
Magley said the UNBSJ facility doesn’t have all the amenities of a larger building like TD Station, but it’s what’s needed to get started.
The Power will play in a division with Moncton, Halifax and St. John’s, but Magley said he’s hoping to add four new teams in Atlantic Canada next year.
Two SIJHL teams have inched up in the weekly rankings from the Canadian Junior Hockey League.
The league-leading Fort Frances Lakers move up three positions to 16th after scoring a pair of wins over Thunder Bay this past weekend to take over the top spot from the Dryden GM Ice Dogs.
The Lakers have not lost a game in regulation time in their last four contests, and are one point up on the Dogs, who did not play this past weekend.
Dryden still moved up one spot in the rankings to number 11.
The Rockland Nationals of the Central Canada Hockey League remain No. 1 in the top 20 rankings.
They have won 17 consecutive games and have just two losses this season.
The Niverville Nighthawks of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League continue to hold down the number two spot.
CJHL TOP 20 RANK TEAM (LEAGUE) (PREVIOUS WEEK)
Rockland Nationals (CCHL) (1)
Niverville Nighthawks (MJHL) (2)
Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) (3)
Toronto Patriots (OJHL) (4)
Panthères de St-Jérôme (LHJAAAQ) (5)
Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) (6)
Stouffville Spirit (OJHL) (9)
Timmins Rock (NOJHL) (8)
Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL) (7)
Portage Terriers (MJHL) (10)
Dryden GM Ice Dogs (SIJHL) (12)
Collingwood Blues (OJHL) (11)
Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) (13)
Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL) (15)
Greater Sudbury Cubs (NOJHL) (16)
Fort Frances Lakers (SIJHL) (19)
Truro Bearcats (MHL) (18)
Summerside Western Capitals (MHL) (14)
Battlefords North Stars (SJHL) (NR)
Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL) (HM)
HONOURABLE MENTION: Lloydminster Bobcats (AJHL); Weyburn Red Wings (SJHL); Hearst Lumberjacks (NOJHL); Milton Menace (OJHL); Ottawa Jr. Senators (CCHL)
Defenceman Kaden Veller, like many 20-year-olds, is reflective in his final year of junior hockey.
The Macklin, Saskatchewan native is one of eight players on the Bombers that will graduate from the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) following this season.
“I have definitely not taken any minute of it for granted and am just trying to enjoy every day of being at the rink with the guys because it goes by fast,” Veller said. “And being a captain has been more of a responsibility of course, but I’m just trying to lead by example on and off the ice to the best of my ability.”
The Bombers began the season with a 4-1 record in September which was followed by a 6-2-1-0 mark in October. The team struggled in November with two victories in seven games and head into the New Year with a 15-9-1-0 record (3-1-0-0 December).
“We have faced some adversity and learning how to overcome lots of it. There have been a couple of upsetting losses, but we don’t take them as a loss, we take them as a learning experience. That approach has had a big impact on us since the start of the year.”
Veller also pointed to the fact that just ten points separates five teams in the standings entering 2026, noting “this has been the tightest the league has been in the three seasons I’ve been here. It just shows how you can’t expect anything. You have to work for everything no matter what team you are playing because every team in this league can beat every other team on a single night.”
Veller has pointed to a pair of teammates who have had good years.
“Draeden Bear has been a great addition to the team as a 20-year-old and is one of are hardest workers every game and every morning at practice,” Veller added. “Olan Norton has also had a big impact on the team as a rookie. He’s been playing some big minutes and has impressed all of us.”
Veller dressed against the Thunder Bay North Stars on November 21, 2025 for his 100th regular season game. He also made his Bombers debut on September 22, 2023 against the North Stars.
Veller admits “Reaching that mark made me think ‘wow this has flew by fast’. It also made me think back to the first time I put on a Bombers jersey, and how special the last three years have been to me.”
Veller has hopes to continue playing at the College level while furthering his education in business.
JANUARY 2026 SCHEDULE
Friday 9th @ Red Lake Miners Saturday 10th @ Red Lake Miners Friday 16th @ Thunder Bay North Stars Saturday 17th @ Thunder Bay North Stars Tuesday 20th vs. Dryden GM Ice Dogs Friday 23rd @ Ironwood Lumberjacks Saturday 24th @ Ironwood Lumberjacks Friday 30th vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye Saturday 31st vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye
With the recent announcement of Canada’s Olympic ice hockey team for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, northwestern Ontario can look back with fondness at the area players who have represented Canada in past competitions.
Most notable is in the 1936 games in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, where Canada, represented by the Port Arthur Bearcats, lost out on a gold medal because of a controversial decision regarding eligibility and the tournament’s format.
The Bearcats were granted the right to represent Canada after the Halifax Wolverines, winners of the 1935 Allan Cup over the Bearcats, disbanded prior to the 1935-36 season.
