Graduating Winkler Flyers’ Captain Connor Hamonic has accepted a scholarship to play for the University of Wisconsin-Superior Yellow Jackets (NCAA Div III) for the 2017-18 season. The Winnipeg native suited up for 228 regular season games over his four year junior hockey career, which is the most of any Flyers’ player during that stretch.   "Playing in Winkler the past 4 seasons has pushed me each and every day to better myself both on and off the ice." said Hamonic.   The 6’1”, 198lbs defenseman had 80 regular season points (12 goals – 68 assists) and 333 penalty minutes during his time in an Orange and Black uniform. He also accounted for nine points (1 goal – 8 assists) in 30 playoff games. He was also a tremendous leader off the ice, volunteering many hours to schools, minor hockey and other community volunteer projects.   "The expectations from the coaching staff and the town to win night in and night out is a constant motivator to put in the work necessary to be at your best every day." added Hamonic.   "My time with the Flyers taught me how to be a role model around town and conduct myself in a professional manner while at the rink and in the community. I hope to bring everything I have learned in Winkler with me to Superior"   Hamonic joins D Lawson McDonald (University of Nebraska-Omaha – NCAA Div I), D Tyler Jubenvill (Bemidji State – NCAA Div I) and D Tyler Lindstrom (Currey College – NCAA Div III) as committed players from the 2016-2017 Flyers roster.   The Flyers congratulate Connor on his decision to continue his hockey career and education at Wisconsin-Superior and wish him and the Yellow Jackets all the best in the year to come.

The Winkler Flyers are pleased to announce that graduating defenseman Tyler Lindstrom has committed to the Curry College Colonels (NCAA Div III) for the 2017-2018 season. The Brooklyn Park, Minnesota native played parts of two seasons with the Flyers and is now one of three players committed to a Collegiate hockey program.   Lindstrom (96) recorded 15 points (4 goals – 11 assists) in 61 regular season games played for the Flyers over the past two seasons. The 6’0”, 180lbs defenseman also had four points (1 goal – 3 assists) during the 2016-2017 post-season, scoring the triple overtime game winner in Game One of the MJHL Quarterfinals against the Virden Oil Capitals.   Lindstrom joins D Lawson McDonald (University of Nebraska-Omaha – NCAA Div I) and D Tyler Jubenvill (Bemidji State – NCAA Div I) as committed players from the 2016-2017 Flyers roster.   The Flyers congratulate Tyler on his decision to continue his hockey career and education at Curry College. Former Flyer F Jordy Williamson is also a member of the Colonels.

The Winkler Flyers Golf Tournament, presented by Green Valley Equipment, will take place at the Winkler Centennial Golf Course on Saturday, June 10th. The tournament will be a four person, best ball format and is open to all skill levels. The Winkler Flyers are coming off another successful season and are looking forward connecting with their supporters, former players and fans.  Our players and staff have been deeply involved with the community and this tournament is an opportunity for them to interact and communicate with members of the community away from the competitive environment of the arena. Included in the tournament are 18 holes of golf, power cart, steak supper, and various prizes. There will be a silent auction taking place throughout the day with many great items up for grabs. There will also be a longest drive award (Men’s & Women’s), closest to the pin. Each golfer will also receive Flyers gift package just for registering. PRICE: FOURSOME WITH HOLE SPONSORSHIP: $700 FOURSOME: $500 INDIVIDUAL GOLFER: $130 MEAL ONLY: $35 REGISTRATION AT 11AM – TEE OFF AT NOON This fundraising golf tournament is a great way to celebrate a successful season, and also to look forward to even more success in 2017-2018. To register, click on the online registration link below, email Matt Friesen ([email protected]) or call the Flyers office at 204-325-9411. Go Flyers Go!

The Winkler Flyers are in search of a new Trainer and Equipment Manager for the 2017-2018 season. For more details on this position please contact Head Coach and General Manager, Ken Pearson via email or phone at [email protected] or 204-325-9411.

