Manager of Public Works

Manager of Public Works

By Derek Holtom
The Waywayseecappo Wolverines look to be reloading rather than rebuilding this year – and some of those new pieces are players returning to Canada after playing south of the border a year ago.
One of those pieces is forward, and St. Laurent product, Ian Bours.
The decision to return to the MJHL and his home province was an easy one for Bours for a number of reasons, including friends and family.
“I made a decision with my family that I wanted to stay closer to come this year, and I have buddies on Wayway, so I thought this would be a group to come to this year,” he said. “It’s also a good group coming back this year, so I’m excited to see what they can do.”
One of those ‘buddies’ is Tavon McCorrister, who he played with two years ago in Notre Dame in the SJHL and last year with the Amarillo Wranglers in the NAHL.
“I’ve known Tavon forever – we played on Team Manitoba in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship (NAHC) as well, so I’ve known him a long time, and it makes things easier when you already known somebody when you’re going to a new place,” said Bours.
The two players have won two medals together at the NAHC – a bronze and gold medal.
“I describe myself as a playmaker, someone who can see the ice well and move the puck, and who can get it to the back of the net, but also defensively responsible, so a 200-foot player, he said.
Bours finishing his career with Wayway is interesting as his first path to junior hockey was with the Wolverines, though he never actually played with them before this year.
“I was drafted by Wayway, so I know them pretty well, and I know they have a great fan base,” he said. “I think our team can do a lot of damage this year.”
Last week
Millionaires 2, Wolverines 1
The SJHL’s Melville Millionaires scored once in the first and second periods, and then held off the host Waywayseecappo Wolverines, beating them 2-1.
Ryden Duchon had the lone goal for the Wolverines, coming five minutes into third via the power-play.
Mariko Bercier made 25 saves in goal for the Wolverines while taking the loss.
Wolverines 5, Millionaires 2
A tight game last Tuesday through two periods exploded in the third with Waywayseecappo and Melville combing for six goals. Four of those goals came from the Wolverines, powering them to a 5-2 preseason victory.
Hudson Davidson scored a pair for the visitors. Wayway also got goals from Treycen Wuttunee, Blake Farthing, and Ryden Duchon.
Urijah Moosetail picked up the win in goal for the Wolverines, stopping an impressive 45 shots.
Up next
The Wolverines kick off the regular season this week with a home-and-home against the Virden Oil Capitals, who were league finalist’s last spring. The two teams clash Friday in Waywayseecappo Friday night, and then meet again in Virden on Saturday. Both games get under way at 7:30 p.m.
CLAW MARKS – The Wolverines end the preseason with an impressive 4-2-0-0 record … Last season the Wolverines were 29-24-3-2, good for third place in the MGEU West Division. They would go on to defeat the second-place Dauphin Kings in the first round of the playoffs, only to lose in the second round to the eventual champion Niverville Nighthawks

Drivers across the province can stay safe this winter by applying to Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI)’s Winter Tire Program.
Manitoba winters come with very cold temperatures and harsh road conditions, including packed snow, blowing snow, slush and ice. Winter tires are designed with rubber compounds that remain flexible in frigid temperatures, allowing the tread to conform to the road rather than becoming hard and losing grip.
“Wintertime in Manitoba means snowy and slippery roads, and as a result we consistently see the highest number of collisions between November and March,” said Maria Campos, MPI’s Vice President and Chief Customer and Product Officer. “Winter tires reduce collisions by 6.3 per cent, and vehicles equipped with winter tires may experience less severe damage in crashes.”
Winter tires should be installed when temperatures stay below +7°C. It’s a common misconception that all-season tires are sufficient for handling winter roads; tests show a full set of winter tires has better traction below -30°C than all-season tires and stop much faster on ice.
“MPI’s Winter Tire Program was created to keep Manitobans safe on the roads in winter,” said Campos. “For the past 12 years, MPI has been providing loans for tires that are engineered to handle these conditions through low-interest financing options that make them a more affordable investment.”
The Winter Tire Program, which provides financing of up to $2,000 for the purchase of eligible winter tires and related equipment, has provided over 287,000 loans to Manitobans worth over $387 million since it began in 2014.
To ensure program funding supports tires that deliver the greatest safety benefits in winter driving conditions, effective October 1, 2026, only manufacturer designated winter tires that display the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol will be eligible under the program.
Customers considering a tire purchase are encouraged to speak with any of the over 670 participating retailers across Manitoba to ensure the tires they select meet program eligibility requirements. Financing terms are between one and four years. The retailer will confirm eligibility and begin the loan authorization process. Manitobans can check their eligibility and learn more about the program at mpi.mb.ca/winter-tire-program.

The recreation department is pleased to be offering a variety of courses this fall. Check it out! Unless otherwise noted, please register for courses at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Safe Kids/Home Alone Course: September 19 from 10am-4pm for ages 8+, cost $70
• Safety, Communication, First Aid & Emergency preparation, building confidence and practical skills for everyday situations in rural communities.
Babysitting Essentials Course: September 20th from 9am-4:30pm Age 11+, cost $80
• Geared toward youth in rural communities. Child development, leadership & responsibility, communication, safety, first aid, babysitting as a business.
• Each participant receives a certificate, first aid kit, first aid pocket guide and babysitting manual.
First Aid/CPR Course: October 3rd from 8am-5pm, cost $125
• Located in the Legion Room at the Russell Memorial Multiplex
• This course is for individuals & employees. This course meets the minimum requirements for workplace health & safety for basic first aid. Valid for 3 years.
Hunter Safety Course: October 3rd from 9am-5pm Cost $75
• Located in the Brad Rm at the Russell Municipal Offices
• Ages 10+
PAL Course: October 4th from 9am-5pm Cost $125
• Located in the Brad Rm at the Russell Municipal Offices
• Age 12+
HIIT Power Lunch! $10 Drop in / No registration necessary!
• Tuesdays & Thursdays from 12:15-12:45 in the Bunge Rm
• This is a High Intensity Interval Training for busy people that need to get their movement in during the day! Options for ALL fitness levels!
Pick Your Pace Bootcamp! $10 Drop in / NO registration necessary!
• Mondays & Wednesdays 9:30-10:15am in the Bunge Rm
• A high energy mix of cardio & strength training that is appropriate for everyone! True to its name, you literally “pick you own pace”. It features lots of options from low impact to high impact, plenty of modifications for anyone who needs them. Come get your movement in!

The Arctic Gateway Group celebrated their first ever export shipment of Manitoba potash for PADCOM to Belgium, alongside their third successful year of zinc shipments from Hudbay Minerals. As PADCOM continues to ramp up production, much potash will be shipped through the Port of Churchill. The PADCOM potash will be tested by farmers in Belgium.
The Hudson Bay Railway connection to Western Canada and the broader Canadian rail network make the Arctic Trade Corridor an ideal route to ship to the North and world markets. Arctic Gateway Group is owned by a partnership of 41 Indigenous and Bayside communities, including 29 First Nations. This local ownership model ensures that the economic growth of the Port of Churchill and Hudson Bay Railway directly benefits the communities that call the North home. Instead of profits leaving Canada, they are reinvested in Northern communities through reliable rail service, financial benefits, workforce training, and good-paying jobs – most of which are held by Indigenous workers. At the invitation of the Prime Minister, PADCOM attended the Canada Investment Summit in Toronto over the weekend. The objective of the summit is to attract a trillion dollars of international investment into Canada over the next five years.