The Port Arthur club would eventually be supplemented with players from other clubs, but still had several members from the 1934-35 season, including Max Deacon of Schreiber, James Haggarty, Ray Milton, Jackie Nash, Alex Sinclair, and Bill Thompson.
Johnny Coward, who grew up in Fort Frances, was on the winning side of the 1936 Olympics, skating for Britain’s team.
Coward was playing in the English National League at the time of his selection.
Port Arthur-born Gerry Davey was also on Britain’s team.
Henry Akervall in Germany at the Olympics, 1964, Cairine Budner fonds at Lakehead University Archives, accessed January 6, 2026, https://digitalcollections.lakeheadu.ca/items/show/3194
Hank Akervall captained Canada’s entry at the 1964 games in Innsbruck, Austria, where the team lost its final two games to miss out on a medal for the first time.
Wayne Stephenson, who was born in Fort William but learned to play hockey in Winnipeg, played in the next winter Olympics held in Grenoble, France, where Canada won bronze.
Chris Lindbergh of Fort Frances skated for Canada at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France.
Lindbergh joined the national team the season before, and was among the team’s top scorers during the 1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons.
Canada finished in a three-way tie for first in their pool but earned the top seed over the Unified Team, recognizing nations of the former Soviet Union that broke up just before the games, and Czechoslovakia.
The Canadians edged Germany, then upset the Czechs to reach the gold-medal game against the Unified Team, but lost 3-1.
Lindberg scored Canada’s only goal.
The silver medal was Canada’s first Olympic medal in ice hockey in 32 years.
Two years later, Greg Johnson of Thunder Bay was the region’s representative on Team Canada in Lillehammer, Norway.
Canada earned silver after a shootout loss to Sweden in the final.
Northwestern Ontario’s representation continued when NHL players made up the Olympic teams in 1998.
Dryden’s Chris Pronger was part of the team that lost in the bronze medal game to Finland in Nagano, Japan.
Pronger would make four consecutive Olympic appearances, winning gold in 2002 and 2010.
Thunder Bay’s Eric Staal, Mike Richards of Kenora, and former Fort Frances resident Duncan Keith were also members of the 2010 team that won gold a dramatic overtime game over the United States in Vancouver.
Keith and Patrick Sharp of Thunder Bay were selected for the 2014 gold medal-winning team in Sochi, Russia.
Staal was back with Team Canada in 2022, selected as captain and helping to win bronze at Gangneung, South Korea.
There have been several players with ties to Fort Frances who have suited up for Team USA.
Robert Rompre of International Falls was selected to the 1952 team that earned a silver medal at the games in Oslo, Norway.
His college hockey career had been interrupted that year when he was drafted by the United States Marine Corps for the Korean War.
The Marine Corps allowed him to skate for the US when news of his selection was made.
Rompre scored eight goals in the tournament, including 4 in the team’s opener against Finland.
A 3-3 tie with Canada secured Rompre and his American teammates a silver medal.
Ed Sampson and Dick Dougherty were part of the 1956 USA team that won a silver medal at Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Both were born in Fort Frances, but held US citizenship and lived in International Falls.
Sampson was a member of the Fort Frances Canadians at the time of his selection, while Dougherty was starring with the Warroad Lakers senior club.
Dan Dilworth was selected to the 1964 American team that finished 5th at the Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria.
Dilworth, who had played hockey in Fort Frances, was coming off a strong season with the USHL Waterloo Black Hawks, where he led the team in scoring in the 1962-63 season.
The 1972 Olympic team saw three from International Falls make the squad.
Keith Christianson and Tim Sheehy, who were born in Fort Frances but played hockey in the Falls, were members of the US National team for three years leading up to the games.
Fellow International Falls resident Mike Curran joined them and helped the American squad to a silver medal at Sapporo, Japan.
Bob Mason and Gary Sampson were the last from International Falls to make an Olympic team, selected for the 1984 US team, which had a 7th-place finish.
Sampson was born in Atikokan but raised in the Falls.
Mason and Sampson were also teammates at the University of Minnesota-Duluth before joining the national team after their college careers.
Northwestern Ontario has also had representation on the rosters of other countries than Canada and the US.
Bob Deperio and Tom Milani of Thunder Bay played for Italy in the 1984 Olympics.
The first games in this year’s winter Olympics will begin on February 5th.
Justin Gelderland has been involved with the Red Lake Miners since he was a kid.
The hometown defenceman is in his last year of junior hockey and says that his family began billeting players when the team moved to Red Lake.
“Being the captain has been both fulfilling and stressful, and it’s made this year feel even more personal,” said Gelderland. “It has definitely come with extra responsibilities that have pushed me to take a more mature and responsible approach to my final season.”
