Defenseman CJ Corazzin (99) is the newest member of the Winkler Flyers blueline, after signing with the club this week.

The Winkler Flyers will kick off the 2017-18 Manitoba Junior Hockey League Regular Season schedule with a home and home series against the Neepawa Natives starting Friday, September 22nd.

The Winkler Flyers have added a pair of forwards from the Winnipeg Thrashers (Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League) with the signing of Trent Halfdanson and Carter Ives.

Two more players have committed to the Winkler Flyers for the 2017-18 season.

Winkler Flyers leading scorer Scott Gall has committed to the Lakehead University Thunderwolves (U Sports) for the 2017-2018 season.

The Winkler Flyers have added two more forwards for the 2017-18 season after the signing of Griffin Leonard (99) and Lucas Barker (99).   “Leonard was a part of the Winnipeg Wild team that won the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League Championship last season and will be really good for us down the middle” said Flyers Head Coach and General Manager Ken Pearson.   “Barker is a guy who can find the back of the net, he will score goals in bunches and in all different ways.” added Pearson.   Griffin Leonard is a 5’11”, 175lbs forward from Winnipeg, Manitoba and recorded 31 points (15 goals – 16 assists) in 41 regular season games with the Wild last season. He also recorded six points (2 goals – 4 assists) in Winnipeg’s Championship run through the playoffs. Leonard played one game with the Flyers as an AP last season.   “I can’t wait for the season to start. It’s a huge honour to be a part of the Flyers organization” said Griffin Leonard.   Barker is a 5’11”, 170lbs forward from West Vancouver, British Columbia and is another highly sought after prospect that the Flyers were able to recruit. In 49 games played at the Burnaby Winter Club last season, Barker recorded 48 points (28 goals – 20 assists) and 55 penalty minutes. He also played in two games with the Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL) last season.   “I’m very excited to start the next chapter of my life by playing for the Flyers. I’m choosing this path to develop my game, grow as a person and earn a scholarship to play college hockey” said Barker.   The Flyers would like to officially welcome Griffin, Lucas and their families to the Flyers organization and look forward to seeing them on the ice this season.

The Winkler Flyers are pleased to announce the signing of two local players for the 2017-2018 season. Forward Everett Bestland and goaltender Aaron Brunn, both of the Pembina Valley Hawks (Manitoba AAA Midget) have committed to play for the Orange and Black during the upcoming season.   “We are thrilled to be able to sign both Aaron and Everett.” said Flyers Head Coach and General Manager Ken Pearson.   “Both guys are quality kids and will certainly be able to help us. We are thrilled that some of the most talented kids in the Pembina Valley choose to come and play for us.” added Pearson.   Everett Bestland is a 6’3”, 175lbs forward from Brunkild, Manitoba. He recorded 33 points (16 goals – 17 assists) in 46 games with the Hawks last season. Bestland has the potential to be a reliable two-way forward that is capable of playing on the top line, while defending other teams top lines. He was drafted in the 5th Round (46th Overall) by the Flyers in the 2014 MJHL Bantam Draft.   “I’m excited to get this season started with the Flyers as another step in my hockey career and I can’t wait to play for this great organization.” said Bestland.   Aaron Brunn is a 5’8”, 160lbs goaltender from Morden, Manitoba. He made 37 starts for the Hawks last season, finishing with a record of 20-16-1. He finished with a 2.90 GAA and a .900 SV% with two shutouts. Brunn has proven that he can be a winner at the AAA level and will look to continue that success at the Junior level. Brunn did make a start for the Flyers during the 2015-16 season.   “I’m excited about being able to sign with the Winkler Flyers.” said Brunn.   “I am looking forward to being able to play in front of family and friends. Having a good relationship with the coaching staff and players should help make the transition from AAA to Junior a lot easier.” added Brunn.   The Flyers would like to officially welcome Everett, Aaron and their families to the Flyers organization. Please stay tuned for more player signings and other Flyers’ news in the days and weeks to come.    

