It’s been a near-perfect start to the season for the Selkirk Steelers.
Five games, five victories and sole possession of first place in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
On Monday, the undefeated Steelers were named the No. 1 team in the country in the initial Canadian Junior Hockey League Top 20 rankings.
Head coach Hudson Friesen is pleased with how things have started.
“That’s great to get recognized for the start we’ve had, and I mean, at the end of the day it’s just a ranking and we’ve still got lots of work to do. But it’s good for the guys to get rewarded for the start and how well they’ve played,” said Friesen.
And while winning all five of your first games is the ideal start any team would want, getting hot early may carry some déjà vu for Steelers fans.
On paper, their start has been almost identical to last year’s, when Selkirk opened the 2024-25 season with a 10-game win streak — but later missed the postseason.
Finding early success again, the Steelers believe they’ve learned from their past. And despite what history says, winning your first five games is certainly better than any alternative.
“We’re playing a much more sustainable brand of hockey,” said Friesen. “We’ve got lots of work to do still, but we’re obviously happy with the way things have gone here off the start.”
The Steelers also have a multitude of returning players from last year’s team who now understand the grind of a full MJHL season. They’ve shown plenty of promise as a team capable of scoring and defending at a high level so far in 2025-26.
Last week they went 3-0 in games against the Winnipeg Blues, Swan Valley Stampeders and reigning champion Northern Manitoba Blizzard — all at home at the Selkirk Recreation Complex.
The win over the Blues on Tuesday kicked off a dominant week, as the Steelers scored in each period en route to a 5-3 victory.
Rohan Guevarra led the club with three points, including a goal, while Ethan Sawyer collected his second win of the season. Jules Delepoulle, Landon Pue, Owen Branson and Tristen Bailey had the other goals as the Steelers kept the streak going.
On Friday, they exploded for five goals in the second period against the Stampeders, leading to a 6-2 win at home.
Sawyer again earned the victory, while Griffin Krone netted two goals to lead the offence. Wyatt Witham, Isaac Sousa, Evan Mayer and Pue also tallied to contribute to the Steelers’ offensive outburst.
The Steelers then hosted the reigning champs on Saturday, with both teams scoring in the first period.
Things remained tied 1-1 after Pue’s first-period marker and stayed that way until a strong third period by the Steelers.
The Guevarra-Witham-Hlady line broke free for a pair of goals in the final frame, with each player factoring in. Guevarra and Witham both scored, while Hlady picked up two assists as the veterans led the club to a 3-1 win. Hudson Hunnie earned the victory in net.
Friesen called it his team’s best game so far.
“It’s great to win some close games like that, for the team to learn how to win in tight situations in the third period,” he said.
The Steelers now prepare for a busy October that includes 12 games, starting Wednesday against the Winnipeg Monarchs.
After Wednesday’s contest, they’ll play back-to-back games Friday and Saturday against the Blizzard, with both matchups on the road at Roy H. Johnston Arena.
Upcoming games:
Wednesday, Oct. 1 – at Winnipeg Monarchs, 7:30 p.m., Hockey for All Centre
Friday, Oct. 3 – at Northern Manitoba Blizzard, 7 p.m., Roy H. Johnston Arena
Saturday, Oct. 4 – at Northern Manitoba Blizzard, 7 p.m., Roy H. Johnston Arena
