When you're the new kids in town, expectations tend to be modest—stay competitive, learn the ropes, and aim to build something for the future. Apparently, nobody told RINK Hockey Academy Winnipeg’s U15 team.
In their first-ever season competing in the CSSHL U15 Division II, RHA Winnipeg defied expectations, claiming the 2025 Western Championship with an impressive playoff run. Not bad for a debut.
Here’s how they did it:
Round Robin Challenges Set the Stage
RHA Winnipeg’s championship journey started off with anything but ease. Their round-robin games tested the team's resolve early, resulting in two losses: a narrow 5-4 defeat against their sister academy, RHA Kelowna, followed by a 5-2 loss to St. George’s School.
In their opener against RHA Kelowna, Winnipeg found themselves quickly trailing 3-0. Despite a late-game surge—sparked by two goals from Kelson Hawreluik and a pair from Beck Van Kemenade—Winnipeg’s comeback fell just short. A tough way to start, but as any hockey coach will tell you, championships aren't decided in game one.
Their second matchup, a 5-2 loss against St. George’s, featured an early lead courtesy of Bo Sabourin. But the Saints quickly responded with relentless pressure, putting up five unanswered goals before Max Xing grabbed a late consolation marker. At 0-2, RHA Winnipeg headed into the playoff rounds as underdogs—but perhaps that's exactly what they needed.
Quarterfinal Redemption
When you're backed into a corner, you learn what a team is made of. Winnipeg found that identity against a familiar opponent—St. George’s School—in the quarterfinal. They opened the scoring early thanks to Ryder Olford, only to see St. George’s quickly reply with two rapid-fire goals. But instead of folding, Winnipeg rallied back. Braedan Gilbertson knotted the game late in the second, setting the stage for Olford to play hero in the third, scoring his second of the game and delivering RHA Winnipeg into the semifinals with a gritty 3-2 win.
It was their first playoff victory—and it wouldn't be their last.
Dramatic Overtime Victory in Semifinal Thriller
Every championship run has a signature moment, and for RHA Winnipeg, it was the semifinal against STAR Hockey Academy. In what quickly turned into a classic, Winnipeg and STAR exchanged leads multiple times. Down 5-3 entering the third period, Winnipeg faced elimination but refused to quit.
Capitalizing on STAR’s penalties, Winnipeg’s special teams stepped up. Kelson Hawreluik and Jack Arseniuk each scored their second goals of the game on the power play, tying things up and forcing overtime.
In OT, under immense pressure, Winnipeg’s Aiden Christie raced in off the rush, fired the puck past STAR’s goaltender, and completed an unforgettable comeback, sealing a 6-5 victory. Goaltender Haize Brightnose turned in an epic 54-save performance, showing championship mettle when it mattered most.
Championship Final: Completing the Cinderella Story
After fighting their way to the finals, Winnipeg faced the team that handed them their opening defeat—RHA Kelowna—in a championship rematch that felt like poetic justice.
The title game opened with disciplined, tight-checking hockey before Winnipeg broke through midway into the first period, with goals from Ryder Olford and Zachary Haney just 13 seconds apart.
In the second, Winnipeg kept the momentum going, as Kelson Hawreluik scored on the power play to extend their lead to 3-0. Kelowna wouldn't go quietly, responding with goals from Dexter Labrecque and Harrison Sharman, cutting the deficit to 3-2 early in the third.
But this Winnipeg team had learned how to respond to adversity. Rather than buckle, Winnipeg sealed their championship with two third-period power-play goals from Aiden Christie and Jack Arseniuk, finishing with a decisive 5-2 victory. Brightnose, stellar once again, made an impressive 47 saves to secure the title.
Building the Foundation for the Future
Winning a championship in your first season is remarkable, but it speaks volumes about the culture and philosophy established by RHA Winnipeg. This team overcame adversity, repeatedly rallied under pressure, and displayed the kind of resilience coaches dream about.
U15 Head Coach Jon Carlson emphasized the significance of the group’s effort this season:
"This Championship is a true testament to this group’s character, perseverance, and resiliency. Nothing came easy for us all season, but rather than getting discouraged and frustrated, these boys approached every day as a new challenge and opportunity to grow. I could not be more proud of their effort and determination down the stretch."
Assistant Coach Jarrett Oster echoed the sentiment, highlighting the players' persistent positivity and commitment:
"This year was definitely filled with lots of ups and downs and lots of adversity. It was awesome to see the boys stay positive and show up to the rink every day hungry to get better as a team. For the boys to win the Championship and come together down the stretch was inspiring for everyone who was a part of the process, and I couldn't be prouder of our group."
Their Division II Championship victory sends a clear message across the CSSHL—this is a program building something special, and it's doing it much faster than expected.
As RHA Winnipeg’s U15 Division II squad hoisted their trophy, one thing became clear: they're just getting started, and the future looks exceptionally bright.