By Derek Holtom
The Waywayseecappo Wolverines are coming off an extremely successful month of January where they went 7-2-1-1, and enter the short month of February just three points back of the Neepawa Titans for third spot in the MJHL’s West Division.
Wolverines Head Coach and General Manager, Landyn Cochrane, says the improved play comes down to a healthy team using its depth to its advantage.
“We would attribute our success in January to being back fully healthy, and everyone buying into their roles,” says Cochrane. “We have four very strong lines who can play in any situation, and seven defensemen who all compete hard every night. We also have two starting goaltenders who give us a chance to win every night.”
If the Wolverines can match their play from January into February, there’s no telling how many more wins they can put up, and maybe start looking at sliding into the second or third seed spot.
Last week
Pistons 5, Wolverines 4 (OT)
The host Wolverines almost beat the powerhouse Steinbach Pistons Saturday night, but ultimately fell 5-4 in overtime.
The Wolverines held leads of 3-1 and 4-2 before the Pistons rallied with two goals late in the third, including the game tying goal with their goaltender pulled for the extra attacker. Steinbach’s Cole Cairns (fifth) then got the Pistons the extra point 1:58 into overtime.
“We pushed the pace for the majority of the game against Steinbach – we were fast, structured and creating offense the right way,” noted Cochrane. “There’s still a few things our group needs to clean up moving forward to make that final step.”
The Wolverines got goals from Blake Farthing (sixth), Ben Roulette (19th), Noah Oughton (fifth) and Dylan Duzan (12th).
Jase Wareham took the overtime loss, stopping 41 shots in the process.
Wolverines 5, Blizzard 2 (EN)
Wayway pulled away from a pesky Northern Manitoba Blizzard team as the Wolverines earned a 5-2 (EN) victory last Friday night on home ice.

Get the whole score on page 8 of this week's Russell Banner.

Pickleball and Badminton at the GPB Hall in Russell is cancelled for at least the month of January and likely most of February for floor replacement. Pickleball will still be available on Monday evenings in Binscarth at the school from 7-9pm.
There will be a First Aid Course held on Saturday, February 28th from 8am-5pm in Russell. The cost is $125. Please contact the recreation office for more information or to register: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Indoor Walking at the George P. Buleziuk Hall in Russell will resume on Monday, February 8 from 8:30-12 noon. Free, indoor shoes required.
The outdoor rink is ready to go! This is a community outdoor rink, available for all to use. People need to keep in mind, they may have to shovel off some snow and share the space with community members!
Adults & Tots is a FREE open gym time for adults and their kids age 7 and under. The gym will be open on Wednesdays from 1-3pm (Feb. 4, 11, 18) and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30am (Feb. 5, 12 , 19). NO Adults & Tots Feb. 25 & 26
The Recreation Department has snowshoes to lend out. We have 2 adult and 2 youth sets of snowshoes in Russell Recreation Office, Binscarth at Rob’s Place & Inglis at the RM Office.
FREE Public Skating every Tuesday AND Thursday from 9:30-10:30 am at the Russell Memorial Multiplex.
Zumba is Thursday nights from 6:30-7:30pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St entrance, $5 drop-in!
Sunday, March 1! Binscarth Winterfest: Sleigh Rides, indoor & outdoor activities, & skating! Binscarth Vintage Snowmobile Derby: contact Bryce McNair (431)761-1672.
PMH Healthy Baby will be held on February 26, from 11 am - 1 pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex (Main St. entrance). This free for those expecting a baby and those with babies under 1 year old. Come join us.
The MRB Recreation office will be closed February 25, 26, 27 while Amy attends the Manitoba Recreation Conference.

