Written by Gary Moskalyk
The SIJHL-champion Kam River Fighting Walleye are headed to the Max Bell Centre in Calgary, AB for the 10-team Centennial Cup beginning Thursday, May 8th. The Walleye face off Friday at noon MDT against the OJHL champion Trenton Golden Hawks, followed by games against the Grande Prairie Storm (AJHL), North Manitoba Blizzard (MJHL), and the Greater Sudbury Cubs (NOJHL). Check the Centennial Cup website for more details.
A few days after their clinching win, Kam River was back on the ice, though not at their home rink. Norwest Arena was shut down immediately after the Bill Salonen Cup game-six win against Dryden.
The Walleye made the most of a two-day junket to Ignace, one of their alternate practice venues. Autographs were signed for kids as word got out. Walleye head coach Larry Wintoneak figures they added at least 30 new, young fans in the fold.
“I thought it was awesome. The community embraced us. They were so good to us,” he said.
After a second-place finish the Walleye went 12-2 in the playoffs, sweeping Ironwood and Thunder Bay before the finals, outscoring their opponents 54-26. Wintoneak took over the head coaching reins from Dwight Lee in October. Kam River was sitting at 5-5-0 at the time. Wintoneak guided the Walleye to a 31-8-1 finish heading into the post season.
The 57-year-old former player has an extensive hockey resume. His first coaching stint came in 1991-92 as an assistant with Colonial Hockey League Thunder Bay Thunder Hawks. He served as a head coach with the Thunder Bay Flyers, Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL) and won an SIJHL championship with the Dryden Ice Dogs in 2001-02. Ironically, Bill Salonen was the GM of that squad. Stints with La Ronge (SJHL), a second year with Dryden in 2005-06, Canada West U19, Kindersley Klippers/Red Lions and Calgary Buffaloes U18AAA in 2019-20 followed, preceding his tenure with Kam River.
Wintoneak and staff reviewed tapes of their upcoming opponents. The Thunder Bay native drew on his extensive hockey connections for further intel heading into the Centennial Cup.
The Walleye are a distinct underdog. The SIJHL is 0-12 in its last three Centennial Cups. The Walleye were 0-4 in their last trip back in 2023.
The 2025 version brings a big line, plenty of excellent secondary scoring, and a grade A goaltender to the Centennial.
Jett Mintenko, Kaden Goodwin and Daxton Lang had 17, 15 and 15 points respectively to lead all playoff scoring. Carter Poddubny finished fourth overall with 14 points. Defenceman Edwin Liang had 12 playoff points. Rookie Zach Baumann had 11 points in 14 games.
Forward Jacob Lamoureux is day-to-day on the injury list. He had nine points in nine games, tied with Amar Powar, who registered his nine points in 14 games.
Playoff MVP Ashton Sadauskas played every minute in net, winning 12 of his 14 starts with a 1.77 goals against average and .935 save percentage.
Kam River had a 24.5% playoff power play, and 83.3% penalty kill.
Wintoneak shared his thoughts heading into the Centennial Cup.
“This is my third time here,” he said. “I told the players we’re going to enjoy every minute of it. Sometimes, when you put the outcome first, that creates the pressure. I’m not thinking negative at all. I have no idea what happened in the past. I don’t really care, to be honest with you. I know what our team is all about. We’re representing our league. I can tell you this: we’re first class all the way. The way we dress, the way we act, the way we play. I know every team that I’ve ever coached we’ve always had good rapports, we’re kind of the sweethearts.
“And we’re the underdogs, there’s no doubt about it. I’ll take that role anytime,” he added.
Wintoneak takes special pride in defence.
“We can defend. We can play away from the puck. We check hard. We understand that concept of playing away from the puck. That’s the way we won an SIJHL championship in the first place.”
A former gritty defenceman, Wintoneak reflected back on the season’s journey.
“If you told me when I first got there in October that I’d be sitting in the Winnipeg airport ready to take off (for Calgary)–it’s pretty cool . . . This team has done everything I’ve ever asked for. It’s a great group, a close-knit group. They’re excited to be here.”
Games are available for live stream, download, or both via Hockey Canada’s website. Fees apply.
