2026-27 MANITOBA BISONS/USPORTS

[Hollywood2]

July 24, 2026: BISONS HAVE A HAT-TRICK OF STORIES

Three recruits previously announced on Elite Prospects and the LOI registry now have press release stories and flashy new pictures. All three are accustomed to skating around with a trophy. I have prior posts on all (from July 1st & 8th) which contain links and background material, which I will not repeat here.


LIAM LONGO - D - Toronto Patriots (OJHL)

Here's the website caption:

A two-way defenceman, Longo contributed 20 points in 45 OJHL games. He was even more dynamic in the playoffs, helping the Patriots to a conference title and berth at nationals for the first time in 12 years with ten points in 20 games.

Links:
➤ GoBisons.ca: Buckland Cup Champ Liam Longo commits to Manitoba


COLE UNGER - D - Melfort Mustangs (SJHL)

Unlike the others listed today, Unger won his SJHL titles in 2024 and 2025. Here's his caption:

Over three seasons with Melfort, Unger advanced to the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) national championship twice, competing for the Centennial Cup in both 2024 and 2025 following league titles in the SJHL. During two runs to the final of the CJHL’s most prestigious tournament, Unger recorded three points over ten total games.

Links:
➤ GoBisons: Two-time SJHL champion Cole Unger chooses Manitoba


NOAH LODOEN - F - Toronto Patriots (OJHL)

Lodoen's caption is brief:

Lodoen is the second member of the Toronto Patriots to sign with Manitoba, alongside defenceman Liam Longo

Links:
➤ GoBisons.ca: A Toronto reunion: Buckland Cup champion Noah Lodoen joins Manitoba's loaded recruiting class

After issuing a story announcing the end of a 13-man recruiting class, the Banjo-Cats have one more kitten in the litter. Here's the details, in the form of the above omnibus post of CW recruits to date:

Braydan Smith - D - Blackfalds Bulldogs (BCHL) [prior: Nanaimo, Victoria, & Trail (BCHL), Des Moines (USHL)]
Link: Braydan Smith - Stats, Contract, Salary & More
BCHL: 110 GP, 3 G, 13 A, 16 Pts
USHL: 47 GP, 1 G, 4 A, 5 Pts

Links:
➤ CougarsAndRams.com: Cougars add defenceman Braydan Smith

 

[Hollywood2]

August 6, 2026: STORIES AROUND THE CW

Calgary, MacEwan, and Mount Royal issued press release stories this week, and the Bisons got another story from local press. They are sure getting a lot of such stories this off-season. The story about goaltender Austin Dubinsky and is from The Carillon (from Steinbach) and the picture is from the Centennial Cup semi-final where Niverville beat Canmore, AB.

Links:
➤ The Carillon: Dubinsky commits to University of Manitoba

After goaltender Carl Stankowski left the Town of Bedrock for Scotland the Brave, forward Mack Stewart is off to the Stuttgart Rebels of the Oberliga Süd which is Germany's third tier. A few years back the Bisons played teams from Germany's second tier.

Links:
➤ GoDinos.com: Stewart goes pro with Stuttgart Rebels in Germany

The Family Guys have announced their 9th recruit, who's also listed at Elite Prospects. Here's the summary in the format of the Transactions Summary above:

Sam Ward - D - Flin Flon (SJHL) [prior: Swift Current & Wenatchee (WHL), Vernon & Victoria (BCHL)]
Link: Sam Ward - Stats, Contract, Salary & More
WHL: 92 GP, 4 G, 12 A, 16 Pts
BCHL: 71 GP, 5 G, 20 A, 25 Pts
SJHL: 35 GP, 8 G, 15 A, 23 Pts

Links:
➤ MacEwan: Griffins net strong puck-moving D-man Ward off SJHL champion Flin Flon Bombers

The pipeline to Europe continues to flow with CW graduates. Josh Tarzwell is leaving the Bluegars to take the high road to the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lormond. He might be willing to skate 500 miles, and even 500 more, but I would recommend that he take a plane. The Bisons once faced the Glasgow Clan on a tour of their own.

Links:
➤ MRU: MHKY: Josh Tarzwell signs first professional contract with Glasgow Clan

 

[Hollywood2]

August 7, 2026: T-IRDS SIGN FIVE MORE

Using the format of the Transactions Summary above, here are the players:

Brayden Schuurman - C/RW - Colorado College (NCAA) [prior: Victoria, Moose Jaw, Seattle (WHL)]
Link: Brayden Schuurman - Stats, Contract, Salary & More
NCAA: 36 GP, 4 G, 5 A, 9 Pts
WHL: 235 GP, 83 G, 97 A, 180 Pts

Zeke Nicholson - C/LW - Robert Morris (NCAA) [prior: Alberni Valley (BCHL)]
Link: Zeke Nicholson - Stats, Contract, Salary & More
NCAA: 12 GP, 0 G, 1 A, 1 Pts
BCHL: 183 GP, 37 G, 46 A, 83 Pts

Austin Fraser - F - Simon Fraser (Indy/NCAA2) [prior: Lindenwoods (NCAA), Prince George & Coquitlam (BCHL)]
Link: Austin Fraser - Stats, Contract, Salary & More
NCAA: 24 GP, 2 G, 2 A, 4 Pts
Indy: 40 GP, 6 G, 13 A, 19 Pts
BCHL: 126 GP, 31 G, 30 A, 61 Pts

Ewan Rennie - F - Estevan (SJHL) [prior: Langley & Surrey (BCHL)]
Link: Ewan Rennie - Stats, Contract, Salary & More
SJHL: 109 GP, 55 G, 77 A, 132 Pts
BCHL: 82 GP, 6 G, 14 A, 20 Pts

Arjun Bawa - F - Chilliwack (BCHL) [prior: Red Deer, Seattle, Prince George (WHL)]
Link: Arjun Bawa - Stats, Contract, Salary & More
WHL: 177 GP, 17 G, 20 A, 37 Pts
BCHL: 93 GP, 8 G, 18 A, 26 Pts

Prior to this announcement, they had just four recruits (a goaltender and three defencemen) confirmed by themselves and Elite Prospects. It seems that there are large numbers of recruits this year in the CW:
Regina - 13
Alberta - 12
Manitoba - 10
MacEwan - 9
U.B.C. - 9
Mount Royal - 8
Calgary - 6
Saskatchewan - 6
Trinity - 5

Links:
➤ GoThunderbirds.ca: Forward recruit class adds dynamism to new-look ‘Birds
➤ Elite Prospects: UBC Team Page