By Lana Meier, with files from Kieran Reimer
Stonewall Jets forward Gavin Holod has earned early-season league recognition while establishing himself as one of the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League’s most dangerous offensive threats.
Stonewall Jets general manager Liam Wheddon (left) presents Gavin Holod with the Manitoba Major Junior Hockey League Player of the Month plaque for November 2025
Holod was named the MMJHL’s Player of the Month for November 2025, recognition that reflected his consistent production and nightly impact during the opening stretch of the season.
“He’s been consistent every night,” said Stonewall Jets head coach Pat Power. “He brings that effort and compete on a nightly basis, and that’s allowed him to be successful.”
Holod has since taken sole possession of the league’s scoring lead. Through 28 games, the Stonewall forward has amassed 45 points, recording 10 goals and 35 assists. He leads Jets teammate Peyton Bateman, who sits second overall with 42 points in 23 games, while Jayden Ward of the St. James Jr. Canucks and St. Boniface Riels forward Cole Davis are tied for third with 40 points apiece. Nathan Burzynski of St. Boniface rounds out the top five at 38 points, underscoring the tightly packed nature of the league’s scoring race.
Holod’s 35 assists place him among the league’s elite playmakers, a skill set Power said separates him from most players in the league.
“Gavin’s ability to see the ice is definitely tops in the league,” Power said. “He finds guys open and sees plays a lot of players don’t see. To have a player with that vision on our team is huge for our success in scoring goals.”
Holod has driven offence consistently while Stonewall remains firmly in the playoff picture. The Jets sit fourth in the MMJHL with 33 points through 28 games, behind Transcona, St. Boniface and Charleswood, while holding a four-point edge on River East in the race for playoff positioning.
“I came off to a little bit of a slow start, but everything’s picking up and it shows with our team as well,” said Holod. “You’ve got good coaches, a good goaltender and good players, so that makes it a lot easier.”
Before making his mark at the junior level, Holod was a familiar name to local hockey fans through his minor hockey career with Interlake-based programs. He posted strong offensive numbers with the AAA Interlake Lightning and later with the Stonewall Rams, developing into a reliable scorer well before reaching junior hockey.
That experience translated quickly. Holod entered the junior ranks during the 2023–24 season while still playing high school hockey, splitting time between the Jets and the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Niverville Nighthawks. Last season, he made the full-time jump to junior, spending time with both the MJHL’s Steinbach Pistons and the Jets.
Now 18 and one of the younger players among the league’s scoring leaders, Holod carries a level of junior experience uncommon for his age group.
“It gets you experience and maybe gets rid of the nerves early,” Holod said. “It helps with the mental toughness of junior hockey.”
Through 24 games, Holod owns a plus-14 rating while averaging just under 1.55 points per game, placing him among the league’s most efficient scorers.
Stonewall is one of only two teams with multiple players ranked inside the league’s top four scorers, with Bateman close behind among the elite. Power said that depth has allowed the Jets to better manage workloads compared to last season.
“Having multiple lines that can score has made it easier to manage guys’ minutes,” Power said. “We’re not overplaying guys like maybe we did last season, and that’s because of our depth and guys stepping up.”
Holod echoed that sentiment, pointing to confidence throughout the lineup.
“Our coaches believe in us, and every guy in the room believes too,” he said. “From line one to line four, everyone can find ways to put pucks in the net. Our defence has been good, and having a solid goaltender back there brings confidence.”
Power said the Jets’ biggest step forward this season has been consistency in their compete level.
“Bringing constant effort and taking no nights off. Our guys have bought into that, and it’s helped us a lot,” said Power.
As the second half of the schedule approaches, Power said there is still room for growth.
“We need to be better on the road,” he said. “The good teams in this league win at home and on the road, and we need to win on the road more.”
Across the MMJHL, the scoring race remains tight, with the league’s top 10 separated by just 11 points as the season continues.
The Stonewall Jets return home on Thursday, Jan. 15 to host the St. Boniface Riels at Stonewall Veterans Memorial. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m.
Stonewall then hits the road Sunday, Jan. 18 for a 2:45 p.m. matchup against the St. James Jr. Canucks.
