Nissen Junior Hockey League - Season 5 Award Winners 

Regular Season MVP - Denny Brega  Michigan Menace Defense  

Offensive Player of The Year -  Denny Brega Michigan Menace Defense

                                                                     Forrest Burris Louisville Lions. Center 

Goal Scoring Leader - Arne Culliton  Lethbridge Howlers. Center 

                                                Maksim Zadoyanny. Delta Storm. Left Wing 

Assist Scoring Leader - Denny Brega, Michigan Menace. Defense 

Plus / Minus Leader - Svit Auber. Delta Storm. Defense 

Goal Against leader - Karel Sivak, Manitoba Spirit  Goalie

Save Percentage -  Karel Sivak , Manitoba Spirit. Goalie 

Had a few GMs reach out and ask for more predictions... so here we go!  Please keep in mind that these are just predictions, and not a personal insult or vendetta against a specific GM.

1. The Halifax Chaos make it the the conference finals.  Entering the season, the Chaos have the 3rd fewest playoff games played, and have only amassed one appearance in a 4-2 series loss.  GM Oliver has never been shy to make moves and shake things up, and that's exactly what he did this offseason.  With the additions of Fox OCallahan, Adrien Karygiannis, Willem Halward, and Olaf Breiger, those 4 guys and captain Nils Lehman might be the best C core of any pro team.  Though some players may not be as proven, the potential is there for this to be an extremely tough group to play against.  Adding minutes-eating defenceman Alexis Pitsadiotis on the back end, underrated defenceman Eli Pajaczkowski,  and having an entire season of Karim Hogdal in nets, with Rylee Hak ready to take over, this looks like a much improved team on paper.  Though it may take some time to figure out which players gel with who, we believe that once it's figured out, the Chaos are poised for a deep playoff run that would ultimately see them in the final 4.  With three 1st round picks in the upcoming draft, the Chaos could definitely be buyers come the deadline if things are headed in the right direction.

2. The player that finishes the season with the most points belongs to Voodoo C Sergey Krivulya.  Is this a bold prediction?  Maybe not a bold one... after all he did finish with 96 points last season.  But with the free agent signing of veteran winger Michal England, it gives him an opportunity with more offensively gifted players.  Right now, he's been anchored with Gerald Slobodian who is no bum by any means.  With three quality pro left wingers, it gives GM Phillips a chance to mix and match some lines and combinations.  If given the runway, I think England and Krivulya would be able to create offensive magic together, and would somehow prop Krivulya up another notch offensively, seeing him win the points race at seasons end.

3. Alright enough positivity, let's get to the good stuff.  The first team to finally succumb to life outside of the playoffs are the Massachusetts Militia.  With star goaltender Andrew Wiewel dealt in the offseason, the Militia open the season with Russian netminder Aleksey Popleteyev as the number 1 guy.  First off, he's projected to be a fantastic goalie, and we believe he has a strong future as a certified number 1 goalie.  Is he ready yet?  Guess we'll find out.  As previously mentioned, the Chaos may have the best C depth among pro teams, and now we get to what may be the worst.  Marty Ruttan as the number one guy?  A man who's reached 50 points once in his career?  Yeesh, not a great look for management that's supposedly in win-now mode.  O'Curry looks like he could be good, but reaching a career high 37 points last year, can he do that again?  Yes you read that correctly, 37 points as a career high for a guy who is going to be their 2C.  Presswood, Gronvall, and Milliner are a good group of wingers, but outside of that, it's all up in the air.  An aging d core, this could be the first domino to fall in terms of playoff staples the first few seasons finally running out of runway as they look at a roster turnover.

4. Going to try this again, as one of these years it should finally happen.  The Twisters will make the playoffs due to the division they are in, but you finally see them take a major step back in points and get another first round playoffs exit.  Another year of aging stars should hypothetically mean this team declines, but they've proven that chemistry is all that matters.  In a division with the Orcas, Stormbreakers (who have still never made the playoffs), and the Dynasty, finally made the dance last year, it's not exactly the strongest division when based on years prior.  This should give the Twisters an edge, but still some concerns over the roster.  Trading Rasmus Koso for only two 3rd round picks, a young and inexperienced d core,  Rutenka as the only centre that has put up 50 points, it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out.  Adding Jordan Daley should be a huge add for them, and a full season of Kenneth Pehrson will help as well.  Though they have a chance at a division title, in the grand scope of things, they may be average when tested against the rest of the league.  Time will tell if the vets can hang on for another year.

5. We will see a new (but familiar) champion this year.  Season 6 sees the Edmonton Blizzard as the champions.  This has to be one of the most complete rosters in the league.  Scoring?  Defence?  Depth?  They have all of that.  Goaltending will be the question mark, but even if they get average goaltending, the team is good enough in front of them that it shouldn't really matter.  The team is really young and projects to be a force for years to come.  With plenty of picks and prospects in their possession, they are always in a position to add even more weapons if they deem in necessary come the deadline.

Portland, OR — The Twisters entered Season 6 looking to bounce back after a disappointing campaign that ended with a first-round playoff exit in five games.

The biggest move of the offseason came when the Twisters traded away franchise defenseman Koso to the Seattle Stormbreakers in exchange for three second-round draft picks. Koso averaged over 35 points during his time with the Twisters but struggled heavily in playoff runs.
 

Through free agency, the Twisters brought in Konstantin Pastushenko, who averaged 50 points over the years with the Dynasty and Chaos. He is expected to play on the second line alongside Jordie Daley and Greyson Tordoff. This line is projected to be the primary scoring unit for the Twisters this season.
 

The second major free-agent signing was Jordie Daley, who averaged over 60 points during his time with the Razorbacks and Harfang. While Daley had a down year last season, recording just 17 points in 55 games, it was clear he was not being utilized effectively with the Harfang. The addition of these two proven offensive players should provide a significant boost to the Twisters’ scoring attack.

