It’s not uncommon for Northwestern Ontario kids to play hockey in Manitoba, but having four from the area on the same team might be a novelty.
The MJHL’s Winkler Flyers feature three forwards and one defenceman that are ready and willing to resume the Manitoba Junior Hockey League season once the go ahead is given.
Flyers Assistant General Manager and Head Scout Mike McAulay feels when it comes to the team’s connection to Northwestern Ontario, the credit should go to scout Ray Agostino.
“He’s actually from Thunder Bay. He’s been a really good liaison for the Flyers and for that minor hockey system in terms of identifying players and knowing what we’re looking to recruit for future members of the organization,” says McAulay.
Head Coach Kelvin Cech feels it’s a cool story to have all four players on his roster.
“Those four guys have good characteristics and they’re all unique,” adds Cech. “I’m happy that Mike [McAulay] found [Cole Mackenzie and Jackson Arpin] while [General Manager Jeff Jeanson] found [Sulivan Shortreed and Ian Tookenay]. They’re huge part of our team and I’m thrilled that they can represent us and the region they’re from.”
Sulivan Shortreed
Emo
Suilvan Shortreed – Photo Courtesy of Ryan Sawatzky
Shortreed is the oldest of the Northwest Ontario foursome, having turned 21 on January 27th.
Before coming to Manitoba, he skated with the Fort Frances Muskies and the Kenora Thistles of the Manitoba Midget ‘AAA’ Hockey League. Shortreed would play for the Winnipeg Blues for the 2018-2019 season before being traded to the Flyers in the summer of 2019.
“It’s such a small community but they love their team. We get big crowds for our home games, so it’s definitely cool to play in Winkler,” says Shortreed.
The Emo forward feels his last year of junior hockey, regardless of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, feels different than previous years.
“I’m one of the guys that other players look up to. They ask me questions and I try my best to give feedback. I definitely feel more like a leader this season,” notes Shortreed.
Ian Tookenay
Fort Frances
Tookenay will turn 21 on March 27th and had a message for his fellow Ontarians heading into the season.
Ian Tookenay – photo courtesy of Ryan Sawatzky
“During the summertime, I made sure I was in contact with those guys,” Tookenay noted. “I let them know ‘I’m doing everything I can so I expect you guys to do your share too’ because if one of us messes it up, you’re going to feel pretty bad.”
The Fort Frances forward ended up in Manitoba after joining the Dauphin Kings for the 2018-2019 season. He ended up getting dealt to the Winkler Flyers in the fall of 2019 and has loved his new junior hockey home.
“It’s kind of the change I needed at the time,” added Tookenay. “Everything on and off the ice all just seemed to be that much better and tighter. Winkler is a pretty strong community.”
Tookenay also spent time with the Fort Frances Lakers of the Superior International Junior Hockey League and the Thunder Bay Kings.
Jackson Arpin
Rainy River
Arpin turned 19 in December and Winkler marks the first official Canadian stop when it comes to hockey.
Jackson Arpin – phot courtesy of Ryan Sawatzky
He played his high school hockey in the United States and was discovered by the Winkler Flyers at an MJHL camp in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Arpin is quarantining in Manitoba in the hopes that the hockey season will resume soon.
The 19 year old says he’s become close with his Ontario teammates.
“[Sulivan Shortreed] was there in my first year with the Flyers,” Arpin says. “Then in November, Ian Tookenay got traded to Winkler and this year we’ve added Cole Mackenzie on defence. It’s nice to have the Ontario representation on the team.”
The Rainy River forward can play two more years in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League.
Cole Mackenzie
Thunder Bay
The Thunder Bay defenceman is one of the new kids in town after playing four seasons with the Thunder Bay Kings.
Cole Mackenzie – photo courtesy of Ryan Sawatzky
Mackenzie is in the city and know’s a two week quarantine is in order before her gets back in his car and heads across the border for southern Manitoba.
The soon to be 18 year old remembers getting recruited by the Flyers all started with a trip to Saskatchewan in the summer of 2019.
“I got a call from [head scout Mike MacAulay], he said he’d seen me play in Saskatchewan and invited me to the Flyers main camp. I really enjoyed the experience, but because I was an out of town player, I couldn’t join the Flyers right away so I returned to Thunder Bay to play with the Kings. Later in the 19/20 season McAulay got in contact with me again and said ‘we like the way you’re progressing and play and we want to sign you’. After about a week of thought, I ended up signing with Winkler.”
The Manitoba Junior Hockey League is hoping to resume it’s season next weekend. The Flyers are set to host the Virden Oil Capitals Friday February 12th.
Other Northwest Ontario Players
Travis Hensrud Thunder Bay (Steinbach Pistons)
Ben Hackl Dryden (Dauphin Kings)
Dylan Winsor Ear Falls (Portage Terriers)
Aidan Shumka Kenora (Portage Terriers)
Kadin Ilnot Kenora (Waywayseecappo Wolverines)
Cooper Hatfield Kenora (Winnipeg Blues)
Evan Armit Dryden (Winnipeg Freeze)
