Following a season that saw the Thistles win the Hockey Northwestern Ontario U18 ‘AAA’ Branch Championship for the first time in a decade, followed by a berth in the Telus Cup Regional Championship, the 2025/2026 season will be a fresh start for what is now the highest level of competitive hockey in Kenora.
The roster features only five returning players from last year; Ethan Rody, Jeremy Hutchison, Nathan Ogilvie, Cash Lappage and Quentin Thompson.
This edition of the Thistles is also younger with 11 players, or just over 50% of the team, born in 2010 and playing U18 ‘AAA’ hockey for the first time. Six of those rookies have moved up from the U15 Thistles, who won the Winnipeg U15 ‘AA’ Hockey League last season.
On the other side Hutchison, Lappage, Thompson and Manny Ross are the only players in their third and final year of U18 eligibility.
Hutchison, who has 91 regular season games with the U18 Thistles under his belt, says that he’s excited for the season. “Big things are coming, and I’m proud to represent this great team and this community,” says the Dryden, ON product, “I cannot wait to work with the new staff and players…it’s going to be the best year yet.”
Jeremy will be joined on the team this year by his younger brother, Logan, who spent last season with the U15 Thistles.
On top of an almost entire new roster, the Thistles also have a new coaching staff and management team. Returning to the U18 bench as head coach is Brian Kozak, who co-coached the team to a National Championship semi-final appearance back in 2004. Kozak brings a wealth of experience training elite athletes from the junior, college and pro ranks, as well as collaborating with high-performance professionals and U.S. Navy SEALs. He emphasizes the educational foundations of health and wellness, with the goal being not just to achieve but to return full circle and serve.
The U18 Thistles kick off their 2025/2026 Manitoba U18 ‘AAA’ Hockey League campaign on September 26th in Steinbach against the EastMan Selects. They’ll open up at home on October 24th as they welcome the Interlake Lightning to the Moncrief Construction Sports Centre.