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When the ice chips cleared Peguis had peaked and won their second straight KJHL title
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Peguis Juniors 2017 KJHL Champions
SELKIRK – For the Keystone Junior Hockey League, the 2016-17 season was one of changes.
Last season, the league decided to divide the 10-team league into three divisions with OCN, Cross Lake and Norway House in the North; Arborg, Peguis and Fisher River in the Central; and Selkirk, St. Malo, North Winnipeg and Lundar in the South.
The new divisions worked like a charm as Arborg, the Host Community for the 2017 Keystone Cup, and Peguis battled in the Central; OCN and Cross Lake developed a rivalry in the North; and St. Malo and Selkirk battled to the bitter end in the South.
When the ice chips cleared, the Peguis Juniors had peaked, played brilliantly in the playoffs and won their second straight KJHL Provincial Jr. B title in six games over the hard-working Arborg Ice Dawgs.
This year, Peguis will indeed challenge again, but look out for at least six or seven other clubs to challenge. As KJHL spokesman Grant Heather says,“ If there is one thing about the upcoming 2017-18 season, it’ s parity.”“ It’ s going to be a really competitive season,” said Heather.“ Norway House is a little older and they’ ll be much better, OCN, Selkirk, Peguis and St. Malo are always good, Arborg was great last year, Cross Lake, North Winnipeg and Lundar are all improved. Parity is definitely the word.”
If there is one major, noticeable difference this season it’ s that the Keystone Cup Western Canada Championship, as we’ ve come to know, is no more. British Columbia and Alberta have pulled out of the competition leaving Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario to decide if they want to come together for a regional championship tournament at the end of the year.
“ I guess B. C. and Alberta got tired of winning,” said Heather.“ I can’ t spin it any other way. I think I can safely say that right now, I’ m not sure what will happen, but there will be a Keystone Cup in some form.”
Indeed. And that tournament, if it takes place next spring, will be just as competitive as this year’ s KJHL is shaping up to be. Let’ s take a close look at all 10 teams to see what we can expect this year.
SEPTEMBER 2017 | GAME ON | 39