For the first time since 2014, the Dauphin Kings are champions of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
Brayden Dube’s goal with 8:27 remaining in the third period snapped a 1-1 tie, lifting the Kings to a 2-1 victory over the Steinbach Pistons in game seven of the best-of-seven championship series.
It is the eighth time Dauphin has won the Turnbull Memorial Trophy.
Steinbach drew first blood in the opening frame when Dawson Milliken banged home a rebound with one second left in a Kings power play.
Dauphin drew even when mid-season pickup Logan Calder grabbed a loose puck in the slot and snapped it over Steinbach goalie Will Hambly’s glove hand with the Kings a man down, 1:21 into the second period.
It stayed even until Dube stole the puck from a Steinbach player in front of the Pistons’ net, kicked the puck to his stick, spun around and beat Hambly five-hole with 8:27 remaining.
“I was trying to get it under the pad,” Dube said of his championship winning goal.
Steinbach’s best chance to tie the game came with 1:08 left on the clock. Travis Hensrud was sprung on a breakaway, but an outstanding glove save by playoff MVP Carson Cherepak kept the Kings in front and they went into shutdown mode from there. Following the game, Dube said it was an unreal feeling to be a champion.
“It doesn’t feel like it’s real right now. It’s the biggest goal of my life,” he said minutes after the final buzzer. The players knew they would have to work as hard as they could, Dube added. “And sure enough, we did and we came away with the win,” he said.
As a Roblin native, the Kings can be considered Dube’s hometown team, so winning a title with them was unreal, he said.
“All my family was here watching me and it’s the greatest moment ever,” he said.
As captain of the team, Parker Malchuk was the first player to touch the trophy when it was presented to him by MJHL Commissioner Kevin Saurette.
“It was an incredible honour. Incredible,” he said. “It’s something that’s going to stick with me for the rest of my life. I’m never going to forget this moment.”
Every player, Malchuk said, was hungry and ready to go prior to game seven. “There was no way we were coming in and losing tonight,” he said.
Cherepak said a lot of work has gone into what the Kings have accomplished this season.
“All the early mornings, all the practices, all the workouts. It all came down to one game, so to win it, I’ve never felt anything like it,” he added. The Winnipeg native compared the playoff MVP award to other accolades he has received over his career. “It’s a feather in the cap. It’s a nod that I’m doing the right things and I’m going in the right direction. But it’s a small part of a bigger goal,” he said.
Dauphin native Garrett Hrechka was not in the lineup for game seven, but he was not hurt by that.
“I know (Kings head coach and general manager) Doug (Hedley) is putting the best foot forward with the team and obviously, it paid off. So I’m just happy,” he said.
Hrechka remembers watching the Kings win in 2010 and he is glad to be able to repeat what that team accomplished. Watching the game from the stands, Hrechka felt the key to the victory was the hard work and grit of every player.
“And obviously, Cherry (Cherepak) is the backbone of our team. But I think it was hard work that prevailed,” he said.
For Gilbert Plains product Jayden Jubenvill, the MJHL championship caps off a successful rookie season in which he was named to the league’s rookie all-star team.
“It’s a great way to finish the season. A championship is all we ever worked for all season. So it’s amazing,” he said. Growing up in the Parkland just 30-km from Dauphin, winning a championship is a dream come true. “I’ve dreamed this my whole life, to win a championship and to do it is amazing,” he said, crediting Cherepak for his outstanding play in the game seven victory. “We worked real hard down low and we got it done,” he added.
Hedley started his junior coaching career 33 years ago and has come close to a championship a few times. But this win marks his first junior A championship.
“There’s a lot of things you put into a hockey program,” he said. “We put a lot of players to the next level. You hope to develop kids, develop people. And I think the programs I’ve been involved with have all done that. We’ve had success. “But at the same time, you want that ring. Once you’re a champion, nobody can take it away from you. I hear all the (talk). It’s been going on for a while and it’s nice to be able to quiet the noise on the outside. Now you’re a champion and it’s a good feeling, for sure.”
This year’s Kings squad is a special group, Hedley added, stating the expectations were not as high as where the team ended up.
“I’m so proud of this group. They just came together and worked so hard in different areas of the program, off ice, on ice, skill development, everything we asked them to. They’ve rotated in and out of the lineups. Different guys playing different lines. They just bought in. They get along, they’re a special group and I’m just so proud of them.”
Dauphin’s first goal, Hedley said, took a lot of pressure off the group.
“The bench became different. Then we got a big turnover by Dube and getting a goal from a 16 year old like that in a big moment like that. Once we got that goal, the worst about it was that bounce in the neutral zone that gave them a breakaway. Other than that, they didn’t have anything. We really do a good job once we get a lead,” he said. The Kings took a couple of days off to celebrate before hitting the ice to prepare for the Centennial Cup in Estevan, Sask., this week.
Hedley appreciates the support from the many fans who made the trip to Steinbach.
“When we came on the ice tonight, I thought we were at home. It was amazing. So kudos to the fans. The guys were so happy to have them here. It felt like our home barn,” he said.
But as the seconds were ticking down, Hedley could not help but think of his father and how happy he would have been.