“Leading such a young team has been challenging with the adversity we’ve faced, but it’s also been rewarding. There have been a lot of teaching moments where guys need some guidance to adjust their play style. Seeing how quickly they’ve developed and how much confidence they’ve gained has been impressive.”
The Miners only two victories came away from Red Lake: October 11th against the Ironwood Lumberjacks and October 17th versus the Thunder Bay North Stars.
Each team in the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) will make the Bill Salonen Cup Playoffs with the regular season champions earning a bye into the semi-finals.
“We hired a new head coach in August, and because of that we got a later start to the season than we would have liked,” Gelderland added. “That naturally created some issues with preparation and execution.”
Billy Keane, older brother of former NHLer Mike Keane, is the fourth Head Coach and General Manager for the Miners since the 2015 campaign (Derek Sweet-Coulter 2015-2019, Geoff Walker 2019-2022 and Lee Stone 2022-2025).
Gelderland was quick to compliment Thunder Bay defenceman Graeme Tenhunen.
“Graeme has taken full advantage of the opportunities that have been provided to him. He plays a solid defensive role for us, and regularly logs 25 minutes including power play and penalty kill,” mentioned Gelderland. “He has already secured himself as a top 3 defence man in our lineup, and with the experience he’s gaining now, I have no doubt he’ll make a strong impact in every game he plays when he is the regular age of a junior hockey player.”
Gelderland suited up in regular season game number 100 against the Thunder Bay North Stars on November 8, 2025. His first game with his hometown team came against the Dryden GM Ice Dogs on December 10, 2022.
“Hitting that milestone definitely made me think back to my first game as a Miner,” reflected Gelderland. “It reminded me of how much I’ve grown as a player and a person, and all the experiences along the way. It was a cool milestone to reach, and it gave me a moment to appreciate every step of the journey.”
Gelderland is hoping to work towards getting his pilot’s license while also playing college hockey next season.
JANUARY 2026 SCHEDULE
Friday 9th vs. Sioux Lookout Bombers Saturday 10th vs. Sioux Lookout Bombers Tuesday 13th @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs Friday 16th vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye Saturday 17th vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye Friday 23rd @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs Saturday 24th vs. Dryden GM Ice Dogs Tuesday 27th vs. Fort Frances Lakers Saturday 31st vs. Thunder Bay North Stars
The top players from the SIJHL will take on the Lakehead Thunderwolves men’s hockey team this weekend.
The two game showcase kicks off tonight at 7:00pm at the Fort Williams Gardens. The same two teams meet again Saturday night at 7:00pm.
Each Superior International Junior Hockey League team submitted a list of six players (three forwards, two defensemen, and one goaltender) with every team represented by at least two players.
Representing the Sioux Lookout Bombers will be goaltender Matthew Ofukany, defencemen Kaden Veller and Michael Casey along with forward Brodie Wood.
The Thunder Bay North Stars will have defenseman Chance Loke as well as forwards Evan Simeoni, Matthew Bertolin and Lucas Bertolin.
Forwards Evan Lachimea, Kaden Goodwin and Carter Poddubny will represent the Kam River Fighting Walleye.
Defenceman Bradyn Rowsell along with forwards Bryant Linklater and Noah Tenney will represent the Red Lake Miners.
Fort Frances Lakers Goaltender Nolan Koethler will be joined by Pierce Gouin, Judd Pesch and forward Teagan Wrolstad.
The Dryden GM Ice Dogs will send forward Adrian Mendoza and Carter Goreniuk to Thunder Bay for the two-night event.
The Lakehead Thunderwolves went into the December break with a record of 10-6, good enough for 2nd spot in the Western Conference. The exhibition series will be a tuneup for Lakehead who face off against the Wilfred Laurier Golden Hawks on January 9th.
The early success of the Fort Frances Lakers can be perhaps tied to chemistry.
With just four players on the roster that are playing their final year of junior hockey, Captain Pierce Gouin (International Falls, Minnesota) feels that the younger players have adapted to the rigors of junior hockey in a timely manner.
“We’ve been working really hard on building chemistry both on and off the ice, and I believe that it shows in our performance,” says Gouin. “We’ve had different challenges to overcome, but each game has presented an opportunity for us to improve and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far.”
“This year has been all about teamwork and supporting each other through difficult situations. I think it’s important to have a team that will do anything for one another and that is what we have this year.”
The other three graduating players on the Lakers are forwards Daniel Tokariwski (Winnipeg, Manitoba) and Nickolas Fagnilli (Kenora, Ontario) along with defenceman Nolan Barker (Hermantown, Minnesota).
Gouin notes it a huge honour to be the captain of the Lakers in his final season.
“I’ve tried to embrace the role and set the standard every day,” he added. “I wouldn’t say I’ve treated this year any differently, but I’ve definitely been more intentional about my leadership just by communicating with the boys, staying level in tough moments, and just making sure the team is always moving in the right direction.”
