The Bantam AAA Eastman Selects are here to stay. The Eastman Selects have 19 players from the Eastman region, including two former Niverville Clippers, Mason Wiebe and Denis Gagnon, along with players from Île-des-Chênes, Lorette, Dominion City, Steinbach, Grunthal, Oakbank, Cook’s Creek, and Ste. Anne. The team is comprised of players born between 2002–2003.
Head coach Chuck Edwards and assistant coach Todd Anderson both hail from Niverville. Former Niverville resident Tony Lenchyshyn serves as assistant coach, and trainer Kate Wiens comes from Glenlea.
Currently the team hits the ice four to five times a week with practices, games, and dryland training.
“Being part of this team is a big commitment from the players, coaches, and the families,” says team manager Maurice Gagnon. “The team’s home ice is Landmark Arena, [and they travel] across Manitoba and Saskatchewan for games and tournaments.”
Currently the Eastman Selects have 14 wins and 11 losses, with nine more games in February before the playoffs begin.
On January 14, four players were selected to be part of the Bantam AAA All-Star Game held at the MTS Iceplex: Ethan McColm, Maddux Mateychuk, Kade Runke, and Denis Gagnon.
During the Christmas break, the team was visited by Tyler Anderson, a former Niverville Clipper and Eastman Selects player. Anderson currently plays in the British Columbia Hockey League for the Junior A Prince George Spruce Kings. Anderson practiced with the team, sharing tips and tricks with the players.
