The South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League is set for another winter of senior hockey, with the 2025-26 regular season scheduled to open Oct. 24.
The SEMHL confirmed at its semi-annual meeting on Sept. 16 that its nine teams will each play 18 regular season games — nine at home and nine on the road. The campaign will wrap up Feb. 7 before all teams advance to the postseason.
This year’s playoff format will once again feature a Survivor Series between the eighth- and ninth-place teams. The club finishing eighth will have the option of starting the two-game series at home or away. If the teams split the series, the deciding second game will continue into overtime until a winner is determined. From there, the Survivor Series winner will advance to face the first-place finisher in the opening round. Both the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds will be best-of-five, while the championship final will be decided in a best-of-seven series.
For the Carman Beavers, anticipation is high. “It’s always great to start a new season,” said general manager Lorne Zacharias. “We have a young team with a few new faces and we’re excited to get back on the ice.”
While acknowledging the group’s youth, Zacharias is optimistic about their progress. “We continue to gain more experience and hope to compete,” he said.
On the Survivor Series format, Zacharias said it gives every team a fair chance at playoff hockey and fits the league’s calendar. “With the regular season ending in early February, it seems appropriate,” he added. He noted the eighth-place option to start at home or away may make some difference, but often it comes down to ice availability: “Ice time can be difficult to come by at that time of year.”
Zacharias also supports the SEMHL’s playoff structure. “Best-of-five until the final and then best-of-seven seems appropriate,” he said.
With nine teams in the mix this year, Zacharias expects tight competition. “I hope this will create a little more parity in the league,” he said, though he acknowledged that clubs from smaller communities face challenges drawing players. Recruiting and retaining talent, he added, has become tougher as the level of play continues to rise. “More junior players are finishing their competitive hockey playing in the SEMHL. Remaining competitive is more of a challenge in these times.”
Beyond the rink, Zacharias underlined the Beavers’ deep roots in Carman. “The Carman Beavers have been a long-time institution in this community and we hope to continue to provide a positive identity and place for local players to compete,” he said. Fans, he added, are vital to keeping senior hockey strong: “Hockey is always more fun when we have good crowds that support the team.”
The SEMHL will release its full regular season schedule in the coming weeks.
