The Portage Terriers are a Canadian junior "A" ice hockey team from Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, Canada. They are members of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, a part of the Canadian Junior Hockey League.

Portage Terriers
CityPortage la Prairie, Manitoba
LeagueManitoba Junior Hockey League
DivisionEast
Founded1932
Home arenaStride Place
ColoursGreen, black, white
General managerBlake Spiller
Head coachBlake Spiller
Media
Championships
Playoff championships
  • 1942 Memorial Cup Champions
  • 1973 Centennial Cup Champions
  • 2015 Royal Bank Cup Champions

History

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The Portage Terriers were founded in 1932. Ten years later the Terriers won the Turnbull Cup as Manitoba junior champions and went on to defeat the Oshawa Generals to win the Memorial Cup. Their roster included Joe Bell, Gordon Bell, Billy Gooden, Lin Bend, Jack MacDonald, Wally Stefaniw, Bobby Love, Oliver "Bud" Ritchie, Bill Heindl Sr., Jack O'Reilly, Joe Ledoux, Lloyd Smith and Don Campbell.[1]

A shortage of players following World War II forced the Terriers to cease operations in 1947. The Portage Terriers would be reborn twenty years later as members of the new Central Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The CMJHL lasted only one season before it merged with the MJHL.[2] The Terriers became a Junior 'A' club following the reorganization of Canadian junior hockey in 1970. In 1972-73, the Terriers won the ANAVET Cup as Manitoba-Saskatchewan champions and Abbott Cup as Western Canadian champions, and then defeated the Pembroke Lumber Kings to win the 1973 Centennial Cup.

The team endured some tough years following their Centennial Cup appearance and it was not until 1989 that the Terriers would recapture the league title. Since the mid-2000s, the Terriers have been the MJHL's most dominant franchise, winning nine Turnbull Cups, three ANAVET Cups, and one national championship (2015).

During the 2014-15 season, the Terriers set a new league record by posting a winning percentage of .917 during the regular season, after which they went undefeated through the playoffs to capture the Turnbull Cup.[3] The Terriers finished second at the Western Canada Cup and then moved on to host the 2015 Royal Bank Cup in Portage la Prairie, where they captured the national title with a victory over the Carleton Place Canadians in the championship game.[4] The 2020 national championship, rechristened as the Centennial Cup, was also to be played in Portage la Prairie but cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic.[5]

The Terriers have played at Stride Place, originally named the Portage Credit Union Centre, since 2010. Prior to this, the Terriers played at the Portage Centennial Arena. The team's head coach and general manager is Blake Spiller, who has held the position since 2006. Spiller is the winningest coach in the team's history.[6]

The 1942 and 1972-73 Portage Terriers have been inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame under the team category.[1][7]

List of championships

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Championship Years Won
Turnbull Cup 1942, 1973, 1990, 2005, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019
Abbott Cup 1942, 1973
Memorial Cup 1942
ANAVET Cup 1973, 2005, 2011, 2019
Royal Bank/Centennial Cup 1973, 2015

Season-by-season record

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Note: GP = Games Played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against