The Winkler Flyers season came to an unfortunate end on Thursday night with a 6-2 loss to the OCN Blizzard in Game Four of the MJHL Semi-Final. It was a frustrating series for the Flyers, who played good enough to win all four games but ran into the goaltending of Brett Epp and a solid Blizzard defense.   With their backs against the wall after losing a close one the night before in Game Three, the Orange and Black needed a win in Game Four to keep their season alive and force Game Five back at home. The frustrating part for the Flyers in this series was that they had out chanced and out shot the Blizzard but had very little to show for it.   It was a bit of a nerve wracking first period with OCN looking to take the early jump in this potential series clinching game for the Blizzard. For the fourth time in the series, OCN scored first on a goal by Lantz Hiebert just before the four minute mark of the second. Nearly five minutes later the Blizzard doubled their lead to 2-0 and the Flyers were in a hole halfway through the game.   The Flyers power-play, which had gone 0-for-11 in the first three games, finally connected with 8:49 to play in the middle frame. Taking a nice pass from Scott Gall, Gino Lucia sent a shot into the far side of the net for his first goal of the post-season. With less than three minutes to play before the break, Matt Christian finished off a nice passing play with Lucia and Nolan McGuire and the game was tied 2-2 thanks to Christian’s third of the playoffs.   The Flyers had a tough test to start the third period, being forced to kill off a 5-on-3 power-play coming out of the intermission. After passing that test, Winkler went on the power-play themselves but failed to take their first lead of the series. OCN would catch a break just seconds after the Winkler power-play ended, as Justin Nachbaur was sent in on a breakaway after stepping out of the penalty box and he put OCN back in front 3-2.   Just over two minutes later, Nachbaur scored again, this time on the power-play and the Blizzard lead had grown to 4-2. Having already erased a two goal lead earlier in the game, the Flyers kept pressing for more offense.   However, the OCN defense would not break as the Blizzard added an empty net goal in the final minutes and tacked on another one for good measure to clinch the series with a 6-2 win on home ice.   Troy Martyniuk made 26 saves in the game as the Flyers would outshoot OCN for the third straight game by a count of 32-30. Winkler went 1-for-7 on the power-play and 4-for-5 on the penalty-kill.   This is the second straight season that the Flyers have been eliminated in the MJHL Semi-Finals and the first time since 2006 that the Blizzard have advanced to the final series.   The Flyers would like to thank their graduating 20 year old players for all of their hard work and dedication to the organization and to the community. Four year players Scott Gall and Connor Hamonic, third year forward Jeff Michiels, as well as Brayden Cullum, Tanner Lewis, Nathan Peabody, Tyler Lindstrom and Ian Mackey.   The organization would also like to thank all their supporters, fans, volunteers and billets for their tremendous support throughout the season and look forward to seeing you again during the 2017-2018 campaign.   GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS 1ST STAR – G BRETT EPP (OCN) 2ND STAR – F GINO LUCIA (WINKLER) 3RD STAR – F JUSTIN NACHBAUR (OCN)   GAME STATS

Despite an unbelievable effort on the road, the Winkler Flyers lost 3-1 to the OCN Blizzard in Game Three of their best of seven Semi-Final series. Ian Mackey scored the lone goal for the Flyers who deserved a better fate for the third straight game.   Playing their first game on the road in the series, the Flyers were looking to cut OCN’s lead in the series to 2-1. After dropping the first two games at home, despite playing more than good enough to win both games, the Flyers needed to find a way to solve Blizzard netminder Brett Epp. The OCN goaltender had frustrated Winkler shooters in the first two games and was instrumental in the Blizzard taking the first two games on the road.   The first period belonged to Winkler, but for the third time in the series it was the Blizzard who scored first. Taking advantage of a fortunate bounce in front of the net, Daylon Campbell gave OCN a 1-0 lead with 7:37 left in the opening period.   