Springfield man suing police, MPI
By Tony Zerucha
A Springfield man is suing the Springfield Police Board, the RCMP and three officers following a June 2021 traffic incident where he was acquitted in court but still has a suspension on his record.
Ian McLarty seeks general and special damages, pre- and post-judgment interest and costs. Former Springfield Police Service (SPS) Chief Stephen Hitchon, former SPS Const. Jesse Zillman, and RCMP S/Sgt Courtney Sookermany are included in the suit. He is also suing Manitoba Public Insurance for its actions when it suspended his driver’s license following the incident.
On June 13, 2021, McLarty was involved in a traffic incident at the intersection of Lornehill Road and Hazelridge Road. In his statement of claim, McLarty said he followed the other vehicle to get its license plate number so he could file a police report.
The other driver filed a police report with the SPS on June 14, 2021, with Zillman and an unknown RCMP officer visiting McLarty the next day. McLarty said he was charged with dangerous operation of a conveyance and failure to remain at the scene, though he insisted the other driver was the one who left.
Five months later, McLarty said he requested Hitchon review the incident. He alleges that Hitchon stated he would forward the complaint to the RCMP, with McLarty arguing it should have been forwarded instead to the Independent Investigation Unit due to the working relationship between the SPS and RCMP.
On April 19, 2023, McLarty states he contacted the RCMP, with Sookermany stating he received the request but could not conduct a review due to RCMP policy. McLarty also alleges the Springfield Police Board did not properly take action.
In February 2024, McLarty was acquitted by a judge.
In its statement of defence, the RM of Springfield only admits that Zillman attended McLarty’s home to investigate the original incident. The RM claims no knowledge of many of McLarty’s other allegations and denies that McLarty was ever charged with failing to remain at the scene. It further challenged McLarty to prove several other allegations in his statement of claim.
The RCMP was asked to provide its statement of defence and an update on any actions it plans to take. A spokesperson said the RCMP will not comment on a case before the court.
McLarty is also suing MPI and two employees after his license was suspended following the 2021 traffic incident. He alleges his license was suspended, but he was never informed; later hearing the news from a potential employer. McLarty further alleges that the suspension was based on statements employees knew to be false.
The MPI case has an Oct. 16 court date, with Oct. 28 the next date for the case against the SPS and RCMP.
New principal at Pinawa Secondary
By Tony Zerucha
Cyril Indome has travelled the world, and he is excited to bring that global perspective to his new role as principal of Pinawa Secondary School.
Indome’s roots are in Ghana, but he was born in Bergen, Norway, where his parents attended college. When he was eight years old, the family relocated to Winnipeg.
A high school basketball star, Indome played collegiately for the University of Victoria Vikes. As he pursued his Education degree, Indome coached at sports camps. He credits that experience with igniting his passion for education.
Upon graduation, Indome moved to Cairo, Egypt, to teach social studies and physical education at the British Columbia Canadian International School.
From there, he taught in China.
“Education has always been something I’ve enjoyed,” Indome said. “I just really like working with kids; that’s what got me hooked on education.”
The job is perfect for Indome, as his partner, Amanda Wallack, is a pharmacist in town. Indome had been working in Winnipeg and visiting regularly for a couple of years, but he’s living here permanently with Wallack and their children, ages six and four.
“I love the town,” he said. “The people are inclusive and welcoming. There are a host of families from all walks of life, and kids like to play here as well.”
The athlete has embraced outdoor life, enjoying running and fishing. A long-time city dweller, Indome said he loves the wildlife, but it takes some getting used to.
“I see bears every day,” he said with a smile. “Bears are running across campus, and everybody’s saying, ‘It’s all good.’ Anywhere else, I’d be asking if we should put the school on lockdown. Here, everyone says, ‘it’s how we go; it’s the norm.’”
Indome prioritizes experiential learning, which focuses on accommodating different learning styles by providing varied learning experiences and environments.
“That’s something this community and school division have embraced,” he said. “We’re so far ahead when it comes to experiential learning.”