Season GP W L T OTL GF GA Points Finish Playoffs
1967-68 23 6 17 0 - 72 147 12 4th CMJHL
1968-69 34 3 28 3 - 104 236 9 8th MJHL
1969-70 34 12 20 2 - 127 156 26 6th MJHL
1970-71 48 27 15 6 - 163 158 60 2nd MJHL
1971-72 48 33 14 1 - 266 193 67 2nd MJHL
1972-73 48 32 16 0 - 280 187 62 1st MJHL Won League, won AC, won AbC, won MCC
1973-74 48 29 18 1 - 255 201 59 4th MJHL
1974-75 48 25 22 1 - 223 209 51 4th MJHL
1975-76 52 25 27 0 - 236 245 50 7th MJHL
1976-77 52 17 35 0 - 214 287 34 10th MJHL
1977-78 52 18 33 1 - 244 335 37 8th MJHL
1978-79 48 26 22 0 - 267 289 52 4th MJHL
1979-80 44 5 37 2 - 186 399 12 9th MJHL
1980-81 48 20 27 1 - 240 271 41 5th MJHL
1981-82 48 15 32 1 - 215 288 31 7th MJHL
1982-83 48 23 24 1 - 259 254 47 6th MJHL
1983-84 48 10 38 0 - 156 371 20 8th MJHL
1984-85 48 6 42 0 - 184 370 12 9th MJHL
1985-86 48 12 35 1 - 209 326 25 9th MJHL
1986-87 47 27 20 0 - 299 245 54 5th MJHL
1987-88 48 27 21 0 - 293 278 54 4th MJHL
1988-89 48 28 19 1 - 276 232 57 4th MJHL
1989-90 52 43 9 0 - 352 194 86 1st MJHL Won League
1990-91 48 23 25 0 - 268 267 46 5th MJHL
1991-92 48 29 18 0 1 310 203 59 4th MJHL
1992-93 48 34 12 2 0 282 188 70 1st MJHL
1993-94 56 31 24 1 0 -- -- 63 4th MJHL
1994-95 56 24 27 1 4 218 249 53 6th MJHL
1995-96 56 34 20 1 1 255 196 70 3rd MJHL Lost quarter-final
1996-97 56 31 22 2 1 243 200 65 3rd MJHL Lost quarter-final
1997-98 62 39 17 5 1 271 204 84 3rd MJHL
1998-99 62 42 16 2 2 310 214 88 2nd MJHL
1999-00 64 34 23 - 7 291 254 75 5th MJHL
2000-01 64 36 23 - 5 226 210 77 4th MJHL
2001-02 64 43 19 - 2 275 169 88 3rd MJHL
2002-03 64 44 12 - 8 331 181 96 2nd MJHL
2003-04 64 32 26 - 6 232 230 70 6th MJHL Lost final
2004-05 63 39 18 - 6 237 191 84 1st MJHL Won League, won AC
2005-06 63 23 30 - 10 196 218 56 8th MJHL Lost quarter-final
2006-07 62 34 20 - 8 271 231 76 5th MJHL Lost quarter-final
2007-08 62 42 15 - 5 278 188 89 3rd MJHL Won League
2008-09 62 46 13 - 3 287 175 95 2nd MJHL Won League
2009-10 62 35 17 - 10 223 173 80 2nd MJHL Lost quarter-final
2010-11 62 40 15 - 7 227 164 87 1st MJHL Won League, won AC
2011-12 62 42 15 - 5 266 189 89 1st MJHL Won League
2012-13 60 32 27 - 1 188 188 65 6th MJHL Lost quarter-final
2013-14 60 36 16 - 8 206 155 80 4th MJHL Lost quarter-final
2014-15 60 53 3 - 4 285 120 110 1st MJHL Won League, Won RBC
2015-16 60 52 6 - 2 276 123 106 1st MJHL Won League
2016-17 60 37 19 - 4 256 198 78 5th MJHL Won League
2017-18 60 38 16 - 6 251 163 78 3rd MJHL Lost quarter-final
2018-19 60 46 11 - 3 277 150 95 1st MJHL Won League, won AC
2019-20 60 44 14 - 2 240 145 90 2nd MJHL Cancelled
2020-21 8 4 3 - 1 25 25 9 5th MJHL Cancelled
2021-22 54 23 24 - 7 169 186 53 8th MJHL DNQ
2022-23 58 43 11 - 4 181 206 86 1st MJHL Lost-Semi-final

