The Pembina Valley Hawks have put together an impressive first half of the 2025–26 season, posting a 17-9-1 record and establishing themselves as one of the most well-rounded teams in the MB U18 AAA league. Through the opening stretch, the Hawks have struck for 125 goals while allowing 104, showcasing a blend of dynamic offense and steady, disciplined team play.
Offensive Firepower
Offense has been the engine driving the Hawks’ success. With a deep, skilled forward group, Pembina Valley boasts one of the league’s most dangerous attacks—featuring multiple players producing at near-elite levels.
Cole Secord and Carson Hiebert have been a lethal one-two punch, with Cole sitting at 51 points & Carson at 46 points but contributing in similar ways.
Secord: 19 goals, 32 assists
Hiebert: 19 goals, 27 assists
Their ability to create chances—both as finishers and playmakers—has made them one of the most productive duos in the league.
Rookie sensation Caden McMahon has made the jump from U15 to U18 look seamless, leading the team with 22 goals and adding 14 assists for 36 points. His scoring touch has been a major storyline of the Hawks’ season so far.
Team captain Ragnar Gillis continues to set the tone with his leadership and reliability, contributing 11 goals and 21 assists for 32 points. Meanwhile, Ocean Fehr has provided valuable secondary scoring within the Hawks’ high-powered top six, adding 14 goals and 13 assists for 27 points.
Defensive contributions
The Hawks’ blue line has been just as impactful, providing a steady mix of offense, physicality, and shutdown play. Leading the charge offensively is Parker Henderson, who has posted 2 goals and 25 assists for 27 points, driving puck movement and transition play from the back end. Close behind is Casey Magarrell, contributing 5 goals and 17 assists for 22 points, giving the Hawks another reliable source of defense-first play with strong offensive instincts.
Paxton White has emerged as the team’s top goal-scoring threat from the blue line, tallying 7 goals along with 15 assists for 22 points, consistently jumping into the rush and providing a heavy shot from the point. The remaining trio—Aaron Hiebert, Joel Friesen, and Eli Jones—have embraced more defensive-oriented roles. Their physical presence, willingness to engage in board battles, and ability to protect the dangerous areas around their own net have made life difficult for opposing forwards. Their shutdown reliability complements the Hawks’ offensive-minded defenders perfectly, creating a balanced and effective defensive core.
Goaltending
Between the pipes, the Hawks have received solid contributions throughout the first half of the season, even as the coaching staff has occasionally needed to rely on a shorter leash during certain games. Despite some ups and downs, the tandem has provided stability when it’s been needed most.
Koen Bleznuk has shown flashes of strong play, delivering several key performances while carrying a 3.95 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage. His ability to battle through adversity and settle into games has been important for the Hawks during tighter matchups.
On the other side of the tandem, Brody Peters has given the Hawks consistently reliable outings, highlighted by his first career U18 shutout against Interlake on November 14th. Peters has posted impressive numbers with a 3.19 GAA and a .905 save percentage, providing calm, composed goaltending and building confidence within the group.
Top Powerplay in the league
One of the biggest strengths of the Hawks’ first half has been their exceptional special teams play. Pembina Valley currently boasts the top power play in the MB U18 AAA league, converting at a dominant 31.7% clip. With multiple weapons and versatile formations, the Hawks have become a constant threat whenever they go to the man advantage. The top unit—featuring Cole Secord, Ragnar Gillis, Caden McMahon, Ocean Fehr, and Paxton White—has been consistently dangerous since being put together. Their ability to generate movement, switch roles, and attack from multiple angles keeps penalty kills guessing. Caden McMahon serves as the primary trigger man, using his quick release and heavy shot to capitalize on high-quality opportunities created by the group’s crisp puck movement. The second unit of Mason Leite, Carson Hiebert, Ty Pethybridge, Casey Magarrell and Parker Henderson has also proven effective, chipping in key goals and maintaining pressure during extended power play sequences. Their recent contributions have played an important role in the Hawks sustaining their league-leading efficiency.
Looking Ahead to the Second Half
The Hawks enter the second half of the season sitting 7th in the standings with 35 points—one ahead of the Parkland Rangers—and maintaining some breathing room over the Yellowhead Chiefs, who currently hold 9th place and trail Pembina Valley by nine points.
Hawks head coach Jeff Andrews is fully aware of the team’s positioning and the importance of the games ahead. “It’s something that we as a coaching staff are keeping an eye on as the season has progressed thus far, and we know what’s required for us to clinch our spot in the playoff field,” Andrews said.
The post-holiday schedule sets up well for Pembina Valley, with four of their first five games coming at home—an environment that has treated the Hawks very well. They’ll host the Winnipeg Wild on January 7th, the Central Plains Capitals on January 11th, and the Parkland Rangers for back-to-back games on January 17th and 18th. Their lone road trip during that stretch takes them to Stride Place in Portage for a matchup with the Capitals on January 8th.