The Parkland Rangers are set to embark on a new season in the Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League with a veteran Head Coach and a revamped roster. Head Coach Tyler Carefoot is back to lead the Rangers as they aim for a return to the playoffs after last season’s 10th place finish. Joining Carefoot on the bench are Assistant Coaches Chris Belhumeur and Colton Robak. Belhumeur returns to the Rangers after a successful playing career in the SIJHL and NCAA III and Robak will bring his experience in the MJHL and NCAA III to the bench. The group promises to bring a dynamic and forward-thinking approach to the squad.
With the losses of Madden Murray (Dauphin Kings- MJHL) and Dru Mushmanski (Regina Pats- WHL) the coaching staff will undoubtedly lean on a group of talented veterans to bring the younger forwards along throughout the season. Hayden Seib returns after piling up 36 points in 44 games last season. Seib will be joined up front by the rugged Cash Clarkson (30 points) and the talented Tavyn Boychuk (29 points) as key scorers. The coaches will rely on the versatile Linden Smigelsky (11 points) and Cade Legaarden (7 points) in every situation and both can be expected to take another step forward in 2023/24. The five returning forwards are joined by a group of homegrown skaters. Rangy Quentin Fisk brings his high skill game after a big 40 point season with the Rangers U15 program. Also coming from the U15 Rangers are Alex Campbell and Ryzlie Nepinak, who will provide size and skill in their first seasons at U18. Another U15 grad, Cash McCallum has made the jump and his aggressiveness and intensity will undoubtedly earn him some space on the ice in his rookie year. Speed merchant Ethan Carnegie will look to build on a sensational season with the DRCSS Clippers that saw him pile up 42 points and Landyn Garton comes aboard after a hugely successful season with the Dauphin Clinic Pharmacy Kings that included an overtime goal in the provincial final. Rounding out the forward group is Dauphin Kings draft pick Cam Sarna. Following up on a 55 point high school season, Sarna’s shiftiness and guile should translate into solid offense for the Rangers.
On the back end, the graduations of Bo Eisner (Melfort Mustangs- SJHL) and Skyler Carriere (Red Lake Miners- SIJHL) mean a new leadership group must emerge. The continued growth and development of the cerebral Sam Swanton and tenacious Andrew Pidskalny will be key to the Rangers success this season. They will be joined by smooth-skaters Nathan Miller and Ryder Gardner, both of whom graduated from the U15 Rangers. The youngsters bring high-end skill and can be expected to make an impact as the season wears on. Rounding out the blueline group is Zone 4 High School Hockey League Top Defenseman award winner Maddox Shindle, playing his first season of U18 AAA.
In goal, Chase Glover and Ethen Myhre promise to provide an elite level of play all season. Glover enjoyed an excellent rookie season with the Rangers, appearing in 23 games and boasting an .878 SV%. Myrhe returns home after 21 games with the OHA Edmonton U16 squad where he authored an .840 SV%. The pair should push each other for the crease all season long.
The Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League kicks off the regular season this weekend with 12 teams in action. The grueling 44 game marathon is set to begin for the Rangers on Friday, September 29 at 7:30 pm at Credit Union Place in Dauphin when the Yellowhead Chiefs come to town. This spirited rivalry game should be an ideal way to roll into the 2023/24 season.