The Twisters are also calling up prospect Tommy Van Loon, who averaged 60 points over the past few seasons with the Vipers. Expectations are high for the young forward as he makes the jump to the big club.
 

At the Season 5 Entry Draft, the Twisters made three selections, the most draft picks they have made in a single year in franchise history.

With the 56th overall pick in the third round, they selected defenseman Mario Vazan. Vazan recorded 22 points in 65 games last junior season with the Chill.

With their second selection, they drafted defenseman Taras Pervago, who posted 41 points in 82 games last season with the Nighthawks.
 

Their final selection was goaltender Reid Rierdon, who finished his season with the Howlers posting a 2.57 GAA and a .908 save percentage.

The scouting report on both defensemen highlights them as elite offensive talents who could play a major role for the Twisters in the coming years. It is no secret that franchise goaltender Ash Galvin is nearing the end of his career and could begin to slow down due to age. Rierdon could become a major factor in net for the organization in the future.

There are several questions surrounding the team heading into the new season. Will the Twisters’ young defensive core hold up? Will the new free agents mesh with the current roster? Can one of the younger teams in the league maintain its success? Most importantly, can the most historic franchise in the LTLHL capture its third championship?
 

Only time will tell as Season 6 gets underway. 

From Report Joe Dirte

Calgary – a city where the spirit of hockey runs deep, where the towering Rockies stand as a testament to strength and resilience, and where the heartbeat of the community echoes with every slapshot and cheer. It is here, in this vibrant and proud city, that the Calgary Lumberjacks have risen—not just as a new team in the Light The Lamp Hockey League (LTLHL), but as a symbol of values that define true champions: hard work, determination, and unbridled enthusiasm.

The Calgary Lumberjacks are more than just a franchise; they are a movement rooted in the belief that success is earned through grit and relentless focus on the goal. From the locker room to the ice, every player, coach, and staff member embodies a relentless work ethic and an unwavering drive to push forward. This team doesn’t just play hockey—they live it with a grounded, no-nonsense approach that resonates with the hardworking people of Calgary. The Lumberjacks stand tall as a reflection of the city’s blue-collar roots, where every shift is a battle and every goal a reward for dedication and purposeful effort.

At the helm is Coach Patric Backman, a leader who inspires through his commitment to building a team that fights for every inch and never loses sight of its ambitions. Alongside him, Captain Craig Bruton leads with passion and relentless drive, setting the tone for a squad that plays with heart and laser-focused intent. Together, they cultivate a culture where enthusiasm fuels every play, and where the joy of the game is matched by a fierce commitment to achieving greatness.

The Lumberjacks’ connection to the Medicine Hat Drillers farm team further strengthens their foundation, nurturing young talent with the same principles of hard work and focused ambition. This partnership ensures a future where players grow not only as athletes but as individuals who carry forward the proud legacy of the Lumberjacks.

For the fans of Calgary, the Lumberjacks are a rallying cry—a call to embrace the values that make this city great. They invite everyone to join in the excitement, to cheer with passion, and to witness the birth of a team that plays with soul and purpose. The Calgary Lumberjacks aren’t just here to compete; they’re here to inspire, to unite, and to build a legacy grounded in hard work, determination, and enthusiasm.

The future of hockey in Calgary is bright, and with the Lumberjacks leading the charge, it promises to be a thrilling journey filled with heart, hustle, and unforgettable moments. Join the movement—because this is just the beginning.

TORONTO, ON — Professional hockey is officially expanding its footprint in the hockey capital of the world.

Excitement has reached a fever pitch in the city following the formal unveiling of the Toronto RedTails, the newest expansion franchise set to hit the ice. Playing out of their brand-new, state-of-the-art facility, the Aerodome, the RedTails are already generating massive local buzz as they look to carve out their own legacy in a sports-mad market.

The team took its biggest developmental leap forward today at a packed press conference inside the Aerodome's pristine main atrium. Newly appointed General Manager Sean Souliere took to the podium to announce a historic milestone for the franchise: naming Defenseman Lukas Weller as the first team captain in RedTails history.

"When you build a franchise from scratch, you aren't just looking for skilled hockey players; you’re looking for architectural pillars for your culture," Souliere told reporters. "Lukas embodies everything we want the RedTails to represent. He is resilient, a proven leader who commands respect the second he walks into the dressing room. He is the perfect person to wear the 'C' as we embark on this journey."

Weller, 24, arrives in Toronto with a reputation as a fierce competitor and a stabilizing locker-room presence. Clad in the RedTails' inaugural home jersey, he expressed both pride and realism about the task ahead.

"It's an incredible honor to be named the first captain of this franchise," Weller said, looking out at the Aerodome's bowl. "We know the expectations in this city are sky-high, and we aren't running away from that. The energy out there is palpable. Our goal from day one is to build a team that mirrors the hard work and passion of Toronto sports fans. We want to make the Aerodome a building opponents dread coming to."

The backdrop for today's announcement, the Aerodome, is a story in itself. Featuring a cutting-edge, aviation-inspired architectural design, the arena boasts advanced acoustics, an intimate seating bowl designed to keep sightlines tight to the glass, and eco-friendly infrastructure. Ticket concepts and luxury suites have reportedly already sold out for the inaugural season, proving that Toronto has plenty of appetite for more elite hockey.

While expansion teams traditionally face a steep uphill battle on the ice, Souliere has been aggressive in the expansion draft and free agency, assembling a roster that pundits believe could challenge for a playoff spot much sooner than standard expansion timelines suggest.

With a modern arena, a savvy front office, and now a definitive leader in Lukas Weller, the Toronto RedTails are no longer just a concept on paper. They are ready to fly.