Winkler carried the play in the second period as well and with 8:55 gone in the period, Ian Mackey banged in a loose puck in front of the net to tie the game 1-1. Matt Christian and Coltyn Bates assisted on Mackey’s third of the postseason.   Outshooting OCN 26-18 through 40 minutes, the Flyers were looking to catch a break in the third and get back into the series. Just past the four minute mark of the final period OCN regained the lead. After a sensational stop by goaltender Troy Martyniuk, the puck made its way to Tristan Elie who scored OCN’s second goal of the game.   OCN goaltender Brett Epp was the story of the game again, stopping at least three breakaways in the final period to keep his team in the lead. With the Flyers on the attack again late in regulation, the Blizzard added an empty net goal in the dying seconds to secure the 3-1 victory and the 3-0 lead in the series.   The Flyers outshot OCN 33-26 overall. Both teams were 0-for-3 on the power-play.   The Flyers will look to keep their season alive on Thursday night in Game Four, trailing the best of seven Semi-Final series 3-0. Puck drop at the Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre is 7pm with Matt Friesen’s pregame show live on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com getting underway at 6:55pm.   GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS 1ST STAR – G BRETT EPP (OCN) 2ND STAR – D LAWSON McDONALD (WINKLER) 3RD STAR – F IAN MACKEY (WINKLER)   GAME STATS

OCN forward Jeremy Dumont scored 50 seconds into overtime to give the Blizzard a 3-2 win over the Flyers on Sunday night and a 2-0 lead in the Semi-Final series. Despite tying the game late in regulation, and out chancing and out shooting their opponent, the Flyers dropped their second straight game of this best of seven series.   After losing 2-0 in the series opener the night before, the Flyers came out of the gate strong in Game Two, looking to even up the series before heading up north for Game’s Three and Four. Aided by three power-plays in the first, the Flyers outshot OCN 16-4 in the period but failed to find the target.   The Blizzard hit the scoreboard first with their second power-play goal of the series just 1:57 into the second frame. It was the sixth time in eight playoff games that the Flyers had given up the first goal of the game.   With 8:24 left in the period, the Flyers tied the game 1-1 when Brett Opperman fed the puck into the slot to Nathan Peabody who beat OCN goaltender Brett Epp for the first time in the series. Jeff Michiels snapped a 14 game pointless drought with the second assist.   With the Flyers outshooting OCN 25-13, the game went tied 1-1 into the third period. The Blizzard regained their lead just before the five minute mark of the third, when the Keeper brothers connected for a pretty goal to put OCN back on top 2-1.   The Flyers spent the rest of the period looking for the equalizer, and with 1:54 left on the clock they got it. Battling for position in front of the Blizzard net, Jeff Michiels redirected Braden Billaney’s shot from the left wing circle, tying the game 2-2. After the rest of regulation solved nothing, the Flyers were headed to overtime for the fourth time in the post-season.   However, the ending was not what the Flyers had hoped for, as Jeremy Dumont would track down a loose puck in front of the Winkler net and score the game winner just 50 seconds into period four.   Troy Martyniuk took the loss, making 22 saves overall. Winkler outshot the Blizzard 38-25 in the game. Winkler went 0-for-5 on the power-play and 1-for-2 on the penalty-kill.   With the Blizzard now leading the best of seven series 2-0, the series will shift to OCN for Game’s Three and Four on Wednesday and Thursday. Both games can be heard live on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com with Matt Friesen’s pregame show at 6:55pm. Puck drop both nights at the Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre is 7pm.   The Green Valley Equipment 50-50 of $1140 went unclaimed on Sunday night. Winning ticket # is DD-134111. Email [email protected] if you have that ticket. Or call the Flyers office at 204-325-9411.   GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS 1ST STAR – D BRADY KEEPER (OCN) 2ND STAR – F JEFF MICHIELS (WINKLER) 3RD STAR – F JEREMY DUMONT (OCN)   GAME STATS

