The Niverville Nighthawks’ incredible run through the first third of the MJHL season has been the talk of the league. And with their 7–4 win over Swan Valley on November 15, the team not only extended their winning streak to 14 games but also collected their twentieth victory in just their twenty-first game, becoming the fastest team in MJHL history to hit that milestone.

They surpass the remarkable Portage Terrier teams from 2014–15 and 2015–16, who needed 22 games. The Terriers captured the championship in both of those seasons and completed a three-peat with another title in 2016–17.

In the 2014–15 season, the Terriers finished with 110 points, a 53–3–1–3 record, a Turnbull Cup championship, and ultimately the national title at the RBC Cup, which they also hosted. Their .917 winning percentage remains the league’s benchmark.

But it’s one that the Nighthawks, at least early on, are flirting with. The Nighthawks currently sit with a .952.

For Niverville, this season’s start is the result of steady growth since joining the MJHL. Their first four years show a clear upward trend—26 wins in year one, 30 in year two, and 35 in year three.

Last year, it took them 34 games to reach 20 wins. This season, they got there in just 21.

At the heart of Niverville’s scorching run is its top line—Hayden Wheddon, Adam Vigfusson, and Merik Boles—arguably the most dominant trio in the MJHL.

Wheddon leads the entire league in scoring with 34 points (13 goals) in 21 games, already surpassing his totals from last season in half the time. Wheddon credits the people around him.

“I think the credit goes out to my linemates,” Wheddon says. “I’ve had a lot of help with both Adam and Merik, but it’s also the entire team, and they’ve really pushed me this year.”

He says that a strong summer set the tone, along with the push of head coach Dwight Hirst.

“It was a good offseason, and a great start to the regular season,” adds Wheddon. “I think Dwight’s really pushed us and it’s made all of us better.”

Vigfusson, sitting second in team scoring with 33 points, says that their chemistry has been years in the making.

“I’ve actually played with Hayden for a long time, and then playing with Boles a lot last year and the chemistry we built has really helped,” Vigfusson says. “We’re able to dominate the zone, and we know where each other are at all times, so it’s been really good.”

Wheddon echoes his teammate, emphasizing that versatility and familiarity are key.

“I think we all bring something similar, but also different to the line,” says Wheddon. “There’s speed, there’s grit, there’s skill, and the chemistry we had from playing with each other has helped our success this season.”

But the Nighthawks’ strength goes beyond their top scorers. Players repeatedly point to the culture inside the dressing room.

“This year has felt different from other years, and you can tell that this group is special,” Vigfusson says. “There’s no groups or cliques in here. Everyone just likes hanging out with each other.”

Wheddon points out that this bond extends well beyond game nights.

“It’s also an off-ice thing,” he says. “We’re building a lot of chemistry off the ice as well. A huge credit goes out to the coaching staff who gets us together a lot as a team.”

And with a historic season unfolding around him, Wheddon admits the moment has been special.

“I don’t think I’ve had a start to the season like this in my life, especially in junior hockey,” Wheddon says. “It’s been a lot of fun doing this, especially with this group of guys.”

For Vigfusson, in his role as captain, leading the team has come naturally.

“Honestly, it’s pretty easy to lead this group of guys,” says Vigfusson. “Everybody is pretty bought in, so I’ve been able to just do my job and let the boys do theirs.”

Head coach Dwight Hirst, who is in his second full season behind the Nighthawks bench, believes that continuity is a major reason for the team’s success.

“The biggest thing for us this year is having the same core group of players here for a second straight season,” Hirst says. “There’s a way we play here and a certain standard we uphold, and the core group that’s been here the last couple seasons lead the way.”

That standard is enforced from within.

“The players themselves are holding each other accountable, whether it’s in the gym, in the community, or on the ice,” Hirst adds. “They’ll call each other out whether you’re the captain, veteran, or first-year player.”

The term “tight-knit group” has been used to describe the club on numerous occasions, but Hirst says he would describe them as more loose than tight.

“Some teams buckle under pressure, but this group is used to that pressure, and when games have become tense, the team has remained loose. They are thriving under that tension.”

A major focus this season has been dictating games early, something the Nighthawks have been very successful at in their first 20 games. They’ve scored first in every game except for five.

“Getting the first goal and dictating pace has definitely helped us,” says Hirst. “Whenever you can get an opponent chasing and playing the way you want them to, you have a good chance at being successful.”

In previous seasons, allowing the first goal may have put the Nighthawks on their heels. But this season, there’s a different feeling among the team when they fall behind: the belief that they can come back.

“They don’t fray away from the pressure,” says Hirst. “They stick to the structure. And if the opportunity is not there, we wait. And if it is there, we take it.”

Despite the hot start, the staff remains focused on the cleaning up the finer details, especially with special teams.

“You can never be good enough in those departments. We are getting to the heavier portion of our schedule, so we’re honing in on the finer details.”

As for enjoying the ride, the staff is staying grounded.

“Winning is fun but it also comes at a cost,” Hirst adds. “Success is like a fee that’s due every day, and the players have shown us where the bar is. It’s up to us to make sure they don’t slip below it.”