Playoffs

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  • 1971 Lost quarter-final
Selkirk Steelers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-2
  • 1972 Lost semi-final
Portage Terriers defeated Kenora Muskies 4-games-to-1
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
Portage Terriers defeated Kenora Muskies 4-games-to-none
Portage Terriers defeated St. James Canadians 4-games-to-none MJHL CHAMPIONS
Portage Terriers defeated Humboldt Broncos (SJHL) 3-games-to-2 and a default MAN/SASK CHAMPIONS
Portage Terriers defeated Penticton Broncos (BCJHL) 4-games-to-3 ABBOTT CUP CHAMPIONS
Portage Terriers defeated Pembroke Lumber Kings (CJHL) 4-games-to-1 CENTENNIAL CUP CHAMPIONS
  • 1974 Lost semi-final
Portage Terriers defeated Brandon Travellers 4-games-to-2
Selkirk Steelers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
  • 1975 Lost semi-final
Portage Terriers defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-none
Selkirk Steelers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
  • 1976 Lost quarter-final
Brandon Travellers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
  • 1977 DNQ
  • 1978 Lost quarter-final
Selkirk Steelers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
  • 1979 Lost semi-final
Portage Terriers defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-3
Selkirk Steelers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
  • 1980 DNQ
  • 1981 Lost quarter-final
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
  • 1982 Lost quarter-final
Selkirk Steelers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
  • 1983 Lost quarter-final
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
  • 1984 Lost quarter-final
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
  • 1985 DNQ
  • 1986 DNQ
  • 1987 Lost quarter-final
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
  • 1988 Lost final
Portage Terriers defeated Selkirk Steelers 4-games-to-1
Portage Terriers defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-1
Winnipeg South Blues defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
  • 1989 Lost quarter-final
Selkirk Steelers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
Portage Terriers defeated Winkler Flyers 4-games-to-1
Portage Terriers defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-1
Portage Terriers defeated Kildonan North Stars 4-games-to-none MJHL CHAMPIONS
Nipawin Hawks (SJHL) defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-2
  • 1991 Lost quarter-final
Winkler Flyers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
  • 1992 Lost semi-final
Portage Terriers defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-1
Winkler Flyers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
  • 1993 Lost semi-final
Portage Terriers defeated Neepawa Natives 4-games-to-none
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
  • 1994 Lost quarter-final
Winkler Flyers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
  • 1995 Lost quarter-final
Neepawa Natives defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
  • 1996 Lost quarter-final
Neepawa Natives defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
  • 1997 Lost quarter-final
OCN Blizzard defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
  • 1998 Lost quarter-final
OCN Blizzard defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-2
  • 1999 Lost quarter-final
Winkler Flyers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-2
  • 2000 Lost quarter-final
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
  • 2001 Lost quarter-final
Neepawa Natives defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
  • 2002 Lost semi-final
Portage Terriers defeated Neepawa Natives 4-games-to-1
OCN Blizzard defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
  • 2003 Lost semi-final
Portage Terriers defeated Swan Valley Stampeders 4-games-to-3
OCN Blizzard defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
  • 2004 Lost final
Portage Terriers defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-none
Portage Terriers defeated Swan Valley Stampeders 4-games-to-2
Selkirk Steelers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
Portage Terriers defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-2
Portage Terriers defeated Neepawa Natives 4-games-to-1
Portage Terriers defeated Selkirk Steelers 4-games-to-2 MJHL CHAMPIONS
Portage Terriers defeated Yorkton Terriers (SJHL) 4-games-to-2 ANAVET CUP CHAMPIONS
Fifth and eliminated in 2005 Royal Bank Cup round robin (1-3)
  • 2006 Lost quarter-final
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-2
  • 2007 Lost quarter-final
Neepawa Natives defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
Portage Terriers defeated Swan Valley Stampeders 4-games-to-3
Portage Terriers defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-none