The Winkler Flyers added nine more prospects to the fold during the Manitoba Junior Hockey League Bantam Draft, Sunday in Winnipeg. The Flyers drafted seven Manitoba born players and selected two players from Winkler with their Auto-Protect picks as the club continues to build their team for not only the upcoming season, but for the future.   “We are very happy with the players we added today.” said Flyers Head Scout and Assistant General Manager Craig Anderson.   “I think we got a good mix of players. There is a lot of skill, grit and character in the guys we selected and I can’t wait to see how they will continue to improve in the years to come.” added Anderson.   Below is a breakdown of the seven drafted players and the two Auto-Protected players. The Flyers took four forwards and three defensemen in the draft and the Auto-Protects consist of one forward and one defenseman all born in 2002.   ROUND 1 – PICK 10: CALDER ANDERSON (FORWARD) Team: Brandon Wheat Kings (Bantam AAA) Hometown: Brandon, Manitoba Height: 5’8” Weight: 146lbs Scouts Comments: Skilled, gritty player that works hard. Makes an impression on the game in all areas.   ROUND 2 – PICK 21: HAYDEN FORREST (DEFENSE) Team: Winnipeg Monarchs (Bantam AAA) Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba Height: 5’8” Weight: 150lbs Scouts Comments: Puck moving Defenseman with very good hockey sense.   ROUND 3 – PICK 30: KYLE LAMOUREUX (DEFENSE) Team: Winnipeg Warriors (Bantam AAA) Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba Height: 5’10” Weight: 134lbs Scouts Comments: Elite skater, strong puck moving Defenseman that plays in a lot of key situations.   ROUND 3 – PICK 32: MITCH THIESSEN (FORWARD) Team: Brandon Wheat Kings (Bantam AAA) Hometown: Brandon, Manitoba Height: 5’8” Weight: 143lbs Scouts Comments: Two way Forward, strong, skates well with a good shot. Plays against other teams top lines.   ROUND 5 – PICK 54: ANTON URUSKI (DEFENSE) Team: Winnipeg Monarchs (Bantam AAA) Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba Height: 5’8” Weight: 148lbs Scouts Comments: Physical, two way Defenseman. Good on special teams.   ROUND 6 – PICK 57: GRAEME PATRICK (FORWARD) Team: Winnipeg Sharks (Bantam AAA) Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba Height:6’0” Weight: 149lbs Scouts Comments: Big power Forward that skates well. Starting to develop into his game.   ROUND 6 – PICK 65: NATHANAEL HINDS (FORWARD) Team: Winnipeg Warriors (Bantam AAA) Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba Height: 5’10” Weight: 151lbs Scouts Comments: Highly skilled Forward, creates chances and makes everyone around him better.   AUTO-PROTECT: LIAM FRIESEN (FORWARD) Team: Winkler Flyers (Bantam AA) Hometown: Winkler, Manitoba Height: 5’11” Weight: 150lbs Scouts Comments: Skilled forward that skates well. Gets involved in the play.   AUTO-PROTECT: RYLAN THOMAS (DEFENSE) Team: Winkler Flyers (Bantam AA) Hometown: Winkler, Manitoba Height: 5’4” Weight: 115lbs Scouts Comments: Puck moving defenseman, with great compete level.   The Winkler Flyers are pleased to welcome all nine of these players and their families to the organization and look forward to seeing them at Main Camp in August.  

The Winkler Flyers have announced a number or trades now that the Manitoba Junior Hockey League off-season trading period has officially begun. The Orange and Black have traded F Braden Billaney (98) to the Virden Oil Capitals to complete the deal that saw F Tanner Lewis (96) come to the Flyers at the December 1st roster deadline last season. In a separate move, the Flyers have acquired top prospect F Jayden McCarthy (01) from the Dauphin Kings in exchange for prospect F Alex Catanni (01).   Billaney is the “Future Considerations” in the original trade with Virden that saw the Flyers acquire Lewis and a 4th Round draft pick in the 2017 MJHL Bantam Draft in exchange for a 5th Round draft pick (originally owned by Virden) as well as future considerations. Billaney played the past two seasons in Winkler.   “Braden was a good player on the ice for us the past two seasons and played with his heart on his sleeve. I’d like to wish him all the best in Virden.” said Flyers Head Coach and General Manager Ken Pearson.   The second trade has the Flyers picking up forward prospect Jayden McCarthy (01) and a 6th Round draft pick in exchange for forward prospect Alex Cattani (01) and a 4th Round draft pick (acquired from Virden).   McCarthy is a 5’10”, 185lbs centre from Morris, Manitoba and played this past season with the Pembina Valley Hawks of the Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League. There, he had 28 points (12 goals – 16 assists) and 68 penalty minutes in 44 regular season games played. McCarthy was taken in the first round, third overall in the 2016 MJHL Bantam Draft by the Kings.   “Jayden is an extremely skilled hockey player.” said Pembina Valley Hawks Head Coach Rylan Price.   “His stick handling is top notch and he can score goals. He has a wicked wrist shot and can stick handle in a phone booth. I can see him developing into true number one centre in both the offensive and defensive zones. He is a good person as well. The Flyers are bringing in a really good character kid.” added Price   The Flyers would like to welcome Jayden to the Flyers’ Family and would also like to wish Alex all the best in the Kings organization. The Flyers would also like to thank Braden and his family for everything over the past two seasons and wish him nothing but the best in Virden.   Stay tuned for more information regarding player signings and draft information in the coming days. The Manitoba Junior Hockey League Bantam Draft will take place at 9:00am on Sunday, June 4th in Winnipeg. Follow the Flyers’ Facebook and Twitter accounts for pick by pick draft information. You can also follow the entire draft on www.mjhlhockey.ca.

The Winkler Flyers Main Camp – 2017 will run August 30th to September 2nd. After a full three days of practices and games, the final 40 players will compete in the Alumni Cup (Intrasquad Game) on September 2nd at noon. After two straight trips in the MJHL Semi-Finals, the Flyers are preparing for another solid season. All events are open to the public. The schedule for Winkler Flyers Main Camp – 2017 will be released at a later date. To register for Winkler Flyers Main Camp – 2017 (INVITE ONLY) please click on the link below.