Hayden Wheddon is putting together a season to remember in his final year of junior hockey.
The Stonewall product leads the Manitoba Junior Hockey League in scoring at the Christmas break, pacing the first-place Niverville Nighthawks with 15 goals and 31 assists in 30 games.
Wheddon is one of several Nighthawks enjoying breakout campaigns this season. Much of the roster is trending toward career highs in production as Niverville continues to sit atop the MJHL standings with a 27-2-1 record.
At the Christmas break, the Nighthawks were ranked first in the MJHL and second overall in the Canadian Junior Hockey League. They also held two of the league’s top three scorers, including Wheddon, who leads the MJHL in points.
The 20-year-old winger is in his second stint with the Nighthawks after departing the club during the 2023–24 season to play for the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings.
After returning to Niverville last season and recording 29 points, Wheddon has taken his game to another level this year, emerging as a dominant offensive force in his final season of eligibility.
“Last season was a great stepping stone for me,” said Wheddon. “There were some ups and downs, but I think we came into this season with a winning mindset — and everyone on the team has. We have a tight group that’s really bought in this year.”
Now serving as an alternate captain, Wheddon has embraced a leadership role on a veteran-laden Nighthawks roster, passing along experience and guidance to younger teammates.
Those leadership qualities trace back to his minor hockey days with the Interlake Lightning.
“We just try to make everyone comfortable, whether it’s a newly traded player or a first-year guy in the league,” said Wheddon. “Bonding off the ice really helps, and we just try to make it easy for everyone to enjoy their year.”
Wheddon isn’t the only Lightning alumnus making an impact in Niverville — or even on the Nighthawks’ top line.
Skating alongside him is Gimli’s Adam Vigfusson, who sits third in MJHL scoring. The two have known each other since they were five years old.
“Coming from a place where sometimes people don’t get those opportunities, playing together — especially on the same team and the same line — it’s pretty cool,” said Wheddon. “Adam and I have known each other for a long time, and we’re pretty close off the ice too, so it’s great to do this with him.”
Together, Wheddon and Vigfusson will look to help lead Niverville to its first MJHL championship this spring.
The Nighthawks have 28 regular-season games remaining before the start of the Turnbull Cup playoffs. A championship would earn Niverville its first-ever berth at the Centennial Cup, scheduled for May 7–17 in Summerside, P.E.I.
“Everyone — including myself — is really looking forward to how the rest of the season plays out,” said Wheddon. “We all want to win so bad. It’s been so much fun this year, and I’m really excited for what’s ahead.”
Following his junior career, Wheddon hopes to continue playing at the university level.
