Late last week the Manitoba Junior Hockey League announced the coaching staff for the upcoming 2022 MJHL-SJHL SHOWCASE.
Among those announced was Head Coach and General Manager Barry Wolff of the Swan Valley Stampeders.
Wolff will lead Team Zajac (20U) during the two-day event. Dauphin Kings Head Coach and General Manager Doug Hedley and OCN Blizzard Head Coach and General Manager Billy Keane have been named assistant coaches to Wolff.
“It’s always special any time you get an opportunity like this to represent your league at these types of events,” said Wolff. “It is also a great opportunity to work with some other quality staff members such as Paul (Dyck) and Billy (Keane) alongside the league’s highly skilled athletes to showcase these young players’ talents.”
The Support staff was also announced and joining the coaches at the event will be Jeff Eidse (Steinbach Pistons), Jason Hart (Waywayseecappo Wolverines), and Dana Warrener (Virden Oil Capitals) and Kate Wiens (Swan Valley Stampeders).
“I am very honoured and excited to be representing the MJHL for the MJ/SJ Showcase in January,” said Wiens. “This is my second time being selected and I can’t wait to take in every aspect of this event, from the player talent to working with support staff and coaches from around the league.”
This event allows the athletes of the league maximum exposure in front of NHL, NCAA, Major Junior and U SPORTS scouts from across North America.
The January 2022 event marks the first time the showcase will be held in Manitoba and by the MJHL.
Showcase teams will arrive in Winnipeg on Jan. 24 for practices, meetings and team-building sessions. The Showcase games will be played Jan. 25-26 at the Seven Oaks Sportsplex.
Player rosters will be finalized following the trade deadline sometime after Jan. 10.
The league said that ticket information and further announcements will be made leading up to the 2022 MJHL-SJHL Showcase.
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League also made another announcement Monday, Dec. 6 regarding the All-Star game in January 2022. Barry Wolff has also been selected as part of the coaching staff for the upcoming event. He will be joined by Paul Dyck (Steinbach Pistons), and Tyson Ramsey (Virden Oil Capitals) as well as Ken Pearson (Neepawa Titans) who will be involved in a supporting/advisory role.
“It will be the best MJHL players, playing against the University of Manitoba Bisons team,” said Wolff. “This is a great opportunity to showcase the athlete’s talents in a completely different setting. The 2001-02 players will get a chance to play against guys in a higher level of hockey and this is great for the players, and great exposure for the league as a whole.”
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) will select an All-Star team that will face-off against the University of Manitoba Bisons in an exhibition match on Wednesday, Jan. 5 at 7 p.m. at Wayne Fleming Arena (Home of the Bisons and Winnipeg Ice) in Winnipeg.
The MJHL All-Star team will be assembled with the top 2001 and 2002 birth year players currently playing in the league.
Player rosters will be finalized before the Christmas Break.