The OCN Blizzard drew first blood with a 2-0 win over the Winkler Flyers in Game One of their MJHL Semifinal series. Despite generating a number of great chances in front of the OCN net, the Flyers failed to beat Blizzard netminder Brett Epp in the series opener.   After splitting their six game season series, the Flyers welcomed the Blizzard to kick off the second round of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League playoffs. During the regular season, the home team had won four of the six meetings, with Winkler outshooting OCN in all six games.   It was an aggressive first period by the Blizzard as they looked to get the upper hand in the series after beating Winnipeg in five games in round one. In the first round against Virden, the Flyers didn’t have much trouble keeping the puck out of their net 5-on-5, it was special teams that was the problem. Entering play on Saturday, just four of the 13 goals allowed by Winkler in the playoffs were scored 5-on-5. In Game One against OCN, none of the goals scored by the Blizzard came 5-on-5 either.   OCN would strike first on the power-play just before the game was seven minutes old, and would take their 1-0 lead into the second period.   Winkler fought back in the middle period but failed to draw even before intermission. The third period saw the Flyers out shoot OCN 14-8 and create a lot of quality opportunities but the goals just would not come for Winkler in Game One.   With less than a minute left in regulation and with goaltender Troy Martyniuk on the bench in favor of the extra attacker, the Blizzard would double their lead to 2-0 and would go on to win the first game of the best of seven series.   Troy Martyniuk played well for Winkler, allowing just one goal on 30 shots. The Blizzard outshot the Flyers 31-30 overall. Winkler went 0-for-2 on the power-play and 2-for-3 on the penalty-kill.   The Flyers will host the Blizzard in Game Two of the series on Sunday, March 26th. Puck drop at the Winkler Recreation Complex is 7:30pm with the pregame show on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com getting underway at 7:25pm. Advance tickets are available at the Winkler Coop Gas Bar or at the door prior to the game.   GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS 1ST STAR – G BRETT EPP (OCN) 2ND STAR – G TROY MARTYNIUK (WINKLER) 3RD STAR – F JEREMY DUMONT (OCN)   GAME STATS

The Winkler Flyers will host the OCN Blizzard in Game One of the MJHL Semi-Finals on Saturday, March 25th. After eliminating the Virden Oil Capitals in the Quarter-Finals, Winkler looks to advance to their first league final in 19 years when they take on a Blizzard team that played them tight all season long.   The Flyers came out on top after a grueling six game series with Virden. Three of the six games went to overtime, with two of those games going to double overtime and one to triple overtime. The Blizzard took down the Winnipeg Blues in five games in their Quarter-Finals series. The Flyers and Blizzard split their six game regular season series with OCN outscoring the Flyers 14-13 in the process. Winkler outshot OCN in all six games.   Discipline and special teams will be key for the Flyers in this series as OCN was the most penalized team in the league this year (285 times short-handed). The Flyers on the other hand, have been the most penalized team during the playoffs (31 times short-handed).   Scroll down for the series schedule and ticket prices for the second round, as well as the statistical breakdown of the two teams as the get set to meet in the playoffs for the second straight season. __________________________________________________________________________ Game 1: OCN @ Winkler, Saturday, March 25th (7:30pm) Game2: OCN @ Winkler, Sunday, March 26th (7:30pm) Game 3: Winkler @ OCN, Wednesday, March 29th (7pm) Game 4: Winkler @ OCN, Thursday, March 30th (7pm) Game 5: OCN @ Winkler, Saturday, April 1st (7:30pm) *if necessary Game 6: Winkler @ OCN, Monday, April 3rd (7pm) *if necessary Game 7: OCN @ Winkler, Wednesday, April 5th (7:30pm) *if necessary – All playoff games can be heard live on Country 88.9FM and online at www.pembinavalleyonline.com. You can also video stream the games with a subscription to www.hockeytv.com __________________________________________________________________________ TICKET PRICES: ADULT (19+) – $14 STUDENTS (13-18) – $8 CHILD (6-12) – $5 CHILDREN UNDER 5 – FREE – All tickets will be available at the Winkler Coop Gas Bar or at the arena door prior to the game. Make sure you fill out the back of your game ticket