It’s also important to hear how the students want to learn. What are their needs and values?
“Gone are the days when it’s just going to be us dictating all of it,” Indome said. “We want to make sure that our students have some say in the way the school environment runs. That part excites me. Often, I’ll have an idea of how I want something to go. Then students have a better way.”
Indome knows he’s in a community that not only supports its students in the classroom, but also on the fields and in the arenas.
“There’s so much pride, passion and support in this community,” he said. “That doesn’t happen everywhere. We’re really fortunate to have this town and community behind us. I’m looking forward to supporting our Panthers on the ice, on the field, in the gym, cross-country trails, golf course, and all the things they do.”
As he recalls his experiences in Norway, Canada, China and Egypt, Indome knows they’ve made him a better educator.
“The thing that I learned the most is that there are multiple ways to live and do things. We have things we do really, really well, but no one has it completely figured out, either, including us. There are multiple ways to do things, so it’s important to value others’ perspectives.”
By Mark T. Buss
A full house and a long list of objectors led to the RM of Reynolds tabling their zoning bylaw.
On Oct. 7, it was standing room only at a public hearing held at the Reynolds Civic Centre in Hadashville in regards to adopting Zoning Bylaw 04-2025 and replacing Zoning Bylaw No. 7/13 in accordance with the Planning Act.
Municipal zoning bylaws regulate and control the use of development of land and buildings within the limits of the RM. Although zoning bylaws should be adjusted every few years, the current bylaws for Reynolds have been unchanged since 2014.
With the proposed bylaw an 80-page document, there are those in the community who believe updated municipal-wide zoning changes may negatively impact landowners and the proposed bylaw may take future development decisions out of the hands of local elected officials and give it to the development officer, who in turn would work under direction of the provincial government.
While the RM was unable to provide The Clipper with a total number of objectors, a running tally by Reynolds taxpayer Taylor Connolly listed more than 150 objections with another 45 personally presented by her with an authorization letter.
“There were over 100 people in the building, so many there was a delay to the hearing as people were still signing in when they wanted to start,” Connolly said.
Reynolds CAO Kim Furgala advised the zoning bylaw would most likely be placed on the Oct. 28 meeting agenda. At that time, council can give second reading or decide no to proceed. If council proceeds and more than 100 objectors come forward a second time, the matter will go to the municipal board, she said.
Connolly said individuals who objected at the initial hearing should receive correspondence from the RM and encouraged them to attend and share their comments at the appropriate time.
Province recognizes wildfire first responders
Premier Wab Kinew awarded one of Manitoba’s highest honours, the Order of the Buffalo Hunt, to those involved with battling wildfires this spring.
The premier inducted provincial wildfire service and emergency management personnel, along with hundreds of civil servants, into the Order of the Buffalo Hunt in a ceremony at the Manitoba Legislative Building Oct. 9
“The 2025 season reminded us once again of the courage and professionalism of Manitoba’s wildfire service and emergency management teams,” said Kinew. “From the first sparks to the continuing fight against wildfires, these Manitoba heroes worked around the clock to protect communities, homes and lives.”
Kinew said he wanted to thank every firefighter, every emergency worker and every volunteer who stood on the front lines and behind the scenes during what was one of the worst wildfire seasons in recent memory.
“Manitobans can take pride in knowing when disaster strikes, we have people of extraordinary skill and heart answering the call.”
Reflecting on this wildfire season that began in early May and lasted for months, burning in excess of 4,000 hectares, the premier made a point of honouring Lac du Bonnet residents Richard and Susan Nowell, who lost their lives.
“The wildfires touched everyone in Manitoba, livelihoods were affected, and communities and properties were damaged” said Kinew. “We will rebuild and get through this challenging time like we always do as Manitobans – by doing it together.”
Established in 1957, Manitoba’s Order of the Buffalo Hunt is accompanied by a certificate of membership, signed by the premier and sealed with the Great Seal of Manitoba.