The Manitoba government is inviting eligible organizations to apply for one-time project funding of up to $50,000 through the Manitoba Accessibility Fund (MAF), Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine, minister responsible for accessibility, announced.
“The Manitoba Accessibility Fund empowers organizations across Manitoba to better serve everyone in their communities,” said Fontaine. “We know organizations want to make their services more accessible, they just need a bit of extra support to make it happen. We’re working together to remove barriers across the province.”
Manitoba-based registered charities, non-profit organizations, local businesses, on-reserve entities and municipalities can all apply to the MAF. Selected projects can receive up to 100 per cent of eligible costs, to a maximum of $50,000 per application.
Projects must align with accessibility standards under the Accessibility for Manitobans Act and focus on customer service, employment, or information and communication. Each project must also meet at least one of the following objectives:
- raise awareness about preventing and removing barriers;
- improve access to information and communication electronically, in print or in person; or
- develop tools, resources and training to support compliance with accessibility standards.
The MAF is managed by The Winnipeg Foundation and uses investment returns to provide annual grants to support accessibility initiatives across the province. Since 2021, the fund has supported 143 projects, and has invested more than $3.3 million in accessibility improvements across Manitoba.
The application deadline is Feb. 20. For full eligibility details and to apply, visit:
https://accessibilitymb.ca/grants-and-awards/manitoba-accessibility-fund.html

Manitoba Transportation and Infrastructure’s Hydrologic Forecast Centre reports the Shellmouth Reservoir outflow was increased January 29th as part of normal operation to draw down the reservoir level in preparation for spring runoff from the upper Assiniboine River.
The current outflow is 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) and will be increased to 650 cfs today.
An additional scheduled increase to outflow will occur February 4 to 800 cfs.
The increased outflow will result in a half-foot to one-foot level increase on the Assiniboine River from Shellmouth to Brandon. The increase will diminish as the river reaches Winnipeg.
The province will continue to monitor conditions on the upper Assiniboine River as well as downstream river levels.

Pickleball and Badminton at the GPB Hall in Russell is cancelled for at least the month of January and likely most of February for floor replacement. Pickleball will still be available on Monday evenings in Binscarth at the school from 7-9 pm!
There will be a First Aid Course held on Saturday, February 28th from 8 am-5 pm in Russell. The cost is $125. Please contact the recreation office for more information or to register: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Indoor Walking at the GPB Hall will still be available in during January and February when not working on the floor. I have a call list of walkers to keep in contact with.
The outdoor rink is ready to go! This is a community outdoor rink, available for all to use. People need to keep in mind, they may have to shovel off some snow and share the space with community members!
Adults & Tots is a FREE open gym time for adults and their kids age 7 and under. The gym will be open on Wednesdays from 1-3pm and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 am. (These days and times are subject to change.)
The Recreation Department has snowshoes to lend out. We have 2 adult and 2 youth sets of snowshoes in Russell Recreation Office, Binscarth at Rob’s Place & Inglis at the RM Office
FREE Public Skating every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-10:30 am at the Russell Memorial Multiplex
Zumba is Thursday nights from 6:30-7:30 pm upstairs in the Bunge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex, Main St entrance, $5 drop-in!
Sunday, March 1! Binscarth Winterfest: Sleigh Rides, indoor & outdoor activities, and skating! Binscarth Vintage Snowmobile Derby: contact Bryce McNair (431)761-1672.

Asessippi Ski Area wrapped up the holiday season with a successful stretch of extended hours, excellent snow conditions, and a memorable New Year’s Eve celebration that drew guests from across the region.
Throughout the holiday period, the resort operated late into the evenings, staying open until 7:00 pm all week before transitioning to reduced January hours. Favourable weather and consistent snowfall created
excellent conditions, with fresh inches of snow continuing to fall after New Year’s and throughout the holidays. New Year’s Eve was a standout evening at the hill. Lifts ran late until 11:45 pm, followed by the resort’s
annual Midnight Run, a long standing tradition that sees skiers and snowboarders gather at the top of the hill before riding down together to welcome the new year. The evening featured a full lineup of activities,
including late night tubing, a limited supper special, a kids movie in the Sugar Shack, and two fireworks displays, one at 9:15 pm and a second show at midnight to ring in the new year.

Get the whole story in this week's Russell Banner on page 7.