and enter the draw in the arena lobby for a chance to win 1 of 15 free car washes from Winkler Coop as well as the $100 Coop Petroleum Gift Card that will be given away each game. The Winkler Coop is the proud sponsor of the MJHL Semi-Finals. ______________________________________________________________________________   Regular Season   WINKLER (2ND) (41-16-3=85PTS) at home (23-6-1) on road (18-10-2) OCN (3RD) (39-17-4=82PTS)  at home (21-6-3) on road (18-11-1) ________________________________________________________________________________ – The Flyers eliminated the Virden Oil Capitals in six games in their MJHL Quarterfinal series. Three of the six games went to OT (2 Double OT and 1 Triple OT).   – Of the 18 goals scored by Winkler in the playoffs, 6 have come on the PP (33%). The Flyers scored a PP goal in 5 of the 6 games. The Flyers allowed 13 goals in the 1st round, with 8 of those goals scored with an extra man on the ice (7PP – 1EN) – (62%)   – OCN beat Winnipeg in five games in their Quarterfinal series. During the series, the Blizzard were tied or leading for all but five minutes and 20 seconds.   – The Flyers split their six game season series with OCN with the Blizzard outscoring the Flyers 14-13 in those six games. Winkler outshot OCN in all six meetings.   – OCN was the most penalized team during the regular season (285 times short-handed). Winkler is the most penalized team in the playoffs (31 times short-handed) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________  FLYERS:  GOALS FOR – 219 (4TH) (3.65 PER GAME)                GOALS AGAINST – 148 (2ND) (2.47 PER GAME)   OCN:      GOALS FOR – 200 (5TH) (3.33 PER GAME)                GOALS AGAINST – 153 (3RD) (2.55 PER GAME) _____________________________________________________________________________________   SPECIAL TEAMS   REGULAR SEASON FLYERS – PP 6TH (17.06%)                 PK 3RD (83.88%) OCN  – PP 3RD (19.77%)                  PK 2ND (84.91%)   PLAYOFFS FLYERS – PP 2ND (23.08%)                  PK 6TH (77.92%) OCN  – PP 4TH (19.51%)                  PK 1ST (90.91%) _________________________________________________________________________ REGULAR SEASON SERIES BREAKDOWN   GAME ONE (Oct 21 in Winkler) FLYERS 5 BLIZZARD 1 / SHOTS 39-17 FLYERS / PP 2-7 PK 7-7   Gino Lucia opened the scoring just over a minute into the game and Nolan McGuire scored SH midway thru the 1st and Winkler led 2-0 after one. Coltyn Bates added a PP goal in the 2nd and the Flyers had a three goal lead entering the third period. Lawson McDonald and Will Blake both scored in the opening 4 minutes of the 3rd to give Winkler a 5-0 lead. Kyle Wiltshire finally beat Cole Weaver with 15 minutes left in the game and the Flyers went on to win 5-1   GOALIES: WINKLER – COLE WEAVER / OCN – BRETT EPP       GAME TWO (Oct 22 in Winkler) FLYERS 2 BLIZZARD 1 / SHOTS 39-36 FLYERS / PP 0-4 PK 4-4   Much better effort from the Blizzard than the night before and the two teams went into the first intermission in a scoreless tie. Lucia opened the scoring again midway thru the 2nd for Winkler and Nolan McGuire doubled Winkler's lead to 2-0 midway through the 3rd. OCN cut Winkler's lead to 2-1 with 7:35 left but the Flyers would hang on for the win.   GOALIES: WINKLER – JOSH WILLIAMS / OCN – EMILIEM BOILY     GAME THREE (Nov 5 in OCN) BLIZZARD 3 FLYERS 1 / SHOTS 35-29 FLYERS / PP 0-8 PK 2-4   Good first period by Winkler as Braden Billaney scored just before the midway point of the first, giving Winkler a 1-0 lead. Lantz Hiebert scored a PP goal for OCN before the break and the game was tied 1-1 after one. The Blizzard scored twice more in the 2nd and led 3-1 after 40 minutes. Winkler dominated the third, outshooting OCN 16-4 in the period, but failed to get back into the game, losing 3-1.   GOALIES: WINKLER – JOSH WILLIAMS / OCN – EMILIEM BOILY   GAME FOUR (Nov 6 in OCN) FLYERS 3 OCN 2 (OT) / SHOTS 36-21 FLYERS / PP 0-2 PK 5-5   Brayden Cullum gave Winkler a 1-0 lead early in the first before George King tied it up for the Blizzard after 20 minutes. King then scored his second of the game with 6 mins left in the second period to send the OCN Blizzard into the third period with a 2-1 lead. However, Ian Mackey tied it up 2-2 with 12:15 left in the third to force OT. Nolan McGuire would then score the game winner just 44 seconds into the extra period.   