The Manitoba U18 AAA Playoffs have officially arrived, and the Pembina Valley Hawks are set to battle the Winnipeg Wild in Round 1 of the 2026 postseason. The best-of-five series begins Saturday, February 28 at the HFAC in Winnipeg, with both teams looking to set the tone early.
Pembina Valley Hawks
Offensive Firepower & Depth Scoring
The Hawks’ offense has been the driving force behind their success throughout the 2025–26 season. With a deep, highly skilled forward group, Pembina Valley boasts one of the most dangerous attacks in the league, featuring multiple players producing at near-elite levels.
Leading the charge is the lethal veteran trio of Cole Secord, Carson Hiebert & Ragnar Gillis. The trio has consistently shown that it takes just one opportunity to swing momentum in the Hawks’ favor.
Carson Hiebert — 36 goals, 46 assists (82 points)
Cole Secord — 30 goals, 47 assists (77 points)
Ragnar Gillis — 22 goals, 41 assists (63 points)
Their combined ability to finish and create offense has made them one of the league’s most dangerous & dynamic trios in the league.
Beyond their top stars, the Hawks have received strong secondary scoring throughout the lineup. Contributions from both the top six and the depth lines have played a critical role in key moments this season.
Caden McMahon — 33 goals, 24 assists (57 points)
Ty Pethybridge — 24 goals, 33 assists (57 points)
Ocean Fehr — 23 goals, 33 assists (56 points)
Nolan Bravo — 6 goals, 16 assists (22 points)
Mason Leite — 11 goals, 8 assists (19 points)
Defensive Contributions
Pembina Valley’s blue line provides a strong blend of offensive upside and defensive reliability. The Hawks’ defensemen bring a physical presence, compete hard in board battles, and do an effective job protecting high-danger areas around their net.
Leading the offensive charge from the back end are:
Parker Henderson — 3 goals, 41 assists (44 points)
Casey Magarrell — 9 goals, 29 assists (38 points)
Paxton White — 10 goals, 18 assists (28 points)
Meanwhile, the defensively focused trio of Aaron Hiebert, Eli Jones, and Joel Friesen may not fill the scoresheet, but their awareness, physical play, and penalty-killing work have been vital—especially during challenging stretches this season.
Goaltending
In goal, the Hawks have relied on a tandem that has delivered stability despite some ups and downs. The coaching staff has occasionally employed a shorter leash, but both goaltenders have stepped up when it has mattered most.
Koen Bleznuk has shown flashes of strong play, posting a 3.93 GAA and .904 save percentage, using his resilience to settle into games during pressure moments.
Brody Peters has provided steady, composed performances as he’ll enter the playoffs with a 3.68 GAA and .894 save percentage, giving the Hawks confidence between the pipes.
League-Leading Power Play
One of Pembina Valley’s biggest strengths is its elite special teams play. The Hawks finished the regular season with the top power play in the MB U18 AAA League, converting at an impressive 32.0%.
The top unit of—Carson Hiebert, Ragnar Gillis, Caden McMahon, Casey Magarrell, and Parker Henderson—has been consistently dangerous. Their puck movement, positional interchangeability, and ability to attack from multiple angles keep penalty kills guessing. McMahon serves as the primary trigger man, using his quick release and heavy shot to capitalize on high-quality looks.
The second unit of Ocean Fehr, Carson Hiebert, Ty Pethybridge, Cole Secord, and Paxton White has also made a strong impact, providing timely goals and sustained pressure. Their contributions have been key in maintaining the Hawks’ league-leading efficiency.
Overall Thoughts from the coaching staff
With the playoffs right around the corner, having the right game plan is essential to winning any hockey game. That formula remains the same for the Pembina Valley Hawks, who rely on a high-powered offense, a physical defensive core, and strong goaltending.
Hawks head coach Jeff Andrews believes this is the team’s opportunity to show why they’ll be a tough matchup come playoff time.
“At this time of year, every team is focused on improving, and we need to ensure we’re doing the same. Competing against strong teams like the Wild, Wheat Kings, and Bruins in February has reinforced how critical it is to execute the details of our game plan consistently. If we remain disciplined and committed to our structure, we’re confident in our ability to compete with and defeat any team in the playoffs.”