PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE – As defending league champions, it almost goes without saying that the Portage Terriers will be in everyone’ s crosshairs when the puck drops on the 2017-18 Manitoba Junior Hockey League season.

The Terriers scored a 4-2 series win over a pesky OCN Blizzard squad in last year’ s league championship round to claim their third consecutive Turnbull Memorial Trophy. It marked the eighth time since 2005 that the club was crowned MJHL champs.

With a strong nucleus of returning players from last year’ s championship team, the Terriers are considered an early favourite to once again rule the 11-team loop. But

anyone thinking they might wilt under the pressure of such high expectations best think again. Head coach Blake Spiller said on the eve of training camp it will be business as usual for his team this season.

“ We’ ve had the same staff ever since I’ ve been here. We don’ t try to put pressure on anybody. We just do what we need to do and hopefully it works out,” Spiller said.“ You don’ t want to put that kind of [ pressure ] on yourself. There will be enough of that coming from outside the organization.”

If it’ s business as usual for the Terriers this season expect business to be pretty good. As many as 16 players from last year’ s championship squad are

expected to be back in green and white in 2017-18.

“ Obviously, all these guys are going to be a year older and with the experience of winning the league and then playing in the Western Canada Cup that’ s definitely good experience for these guys,” Spiller said.“ We’ re hoping that experience will help us get going early this season.”

The Terriers should once again be strong up front( they led the MJHL in scoring with 256 goals-for in 2016-17) with the return of league-leading scorer Jeremey Leipsic and team captain Chase Brakel, who finished second in the league scoring derby. The team’ s back end will be anchored by defensemen Layne

Toder, who shone as a 16-yearold last year, and McKenzie Dwyer, who was one of the top D-men at last year’ s Western Canada Cup in Pentincton. Goalie Brock Aiken, who won 27 games as a rookie last year, will be the main man in net.

“ It’ s always tough to tell at this time of year but I think we’ ll be a pretty similar team to last year,” Spiller said.

“ Last year in tight games we found ways for guys to get big goals for us. Hopefully that will continue this year. Last year I didn’ t think we were a really big, physical team. We relied a little more on skill. I think we’ ll be similar in that regard this year.”