GOALIES: WINKLER – JOSH WILLIAMS / OCN – BRETT EPP   GAME FIVE (Jan 28 in OCN) OCN 2 FLYERS 0 / SHOTS 35-26 FLYERS / PP 0-1 PK 2-3   After a scoreless 1st period, Tristan Elie scored on the power-play midway thru the 2nd to give OCN a 1-0 lead. Winkler came firing out of the gate in the third and outshot the Blizzard 15-5 in the final period, but the Blizzard would add to their lead with just over 5 minutes left and would go on to win the game 2-0.   GOALIES: WINKLER – COLE WEAVER / OCN – BRETT EPP   GAME SIX (Feb 21 in Winkler) OCN 5 Flyers 2 / SHOTS 36-21 FLYERS / PP 0-8 PK 3-5   OCN scored twice in the 1st period despite Winkler outplaying and outshooting the Blizzard in the first 20 minutes. Another PP goal by the Blizzard made it 3-0 midway thru the second. Winkler cut OCN's lead to 3-1 late in the period when Will Blake put the Flyers on the board. The Flyers outshot OCN 14-5 in the third period as well but it was the Blizzard who added to their lead with 2 straight goals to start the period. Matt Christian scored late in the game to make it 5-2 OCN but the damage was already done.   GOALIES: WINKLER – COLE WEAVER / OCN – BRETT EPP

The Winkler Flyers are off to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League Semifinals for the second straight year after beating the Virden Oil Capitals 4-1 in Game Six on Sunday night. Nolan McGuire scored a pair of goals for the Flyers, who eliminated the Oil Caps four games to two.   Riding the high after a double overtime win in Game Five on Friday, the Flyers travelled back to Virden looking to punch their ticket to the next round. After holding off the Virden power-play in Game Five, the Orange and Black were a much more disciplined team in their series clinching win.   The Oil Caps played desperate hockey in the first and scored the game’s opening goal with just 24 seconds left before intermission. During the regular season and through the first five playoff games, the Flyers trailed their opponent after 20 minutes just 13 times. However, in those games Winkler had come back to win the game just once.   The Flyers comeback effort started early in the middle period when Nolan McGuire banged home a loose puck in the crease on the power-play, tying the game 1-1. Will Blake and Tyler Jubenvill assisted on the goal, 2:59 into the second period. The Flyers outshot Virden 16-10 in the second and the game went tied 1-1 into the third.   With three of the first five games being decided in overtime, including Game’s Four and Five on Thursday and Friday, the Flyers had a plan to finish it in the third. Just past the seven minute mark of the third, the Flyers took advantage of a Virden pinch in the neutral zone, sending Gino Lucia and Nolan McGuire racing into the attacking zone on a two on one. Carrying the puck down the right wing side, Lucia sent the pass over to McGuire who potted his second of the night to give Winkler their first lead of the game.   Will Blake, who also assisted on the goal, scored around seven minutes later to push Winkler ahead 3-1. Nolan McGuire and Ian Mackey assisted on Blake’s second of the playoffs.  The final nail in the coffin came with 2:28 to play when Brett Opperman stripped a Virden defender of the puck and scored on the ensuing breakaway to put Winkler in front by three goals.   The Flyers would go on to win the game 4-1 and win the series 4-2. It was truly and very entertaining series with two of the games needing double overtime and one game needing triple overtime to decide a winner. Thirteen of the Thirty One goals scored in the series came on the power-play and 19 of those goals came in the third period.   Troy Martyniuk was the star of the series for Winkler making 33 saves in the series clinching win. Martyniuk finished the series stopped 203 of the 215 shots he faced in six games (.944 Save Percentage). Winkler outshot Virden 43-34 overall. The Flyers were 1-for-4 on the power-play and 2-for-2 on the penalty-kill. After allowing seven power-play goals in the first four games, Winkler was a perfect 8-for-8 on the penalty-kill in Game’s Five and Six combined.   The Flyers will now wait to see who they will face in the next round of the playoffs. More information will be available on www.winklerflyers.com in the coming days.   The Flyers would like to congratulate the Virden Oil Capitals on a tremendous series.   GREAT CANADIAN OIL CHANGE THREE STARS 1ST STAR – F NOLAN McGUIRE (WINKLER) 2ND STAR – F WILL BLAKE (WINKLER) 3RD STAR – G TROY MARTYNIUK (WINKLER)   GAME STATS