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

 

[Hollywood2]

August 13, 2026: CWTV SUBSCRIPTIONS NOW AVAILABLE

The CanadaWest.TV early bird pricing ends on August 16th. It is hard to find out about this. Two years ago, I missed all notifications and had to renew at full price. The CW used to put up a notice at each sport's page, and each CW team in each sport put up a notice as well. They didn't even send out an email to past subscribers. You have to go to CanadaWest.TV and click on "PASSES". It will take you to the link. They have all sports (which includes playoffs), sport-specific, and per game passes as well.

Links:
➤ CanadaWest.tv: https://canadawest.tv/packages

The Family Guys' 2026-27 Roster Page is now active, but does not include any new recruits. On the chance that this is a "work-in-progress" I will delay the roster breakdown for now.

Links:
➤ MacEwan: Roster Page
➤ Elite Prospects: MacEwan Team Page

 

[Hollywood2]

August 20, 2026: HALL OF FAME CONNECTION & MACEWAN'S ROSTER RELEASED

A new Bison recruit has the unique honour of a Hockey Hall of Fame connection before even playing a game in the CW. Hayden Wheddon has had the helmet he wore in the Niverville Nighthawks' run to the Centennial Cup on display at the HHOF. He was the MJHL's leading scorer with 90 points in 57 games.

Links:
➤ Niverville Online: Nighthawks Wheddon Makes Hockey Hall of Fame
➤ MJHL: Nighthawks helmet featured in Hockey Hall of Fame

Last week, I pointed out that the Family Guys had activated their 2026-27 roster page. However, it only had the returning players. They have now added their recruits. They get credit for being the second CW team to do so, after Regina. The stats for the conference-wide recruits are from the post dated July 14, 2026 and there was an update in a post on August 6, 2026.

Goaltenders:
Returning:
1 Zac Onyskiw G (5-7-1, 4.24 GAA, .859 S%)
35 Carson Ironside G (3-1-0, 2.48 GAA, .921 S%)

Arrivals:
29 Colin Reay - G - Prince George (BCHL)

The Family Guys had a rotation of hot-cold cycles throughout the season in their net. Eric Ward had been their #1, but Onyskiw took over from him, only to have 3rd-stringer Ironside come up with some hot games. He made a case, no doubt argued by Perry Mason, to be their playoff starter.

Defencemen:
Returning:
4 Carson Haynes D (10-0-1-1)
16 Jack Parker D (14-0-1-1)
20 Dylan Bidyk D (17-0-1-1)
21 Tyson Kowaluk D (27-0-6-6)

Arrivals:
6 Reid Larson D - Canmore (AJHL)
7 Jack Franklin D - Simon Fraser (Indy/NCAA2)
26 Casey Black D - Canmore (AJHL)
93 Sam Ward D - Flin Flon (SJHL)

The big problem for MacEwan this year could be getting goals from their blueline. Their departed players finished 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 16, 23, and 27 in team scoring last year. That's pretty good. However, that includes their top four offensive defencemen, including Keaton Dowhaniuk who has transferred to UBC. Not one of the four returning blueliners scored a goal last year. The recruits do not appear to be offensive-minded.

Forwards:
Returning:
9 Rhett Dekowny F (26-1-8-9)
10 Ethan Sundar F (27-10-16-26)
11 Tanner Fincaryk F (15-1-1-2)
12 Myles Gauld F (28-8-10-18)
17 Blake Eastman F (2-0-0-0)
18 Kadyn Chabot F (27-18-19-37)
19 Liam Hughes F (25-8-4-12)
22 Vincent Scott F (22-8-14-22)
23 Sam Simard F (28-12-16-28)
91 Ethan Mercer F (25-0-4-4)
96 Carter Chorney F (25-5-5-10)

Arrivals:
13 Evan Sundar F - Vernon (BCHL)
15 Zach Coutu F - Trail (BCHL)
25 John Szabo F - Canmore (AJHL)
27 Walker Erickson F - Simon Fraser (Indy/NCAA2)
44 Garrett Thom F - West Kelowna (BCHL)

The Mythical Mutants return their top five scorers from a year ago. Although there are no stand-out recruits, they should easily replace the departed players. They have 16 forwards on the roster, so those selected to dress should be as good as last year's line-up.

There is one new name on the roster, never previously listed at Elite Prospects or anywhere else that I noticed. Here is his stats line in the format of the Transactions Summary above:

Zach Coutu - F - Trail (BCHL) [prior: Canmore (AJHL)]
Link: Zachary Coutu - Stats, Contract, Salary & More
BCHL: 75 GP, 18 G, 49 A, 67 Pts
AJHL: 76 GP, 19 G, 31 A, 60 Pts

Links:
➤ Elite Prospects: MacEwan Team Page
➤ MacEwan: Team Roster Page
➤ CW Hockey Tech: MacEwan Team Statistics
➤ LeagueStat Media Access: 2025-26 Regular Season (scroll down to MacEwan)