AG recommendations get mixed municipal reviews
By Tony Zerucha
Recommendations contained in the recent Auditor General report into financial issues with seven municipalities, including the RM of Springfield, have current and former municipal officials wondering how that will look in practice.
The report from Auditor General (AG) Tyson Shtykalo assessed Westlake-Gladstone’s response to a cybersecurity incident that defrauded it of $472,000. Over a two-week period from December 2022 to January 2023, a hacker made 48 withdrawals of just under $10,000 each from a municipal account (transactions of $10,000 or more trigger increased regulatory scrutiny). The RM was cited for not investigating the incident’s root cause.
To prevent similar incidents, Shtykalo recommended that all municipalities, at a minimum, implement the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security’s baseline cybersecurity controls. The Department of Municipal and Northern Relations must implement oversight processes to monitor compliance with these controls.
AG staff also investigated allegations against six municipalities, with three found to have merit. Council members from the RM of Springfield were deemed, according to an indemnity bylaw, to have incurred roughly $3,000 in illegitimate travel expenses. These were mostly for travel time to activities outside of the municipality. The RM said the council members’ billings were consistent with a council expense policy and will harmonize the two documents in the coming weeks.
Ethelbert’s Head of Council was found to have improperly authorized procurements and operated unilaterally without involving fellow councillors. The Municipality of Swan Valley West purchased two fire trucks without following the municipal procurement policy. A council resolution authorizing one of the purchases was not passed until months after the sale.
Much of the Auditor General’s criticism is directed at the Department of Municipal and Northern Relations. While the Auditor General acknowledges municipalities and councils must display effective stewardship, follow accepted procurement practices, promote effective internal controls and effectively plan for the future, it said the provincial department “lacks a comprehensive oversight process for municipalities.”
While most municipalities follow the rules, a sizeable portion do not, maybe because there is little recourse.
“We noted that 33 municipalities out of 137 (24 per cent) had not submitted at least one year of their financial statements as required,” the report states. “We asked the Department what is done when the financial statements are not submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Act. Although the Act provides for a $5,000 fine for this, the provision has never been used.
“Instead, Government of Canada grant payments are withheld until municipalities are compliant with this section. We verified this with four municipalities that had not yet submitted at least one year of audited financial statements. We asked the municipalities how they dealt with the loss of this revenue. We were told that they are able to just manage without it. This indicates that the withholding of these payments has little effect on the non-compliant municipalities.”
Former Springfield councillor Peter Williams welcomes the recommendations. He said the Municipal Act was revised in 1997 to provide “greater authority and flexibility, more local autonomy and less provincial supervision” of municipalities. This has led to imprudent actions by some municipalities that are unchecked by provincial overseers.
“I think the AG got it right... where recommendations are made for the Province to adjust its oversight of municipalities,” Williams said. “Essentially, to deal with the outcomes resulting from revisions made to the Act, 28 years ago.
“The Province says the rationale for their reluctance to become involved is because it ‘respects the autonomy of a democratically elected government.’ But when there are obvious signs of problems, for instance, dysfunction with administration and council or questionable financial submissions, there should be a more prompt notice of concern provided to the municipality by the Province.”
Brokenhead Reeve Brad Saluk said some provincial oversight mechanisms lack credibility for a few reasons, beginning with different standards for provincial and municipal governments.
“We have to have balanced budgets, but the provincial government can spend whatever it wants,” Saluk said. “Still, we try to abide by every rule.”
Saluk said there is little enforcement of many regulations and decrees that municipalities must follow, leaving little consequence should they run afoul. Penalties need to be stricter, too.
“I think the whole report is a joke,” Saluk added. “The provincial code of conduct (for municipal officials) is a joke, too. At the end of the day, they’re not going to kick someone off council.”
Elected officials and staff are kept busy with an ever-expanding list of issues, and Saluk said it is unfair to expect them to stay ahead of every one, especially with rapidly changing areas like cybersecurity.
“It’s very simple in today’s environment to hack someone,” Saluk, who said his personal bank cards have been hacked multiple times. “How do you deal with criminals whose tactics change so quickly?
