Ice Wave Media

Steinbach: All Pistons Firing

25 Days until a new season begins…

It may not have been the playoff finish Steinbach wanted, but you certainly can’t argue with their regular season result.

The Pistons rolled to a 47-9-2 record in 2025-26, finishing 2nd overall in the MJHL with 96 points.

But in Steinbach, winning seasons have become less of an exception and more of an expectation.

Since Paul Dyck took over behind the bench, the Pistons have developed into one of Junior A hockey’s most consistently competitive programs. Since 2012-13, Steinbach has finished outside the league’s top three just once, while capturing 3 Turnbull Cups along the way.

The Pistons’ official site currently lists Dyck’s career record at 522-171-45, which works out to a .738 points/win percentage.

Everyone dreams of the flawless season. Junior hockey rarely allows one, especially in the CJHL. Rosters turn over, players graduate and contenders reload.

However, the Pistons keep firing consistently every season.

Make no mistake, this is Steinbach’s team. Going from the tiny TG Smith Centre, to temporarily being housed in an even smaller La Broquerie arena, to their now state-of-the art masterpiece, the Automobile City averaged approximately 1,885 fans per game in their first full season, ranking 2nd in the entire CJHL. Walk into their new home and, beyond its size, there’s a distinctly professional feel to it, no doubt one of the best in the country at its level.

Let’s touch briefly on this upcoming season.

The defending Turnbull & Centennial Cup Champion Niverville Nighthawks sit in the East as well, while Portage & Winkler remain perennial threats in the fight for those top spots.

But if more than a decade under Paul Dyck has taught us anything, it’s this:

Never count out the Pistons.

New season. Same expectations.

All Pistons Firing.

THIS JUST IN: MAJOR QUESTIONS!

The Winnipeg Jets & Manitoba Moose
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Ice Wave Media has become aware of a developing situation involving Mick E. Moose.

After an exhaustive investigation, we can now confirm the following:

One moose is a moose.

Two moose are also moose.

Therefore, despite years of public appearances, we still have absolutely no idea whether Mick E. Moose is one moose… or two moose.

The Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose have yet to clarify the situation, and likely will keep the antler scratching curious question a secret. Someone once quoted “We can’t confirm or deny…” - the batteries in our recorder died seconds into this interview & therefore we can’t recollect what was said, or remember who said it - but someone did.

Even more interesting, this investigation has brought us no closer whatsoever to determining what Benny actually is - none the less he is a beloved icon in Jets culture.

We will continue to monitor this completely unnecessary developing story.

More details as they become unavailable.

🚨 THIS HAS BEEN AN ICE WAVE MEDIA BREAKING NEWS ALERT 🚨

Can you find the 6 differences in this Jesse Po***ck moment?

BarDown

***ck

Virden Oil Capitals: Best of the West (2025-26)

Do the Oil Caps have what it takes to do it again?

After a slower start to 2025-26, Virden turned up the heat and became one of the MJHL’s toughest teams to handle.

Virden finished 39-14-5 with 83 points, tops in the MGEU West Division & 3rd overall in the MJHL. But their season wasn’t defined by the standings alone.

Virden battled through a gritty opening-round matchup with the Neepawa Titans before meeting the league’s 2nd Place Steinbach Pistons in the semifinals. The Caps knocked Steinbach off in 6 games, punching their ticket to the Turnbull Cup Final against the league-leading Niverville Nighthawks.

The run ultimately ended against the “Angry Birds,” but another trip to the league final added to a remarkably consistent history in Oil Country.

Since the franchise relocated from Winnipeg (Saints) to Virden in 2012, the Oil Capitals have missed the postseason just twice, their inaugural 2012-13 season and 2024-25.

Along the way, Virden has advanced beyond the opening round 6 times and reached the Turnbull Cup Final 3 times - 2018, 2023 & 2026.

There’s an asterisk worth remembering: the 2020 playoffs were halted during the opening round because of COVID-19, while the following season was also cut short.

For a small-market club on Manitoba’s western edge, consistency like that speaks volumes.

Can the Oil Capitals reload, defend their place atop the West and make that final step?

Oil Country will certainly make the effort count - no doubt about it.

… Soon

1️⃣7️⃣👨🏼‍✈️✈️

Neal Pionk: The Gritty Defenceman

Not every NHL career begins with hearing your name called at the Draft, as we have highlighted in previous posts.

For Pionk, it began by earning his opportunity beyond the Draft floor.

The former NCHC Champion and NCAA Frozen Four All-Tournament defenceman from Omaha, Nebraska went undrafted before signing with the New York Rangers in 2017 following 2 seasons at the University of Minnesota Duluth. He split his first professional season between the Hartford Wolf Pack & Rangers before establishing himself as an NHL regular in 2018-19.

In June 2019, Winnipeg acquired Pionk and a first-round pick from New York in exchange for Jacob Trouba.

Pionk quickly found a home on the Jets blue line.

Since arriving in Winnipeg, the right-shot defenceman has developed into a reliable top-four option who brings offence, edge & a willingness to get into the dirty areas. He can move the puck, contribute on special teams and isn’t afraid to get under an opponent’s skin.

That grit hasn’t come at the expense of production.

Pionk has surpassed his best single-season point total with the Rangers in 5 of his first 6 seasons as a Jet. Through those 6 seasons, he accumulated a +40 rating in Winnipeg. In the postseason, he’s produced 21 points in 35 games.

That’s 21 opportunities for Winnipeg’s roaring Whiteout crowd to wave their iconic white towels high in the air.

Pionk has called Winnipeg’s Whiteout the “best atmosphere in hockey.”

In 2025, the Jets demonstrated how much they valued him, signing Pionk to a six-year, $42-million extension carrying a $7-million AAV. Head coach Scott Arniel described him as one of the team’s leaders and praised the bite and offensive edge he brings to the lineup.

Undrafted doesn’t mean unwanted.

From Omaha to Duluth, New York to Winnipeg, Neal Pionk has forged his own path into the NHL, and has proven his worth on a fairly consistent basis.

📸 Scott Stroh
👨🏻‍💻 Scott Stroh

Quotes sourced from NHL.com

Fun answers only…

KEEP IT CLEAN, or you’ll get Pionk’d!!!

Honestly though, let’s see some family friendly results, and don’t be a keyboard warrior here!

Best result will be posted.

This photo was one of our firsts of the Jets, taken back in April 2022.

We’re hiring for this year’s season in Hospitality & Game and Event Nights! 🏒 🎶

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