Last season, the Lakers hit one of their highest regular season win totals since the 2019/2020 season with 20. Heading into 2026 the franchise already has 18 victories.
With hockey being a team game, Gouin had a hard time singling out players that have performed well. He did acknowledge the efforts of goaltenders Nolan Koethler and Brady Cates along with forward Dax Laplante.
“Our goalies have truly been the backbone for us this year. They give us a chance to win every night, and that consistency has been huge for the team,” mentioned Gouin. “Our young players have stepped up in a big way. Being only 16 years old, playing junior hockey and fitting right into the competition is something that you don’t see every day. Dax Laplante has done that and is one of the hardest workers on the ice. He’s been getting better every day that I see him perform.”
The Lakers have also had to adjust to a new but familiar face behind the bench. Luke Judson was promoted to Head Coach and General last Spring following the resignation of Tyler Miller.
Gouin notes that Judson has been a big supporter of his since his first game as a Laker.
“I’m grateful for all the support he’s given me and the team. He creates an environment where you want to work hard and win. Even on our workday Mondays, when none of the boys are really jumping out of bed to be there. But he still gets a good effort out of us on those days,” Gouin added.
Gouin made his debut with the Laker franchise on September 22, 2023 against the Dryden GM Ice Dogs. Following a brief stint with the Virden Oil Capitals of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) in September 2024, he came back to the Lakers to finish the season.
Game number 100 in a Laker uniform occurred on October 31, 2025 against the Ice Dogs.
“I know that I’m only going to be able to play junior hockey once in my life, so I try to make every moment count,” reflected Gouin. “I didn’t realize it would go by this fast from playing my first game, to playing my 100th game. I’m thankful for all of the memories that have been made over these last three years.”
Gouin is exploring college hockey opportunities in 2026/2027.
JANUARY 2026 SCHEDULE
Friday 9th vs. Thunder Bay North Stars Saturday 10th vs. Thunder Bay North Stars Tuesday 13th @ Kam River Fighting Walleye Tuesday 20th vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks Friday 23rd vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye Saturday 24th vs. Kam River Fighting Walleye Tuesday 27th @ Thunder Bay North Stars Friday 30th @ Ironwood Lumberjacks Saturday 31st @ Ironwood Lumberjacks
Elias Eisenbarth knows his days in a Dryden GM Ice Dogs uniform are limited, but he’s enjoying the ride while he’s on it.
The Medicine Hat, Alberta forward is in his final year of junior hockey and considers it an honour to serve as the Captain during the anniversary season of the Ice Dogs franchise and the Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL).
“It’s been super fun, the guys are absolutely amazing and eager to play everyday. I wouldn’t say that I have been treated any differently. The city and the team have been so supportive and welcoming, its made the transition smooth,” said Eisenbarth.
The Superior International Junior Hockey League (SIJHL) is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2025-2026. Similarly, the Dryden GM Ice Dogs are commemorating their 25th year as the league’s oldest and most decorated franchise.
“As players we absolutely think about it,” Eisenbarth acknowledged. “It’s definitely something we take pride in as an organization. We are looking to represent the city of Dryden to the best of our abilities and make the people here proud. It’s such a loyal and welcoming fanbase who deserve nothing less than that.”
Eisenbarth points to his team hitting it’s stride in October (8-0-2-0) and November (5-2-0-0) and finished December with a 4-1 record, good for first place in the standings heading into the New Year.
Eisenbarth notes that it’s hard to pinpoint a few guys that have helped the Ice Dogs get to where they are at this moment, adding “Everyone on the team has been amazing and has brought something to the table that helps us as a group. It allows everyone to play their game and be successful within their roles. I’d just say that as a team we have had a good season so far and look to keep building upon it.”
Eisenbarth hit the 100-game mark in the regular season against the Fort Frances Lakers, collecting three points (1G, 2A) in a 6-5 overtime victory.
His regular season debut was also against the Lakers on September 9, 2023.
Eisenbarth acknowledged that hitting the milestone made him reflect on his first game with the Ice Dogs on September 9, 2023.
“It has been an awesome ride for the past three years,” Eisenbarth noted. “I’m just trying to cherish and enjoy the games that are remaining. It really puts the amount of time that’s been spent at the rink and with the guys into perspective. I’m fortunate and grateful that all 100 games have been in an Ice Dogs jersey. I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”
Eisenbarth would love to continue playing hockey in 2026/2027 and has been looking into post-secondary options that will allow him to do that.
JANUARY 2026 SCHEDULE
Tuesday 13th vs. Red Lake Miners Friday 16th vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks Saturday 17th vs. Ironwood Lumberjacks Tuesday 20th @ Dryden GM Ice Dogs Friday 23rd vs. Red Lake Miners Saturday 24th @ Red Lake Miners