“(Municipalities) need help with cybersecurity.”
RM of Lac du Bonnet Coun. Cindy Kellendonk said the RM experienced an audit in 2013 after residents told the province help was needed with several serious issues. After receiving little subsequent provincial direction after the report, residents had to produce their own.
“The most frustrating things is the Province sets regulations and the municipalities are supposed to build on them but not supercede them,”
Kellendonk said. “You’d think they’d be able to help. The standard response you get from the Province is to hire a lawyer, or that they only put out rules to resolve issues.”
Kellendonk said municipalities are not obligated to follow the report’s recommendations, but responsible councils will use them to consider ways to improve. Other times, councils turn over after an election, priorities shift and the report falls into a gap.
“Government is a very complex process at times,” Kellendonk added. “There are lots of public assumptions about the level of authority municipalities have. The Province needs to be more accountable. They’re like the parents of RMs. They shore provide more direction and guidance.”
Mural at Association For Community Living
By Edna Barrie
Association for Community Living Beausejour Branch has a new colourful mural on their east wall welcoming those entering the community.
Paintings on walls or ‘murals’ are a quintessential public art in this regard. They can convey positive emotion through different themes and vibrant colours.
According to ACL-BB administrative assistant Dawn LaFortune, the vision of directors, board members and management turned into a collaboration with mural artist Annie Bergen and her assistant Mara.
Tom Ethans, Executive Director for Take Pride Winnipeg, provided ACL-BB with a $2,000 grant for the wall painting. The first coat of paint was applied in July. Bergen and Mara began stencilling, often working late into the evenings. Many of ACL’s clients volunteered their time during the day to help paint the illustrations. By Aug. 13, the final touch-ups were completed.
“Before we knew it, a blank exterior wall at 917 Park Ave. soon had a blueprint reflecting our agency’s value statements and sense of community,” LaFortune said.
Ethans said there are many benefits of wall paintings in a town, adding they bring visitors to the area. Like Winnipeg, which has 500 murals, is visited by people on ‘mural tours.’
“Murals enhance the atmosphere and reflect the community’s sense of unity,” Ethans said.
LaFortune stated they wanted the mural to echo community and inclusivity.
“The artists transformed the ideas into a visual depiction of the essence of ACL-BB and the individuals who consider this community their home,”
LaFortune said. “The field of sunflowers and strands of wheat represent the fact that this is a farming community. The hands show a young person’s hand in the hand of someone aged, represent the passing of wisdom between generations.”
On Treaty 1 land, they also wanted to incorporate aspects of Indigenous culture with the medicine wheel and a woman holding a smudge bowl with some words from the seven teachings.
“We are also the gateway to cottage country, the scene of a lake, bedrock and coniferous trees. The flowers depicted on the wall are native plants of Manitoba. The mural spans from daylight to evening.”.
Scott Woods’ Christmas Hoedown Nov. 7
Lovers of fiddle music and comedy should bring friends to see Canadian fiddle champion Scott Woods on his Christmas Hoedown Tour on Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church in Beausejour
Christmas Hoedown is a nostalgic yet high energy show bursting with festive cheer, trick fiddling, family-friendly comedy and sensational step dancing. The show pays tribute to iconic country music television variety shows like Don Messer’s Jubilee, The Tommy Hunter Show and Hee Haw, with lots of “pickin and a-grinnin”, some “Kornfield” humour and everyone’s favourite Christmas classics.
“You don’t have to be a fiddle or country music fan to enjoy it,” says Woods. “We design the show to keep things fresh and emotionally varied; bringing laughter, excitement, joy and even a few touching moments.”
Woods is a multiple Canadian Grand Masters Fiddle Champion and Canadian Open Fiddle Champion, and was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Grand Masters Fiddling Association in 2018.
Joining Woods on stage is his sister, Kendra (Woods) Norris. Also a fiddle champion, she is known for doing her tribute to ‘Cousin Minnie Pearl’ and adding levity while covering essential piano parts, accordion, fiddle as well as harmony and lead vocals.