Portage Terriers defeated Winnipeg Saints 4-games-to-1 MJHL CHAMPIONS
Humboldt Broncos defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
Portage Terriers defeated Waywayseecappo Wolverines 4-games-to-none
Portage Terriers defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-none
Portage Terriers defeated Selkirk Steelers 4-games-to-1 MJHL CHAMPIONS
Humboldt Broncos defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
  • 2010 Lost quarter-final
Swan Valley Stampeders defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
Portage Terriers defeated Swan Valley Stampeders 4-games-to-2
Portage Terriers defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-2
Portage Terriers defeated Selkirk Steelers 4-games-to-1 MJHL CHAMPIONS
Portage Terriers defeated La Ronge Ice Wolves 4-games-to-3 ANAVET CUP CHAMPIONS
Fifth and eliminated from 2011 Royal Bank Cup round robin (1-3)
Portage Terriers defeated Selkirk Steelers 4-games-to-0
Portage Terriers defeated Winnipeg Blues 4-games-to-2
Portage Terriers defeated Winnipeg Saints 4-games-to-1 MJHL CHAMPIONS
Humboldt Broncos defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
Fifth and eliminated from 2012 Royal Bank Cup round robin (1-3)
  • 2013 Lost quarter-final
Steinbach Pistons defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
  • 2014 Lost quarter-final
Steinbach Pistons defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
  • 2015 Won League, WCC Runner-up, Won Royal Bank Cup
Portage Terriers defeated Waywayseecappo Wolverines 4-games-to-none
Portage Terriers defeated Virden Oil Capitals 4-games-to-none
Portage Terriers defeated Steinbach Pistons 4-games-to-none MJHL CHAMPIONS
Second in the 2015 Western Canada Cup round robin (3-1)
Penticton Vees defeated Portage Terriers 4-3 in WCC final
Portage Terriers defeated Melfort Mustangs 4-2 in WCC runner-up game
First in the 2015 Royal Bank Cup round robin (3-1)
Portage Terriers defeated Melfort Mustangs 6-1 in semi-final
Portage Terriers defeated Carleton Place Canadians 5-2 in final ROYAL BANK CUP CHAMPIONS
  • 2016 Won League, lost in WCC runner-up game
Portage Terriers defeated Selkirk Steelers 4-games-to-none
Portage Terriers defeated Winnipeg Blues 4-games-to-none
Portage Terriers defeated Steinbach Pistons 4-games-to-1 MJHL CHAMPIONS
Fourth in the 2016 Western Canada Cup round robin (2-1-1)
Melfort Mustangs defeated Portage Terriers 3-2 in runner-up game
  • 2017 Won League, lost in WCC round robin
Portage Terriers defeated Selkirk Steelers 4-games-to-2
Portage Terriers defeated Steinbach Pistons 4-games-to-2
Portage Terriers defeated OCN Blizzard 4-games-to-2 MJHL CHAMPIONS
Fifth and eliminated from 2017 Western Canada Cup round robin (1-3)
  • 2018 Lost quarter-final
Winnipeg Blues defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-2
Portage Terriers defeated Waywayseecappo Wolverines 4-games-to-0
Portage Terriers defeated Virden Oil Capitals 4-games-to-0
Portage Terriers defeated Swan Valley Stampeders 4-games-to-3 MJHL CHAMPIONS
Portage Terriers defeated Battlefords North Stars 4-games-to-1 ANAVET CUP CHAMPIONS
Fifth and eliminated from 2019 National Junior A Championship round robin (0-4)
  • 2020 Playoffs cancelled
Portage Terriers leading Dauphin Kings 2-games-to-1 when playoffs were cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[8]
  • 2021 Playoffs cancelled[9]
  • 2022 DNQ
  • 2023 Lost semi-final
Portage Terriers defeated Niverville Nighthawks 4-games-to-1
Virden Oil Capitals defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3

Notable executives

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Notable alumni

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "1942 Portage Terriers". Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  2. ^ "Portage Terriers" ("Traditional Overview"). 2015-04-04. Archived from the original on 2013-07-05. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  3. ^ "Terriers end memorable regular season with a win". Portage Daily Graphic. 2015-03-03.
  4. ^ "Terriers to host 2015 Royal Bank Cup". Chilliwack Progress. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  5. ^ "Hockey Canada statement on spring 2021 national championships". Hockey Canada. 2020-02-15.
  6. ^ "Year In Review: Portage Terriers". PortageOnline.com. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  7. ^ "1972-73 Portage Terriers". Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved 2015-04-04.
  8. ^ "MJHL COVID-19 Update: 2020 MJHL Playoffs". MJHL. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  9. ^ "MJHL cancels remainder for the 2020-21 season". Discover Westman. February 12, 2021.
  10. ^ "Portage Club Favors Return Of Ade Johnson". Winnipeg Tribune. Winnipeg, Manitoba. May 19, 1938. p. 19. 


Preceded by Centennial Cup Champions
1973
Succeeded by
Preceded by Royal Bank Cup Champions
2015
Succeeded by