New traffic safety measures under The Highway Traffic Act came into effect on January 1, 2026, to enhance safety for all road users and protect those working on Manitoba highways.
Key Changes:
1) Rules for Drivers Around Winter Maintenance Vehicles
Drivers must follow these guidelines when meeting or approaching snowplows, graders, sanding trucks and other winter maintenance vehicles when blue or combination blue and amber lamps are activated.
Maintain Safe Distance
Stay back 30 metres if the speed limit is 80 km/h or less, or
Stay back 100 metres if the speed limit is more than 80 km/h.
When behind, do not pass if it will interfere with the work being done or if the view is obstructed by blowing snow and ice.
When approaching from the opposite direction, proceed with caution and give the vehicle space to work.
At an intersection, stop or slow down if work is being done.
2) Tow Truck and Roadside Assistance Authority
Tow truck and roadside assistance providers may now use temporary traffic control devices when working on or near highways.
Operators can place cones and Emergency Scene Ahead signs to alert and guide drivers safely around roadside activities.
3) Passing Cyclists
Drivers are required to leave at least one metre of space when passing a cyclist, whether on the left or right.
4) Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to comply may result in a preset fine of $298 and two demerits on your driving record.
For more information, see the Manitoba government’s News Release, visit Manitoba.ca/MTI or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To all the wonderful donors, please read carefully the following article for information on donating of usable items to us.
We have had an influx of unusable donations being given to us. Items have been arriving broken, dirty and not working. We try our best as volunteers to filter these items as donated, but can’t catch everything. These unsellable items cost us money to dispose of; we can’t recycle them any further.
You can help us out by only donating items that are clean, and are in working order, undamaged, smoke and odour free (musty), and clean clothing!
Please refrain from filling X-large bags or boxes that are extremely heavy to lift for our volunteers.
Please Do Not go through the donation Bin (Property of Russell Thrift Shop) and take items.
Please Do Not Use our garbage bin and rummage through garbage.
Please Do Not Use our Recycle Bin.
Please Do Not open Free Bags (In FREE BIN) and rummage through and scatter all over parking lot and other business property.
We encourage you to drop off donations during business hours, but are welcome to donate at your convenience.
We have many dedicated volunteers that put in long hours to keep our lovely Thrift Shop running so smoothly, so please co-operate and keep our store up and running.
A huge thank you to donors and shoppers from Russell and surrounding communities for your continued support!
President Noella Kiliwnik
and the Russell Thrift Shop Volunteers

Pickleball and Badminton at the GPB Hall in Russell is cancelled for at least the month of January as we make some much needed improvements to the floor! We are very excited! Keep an eye out for how you can help! Pickleball will still be available on Monday evenings in Binscarth at the school from 7-9pm!
Indoor Walking at the GPB Hall will still be available! Indoor Walking is FREE at the GPB Hall in Russell (106 Shell River Ave. S). Come in out of the cold weather and icy streets!
The outdoor rink is ready to go! The outdoor rink is located on North Main St between the Leisure Center and Never Better Studios. This is a community outdoor rink, available for all to use. Please keep in mind, you may have to shovel off some snow and share the space with community members!
HUGE thank you to the Municipality of Russell Binscarth, Never Better Studio, the Russell Lions, Russell Beef and Barley, Braendle Bruce Memorials, Parkland Thrashers Roller Derby, our local RCMP, Fresh Vac, Jeramy Ewbank & Kris Huberdeau, as well as our many volunteers helping make this happen! This is only the beginning!
Adults & Tots has resumed upstairs in the Binge Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex! Enter the Multiplex through the Main St. entrance and go up the stairs! This is a FREE open gym time for adults and their kids age 7 and under. The gym will be open on Wednesdays from 1-3pm and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30am. (These days and times are subject to change.)
The Recreation Department has snowshoes to lend out! We have 2 adult and 2 youth sets of snowshoes at each of these locations:
Russell: Recreation Office 325 Main St (204)773-2422
Binscarth: Rob’s Place (204) 532-2067
Inglis: RM Office (204) 564-2589
FREE Public Skating every Tuesday from 9:30-10:30am at the Russell Memorial Multiplex.