The Niverville Nighthawks captured the Turnbull Cup last Thursday, marking the first time the franchise has been crowned champions of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and punching their ticket to the 2026 Centennial Cup in May.
Niverville Nighthawks forwards Dawson Zeller (left) and Hayden Wheddon (right) with the Turnbull Cup
For the three Interlake locals who anchor the roster — Adam Vigfusson (Gimli), Hayden Wheddon (Stonewall) and Dawson Zeller (St. Andrews) — it also marks the completion of their MJHL careers, as they will age out of Junior A eligibility following the Centennial Cup.
The trio of forwards played a significant role in Niverville’s dominant regular season and playoff run, which concluded in Virden last Thursday with a 4-0 series sweep over the Virden Oil Capitals.
Last Tuesday, the Nighthawks took a 3-0 series lead with a 6-3 victory on home ice, seizing a firm grip on the series.
Six goals were scored in the first period, with Vigfusson, Evan Panzer and Merik Boles providing the offence for Niverville, while Virden’s Tyson Ulmer, Liam Goertzen and Austin Osiowy replied for the visitors.
Boles made it 4-3 Nighthawks in the second period with a shorthanded goal, with Zeller picking up the lone assist.
Niverville’s John Scott and Kole Mears then put the game out of reach with a pair of third-period goals to seal the victory.
In net, Austin Dubinsky turned aside 39 shots for Niverville, compared to 15 saves from Virden’s Braxton Burdeny.
The series then shifted to Tundra Oil & Gas Place in Virden for Game 4, where the Nighthawks once again delivered, earning a series-clinching 6-2 win.
Virden’s Dysen Drake and Niverville’s Marlen Edwards each scored in the first period before a second-period surge from Niverville, with goals from Panzer, Edwards and Mears.
Virden’s Tyson Draper added one late in the period to make it 4-2 heading into the third.
Wheddon and Panzer added two more in the final frame, while Dubinsky remained solid in net, finishing with another 39-save performance. Virden’s Micky Gross made 25 saves.
The victory capped a dominant postseason for Niverville, which saw them sweep the Winkler Flyers, defeat the Waywayseecappo Wolverines in five games and ultimately sweep the Oil Capitals.
Each finals game drew crowds of more than 1,000, with fans from both teams travelling well despite the more than 300 kilometres between the communities.
“I think this was the best crowd I’ve ever played in front of,” said Wheddon, despite previous experience in larger Western Hockey League arenas during the playoffs.
“You kind of get chills after scoring a goal or winning a game in front of them. It gets pretty loud in there, so it’s awesome.”
After the final buzzer in Game 4, the Nighthawks swarmed Dubinsky in celebration. Wheddon and Vigfusson were among the first to break away, sharing a moment together at the glass.
The two have played together since the age of six through Interlake minor hockey, progressing to the AAA Interlake Lightning and eventually reuniting in Niverville.
“To win it with him is really special,” said Vigfusson. “The fact that two Interlake boys were not just part of the team, but leaders as well, shows what the region produces. It’s an awesome feeling to win with someone I’ve known since I was six.”
Both players appeared in Niverville’s inaugural 2022-23 season. Vigfusson spent his entire junior career with the team, while Wheddon began with the Selkirk Steelers in 2021-22 before splitting time between Niverville and the WHL, returning full-time for the past two seasons.
Zeller joined the club last season after spending three years with the Winnipeg Blues.
“Definitely the best choice I made in my hockey career,” said Zeller. “Going to a winning team and finishing my last couple of years like this, ending with a Turnbull Cup, is awesome.”
All three players recorded point-per-game postseasons. Vigfusson finished tied for the league lead with 19 points, while his 10 goals topped all skaters.
Dubinsky was named playoff MVP after posting a 12-1 record, a 1.31 goals-against average, a .956 save percentage and three shutouts in 13 games.
He was also awarded the Ed Belfour Top Goaltender Award during the regular season.
“It all starts with Duby and our defence,” said Vigfusson. “Everyone buys into their role and the offence follows. We knew we could score, and we trusted Duby and the defence to shut the door. Defence wins championships, and that was our focus.”
Vigfusson recalled a conversation with Dubinsky following last year’s first-round exit to Winkler, when the pair committed to returning with a renewed focus.
After a summer of preparation, Niverville finished first overall with a franchise-best 51-6-1 record for 103 points.
The performance made them favourites to win the MJHL and strong contenders for the 2026 Centennial Cup.
Niverville will make its first appearance at the national championship May 7-17 in Summerside, P.E.I.
The tournament will feature nine CJHL champions along with the host Summerside Western Capitals.
Following several days of celebration, the Nighthawks have already returned to the ice in preparation.
They enter the tournament ranked No. 2 in the CJHL, behind the Rockland Nationals of the Central Canada Hockey League.
“I think we’ve had that in our minds all year — not just the Turnbull, but the Centennial Cup too,” said Wheddon. “If we keep playing the way we are, we’ve got a good shot. It would be pretty special to win that as well.”
The full tournament field is still being finalized, but Niverville knows it will face Summerside, Rockland, and the champions of the SIJHL and AJHL in preliminary round play.
The top three teams from each pool advance to the playoffs, with first-place finishers earning direct semifinal berths.
The Nighthawks open the tournament May 7 against the host Western Capitals at 7:30 p.m. ADT (5:30 p.m. CDT) at Credit Union Place.