Also on stage are Canadian Country Music Award Winner and Guitar Player of the Year, Steve Piticco; three-time Canadian Step Dancing champion Leo ‘Spaghetti Legs’ Stock, and special guests Gary and Nadine Boles on bass and acoustic guitar respectively.
The Scott Woods Band travels extensively throughout Canada each year performing hundreds of concerts and helping to raise funds for churches, charities and other community organizations. The Christmas Hoedown Tour will run from Nov. 1 to Dec. 21, spanning 47 towns in five provinces
Tickets for the Christmas Hoedown show in Beausejour are $45. Advance tickets (cash only) are available in Beausejour at The Clipper (27 Third St. S.), Serenity Gift Shoppe (701 Park Ave.) or at the RM of Brokenhead municipal office. Tickets can also be ordered with a credit card by calling toll free 1-855-726-8896 or visiting www.scottwoods.ca
Pinawa hosts cross country zones
By Tony Zerucha and Mark T. Buss
Local athletes cleaned up at the Manitoba High Schools Athletic Association’s Zone 13 Cross Country in Pinawa on Oct. 1.
A total of 208 runners from Pinawa, Powerview, Beausejour, Lac du Bonnet, Sagkeeng, Whitemouth, Gabrielle Roy, Niverville, Ste. Anne, Lorette, Steinbach Christian, Steinbach Regional, St. Joachim, Pointe-des-Chênes, Landmark and École Héritage competed.
Pinawa Secondary School athletic director Michael Thorbourne said the event was well received as racers ran the Ironwood Trail along the waterfront on the way out under ideal weather conditions and returned on the snowmobile trail through the woods for a scenic route.
The junior varsity girls ran a 3K race. Beausejour’s Abby Harris placed third with a time of 12:47, 20 seconds off the lead. Powerview’s Cailey Rusk was fifth with a time of 13:16. Beausejour’s Kaya Schroeder placed 15th, Pinawa’s Katrina Long 18th and Beausejour’s Reveka Cline 24th.
Pinawa’s Jordan Bilinsky won the junior varsity boys 4K race running away. His 14:43 showing was more than 30 seconds better than the second-place finisher. Beausejour’s Karson Adam was ninth at 16:27. Pinawa’s Kian Kahranan (12), Beausejour’s Jacoby Wiens (16), Sagkeeng’s Antwan Hope (18), Beausejour’s Rorie McDonald (20), Sagkeeng’s Ryan Henderson (33), and Pinawa’s Ryan Passey (43) also competed.
Powerview’s Kaitlyn Schroeder walked away with the varsity girls’ crown. Her time of 15:45 over the 4K course was well ahead of second place’s 17:09. Sagkeeng’s Hayden Courchene finished 31st.
In varsity boys 5K, Lac du Bonnet’s Daniel Melnick and Bowen Hampson took the first two places, with Melnick’s 18:35 finish five seconds faster than Hampson’s 18:40. Beausejour’s Brodie McDonald finished sixth with a 19:57 showing. Whitemouth’s Hudson Stebelko (17), Pinawa’s Gavin Sandul (30), Whitemouth’s Charlie Tetrault (38), Pinawa’s Kai Michaluk (49) and Whitemouth’s RJ Espinoza (52) also competed.
Those who won at zones qualified to run in the Manitoba High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) provincial championships held Oct. 8 in Winnipeg.
Bilinsky represented Zone 13 well as he went on to capture bronze in the JV boys competition among 248 participants, many from AAAA schools.
Schroeder claimed a fourth place finish out of 269 racers in varsity girls. Hampson and Melnick finished 25th and 26th respectively out of 346 in varsity boys while Harris was 28th out of 246 runners in JV girls.
Comets vault into first-place tie
By Tony Zerucha
The Beausejour Comets grabbed a share of first place in the Capital Region Junior Hockey League (CRJHL) courtesy of a 5-3 win over the La Broquerie Habs on Oct. 11.
Comet Maddex Long continued his strong debut, opening the scoring with his third of the season 1:20 into the game. Liam Johnston and Lavery Melsted earned assists. The Habs tied the game at 13:15, but Vaughn Senebald returned the lead to the Comets at 16:39.
Former Eastman Select Colton Pakoo drew the Habs even on the power play 27 ticks into the middle stanza. Select alums Calem Normandeau and Mario Gagnon set him up. La Broquerie took the lead at 15:52, but Long added his second of the game at 18:02 to even the score. Jaiden Reed and Greyson Wood earned helpers.
Melsted’s first of the season, 11:15 into the third, proved to be the game-winner. Tanner Amos and Job Peters chipped in assists. Nikolas Bear added an unassisted insurance tally at 13:28 to close the scoring.
Comet netminder Sawyer Abraham earned the win with 29 stops. The Comets fired 39 at Hab Caleb Legal.
Long leads the Comets with four goals and seven points in four games. Those four scores are tied for the league lead, and Long is one point back of the scoring lead. His three assists tie him with several others for the team lead.
Despite missing one game, Cash Clarkson is tied for seventh in scoring with a long list, including Wood.
At press time the Comets share top spot with the St. Malo Warriors, who have one game in hand. Beausejour hosts the North Winnipeg Satelites at 8 p.m. on Oct. 17 and visits the North Winnipeg Satelites on Oct. 21.
SCI Sabres fall 7-6 to Wolverines
By Sierra Smith
It was a big night under the lights at the Coyote Den as the Springfield Collegiate Sabres hosted the undefeated West Kildonan Wolverines on Oct. 9, in their final home game of the regular season.
With first place in the Winnipeg High School Football League’s AAAA Tier 2 Division on the line, the Sabres entered the matchup at 4-1, while West Kildonan sat undefeated at 5-0.
The game was a defensive battle from start to finish, with the Sabres’ strong ground game and physical defence keeping the Wolverines’ high-powered offence in check. Running back River Wiebe led the charge once again, grinding out tough yards up the middle and flipping the field several times with key punts. Quarterback Pats connected with multiple receivers throughout the game, including Noah Hickey, who came inches short of a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
Springfield’s defence continued to show why it’s among the best in the league, holding the Wolverines to just one touchdown and forcing multiple turnovers.
Late in the second quarter, Hickey made one of the game’s biggest plays, intercepting a pass to stop a Wolverines drive and send the home crowd into a roar.
“My mindset throughout the game was just to win, play good ball, win the game, and get a big and needed win for the team and the town,” Hickey said after the game.
Coach Tom Walls praised the team’s effort despite the narrow loss.
“West K is a very good team, and when you play teams like that, you normally have to fight and scratch for every inch,” Walls said. “Although games like that aren’t comfortable, they’re super helpful for growing as a team. Field position was crucial today, and our guys did a great job keeping them pinned on our side of the field for most of the game.”
In the second half, the Sabres kept battling. Hickey nearly connected on what could have been the go-ahead touchdown pass from Pats late in the fourth quarter, catching the ball at the edge of the end zone but landing just out of bounds. Then, with 1:54 remaining, Pats rolled to his left and fired a strike to Dylan Baldwin, who caught it in for the Sabres’ touchdown. Unfortunately, the extra point attempt was blocked, leaving the Sabres down one.
It was that kind of night for Springfield, hard-fought, physical, and decided by the smallest of margins.
Walls also highlighted the defence’s performance.
“West K had three receivers who could score anytime they touched the ball. Our defence managed to hold them to little gains for 95 per cent of the game. It was a great example of having a plan, teaching the plan, and executing it. The defensive players and coaches did an outstanding job.”
After the loss, Hickey reflected on the team’s performance, emphasizing leadership and accountability. He said the Sabres didn’t quite play to their usual standard but credited the group’s resilience and focus.
“We’ve just got to execute better,” he said. “If I perform well, I lead by example, and when I do that, the whole team plays to its peak.”
Despite falling 7-6, the Sabres left little doubt about their toughness. Their defence once again proved among the best in the league, allowing the Wolverines only one touchdown. Springfield will wrap up its regular season against the Elmwood Giants on October 17 at East Side Eagles Field, with playoff energy already in the air.
Before kickoff, the Sabres honoured their graduating players with the annual Grade 12 “Buckle Up” ceremony, celebrating Bryce Charrette, Carter Jon-Dekoning, Jens Verkuijlen, Cameron Sheir, Grady Smyth, Noah Hickey, Graesen Pats and Lucas Gustavo.
Wild take year off
By Tony Zerucha
The Powerview-Sagkeeng Wild, a combined team from École Powerview and Sagkeeng Anicinabe High School, is taking the 2025-26 off.
Coach Paul Magnan said there were not enough players to field a team. Organizers will try again for the 2026-27 season.
After a 17-year hiatus, the Wild rejoined the Winnipeg High School Hockey League for the 2021-22 season. The earlier version played for three seasons.
The latest Wild version regularly competed for division titles. Several Wild stars went on to higher levels, including the Capital Region Junior Hockey League’s Selkirk Fishermen. Theo Courchene, Julius Guimond, Marcus Sharpe, Ryland Schroder, Connor Bruyere and Ashton Schroeder are among those who successfully made the jump.
Barons boys ready for 2025-26 hockey season
By Sierra Smith
The École Edward Schreyer Barons boys’ hockey team is looking forward to an exciting 2025-26 season with a strong mix of returning veterans and new talent.
Tryouts drew plenty of attention this fall, with 29 players attending. The Barons have already been busy, playing seven exhibition games to experiment with line combinations and evaluate the players in game situations. The final roster was set on Oct 1, with preparations continuing through two pre-season tournaments.
The Barons will get an early test in tournament play, starting with the Springfield Sabres Homecoming Tournament in Oakbank on Oct 10 and 11, followed by hosting their third annual Barons Fall Classic on Oct 17 and 18. The team plans to play a disciplined, aggressive and connected style of hockey throughout the season.
A total of 10 players return from last year’s roster, led by captain Theoren Skiba, who aims to build on his 35-point season. Alternate captains Brodie McDonald and Carson Specaluk return on defence, providing leadership on and off the ice. The team also welcomes back Jordan Clark, who spent last season with the Barons girls’ team and U18 AAA. Her speed and determination will be key assets for the Barons this season.
Before the holiday break, the Barons will travel east to Halifax for a tournament that will include visits to museums, historic sites, and team dinners featuring fresh seafood, a memorable experience both on and off the ice.
Veteran core to pace Sabres girls
By Mark T. Buss
The Springfield Collegiate Sabres girls’ hockey team enters the 2025-26 season with a solid mix of returning veterans and promising new talent.
After graduating key players Halle Harmatiuk, Finnley Hildebrand, Lily Hurley, and Kera Lesuk, the Sabres look to a strong veteran core to continue the program’s momentum.
Returning players include Lily Wassing, Bella Magura, Gracie Anderson, Bree Hildebrand, Maielle Arsenault, Elyssa Lentowich, Ayvah Cockerill, Skylar Di Vito, Brooklyn Brodeur, and Sierra Sanclemente. Head coach Evan Heinemann said the leadership group of Cockerill, Lentowich, Magura, and Anderson will play an important role in guiding the younger players this season.
The Sabres welcome several new faces, including Grade 9 players Kennedy Cockerill, Callie Smith, Alexa Sholdra, Fiona Shewtchenko, and Mikayla Ediger, along with Summer Wray, Miley Bouchie and Katie Mackereth.
Heinemann said the focus this year is on team systems and execution, as the players’ athleticism allows the coaching staff to build quickly on structure and style of play.
“We’re lucky to have such a great group of athletes,” he said. “Even though they’re young, there’s a lot of talent here, and we have high expectations for a good playoff run this year.”
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