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.
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.[7]
| 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 |
| Keystone Cup | 1984--> |
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 | |
| 23 | 6 | 17 | 0 | - | 72 | 147 | 12 | 4th CMJHL | |||
| 34 | 3 | 28 | 3 | - | 104 | 236 | 9 | 8th MJHL | |||
| 34 | 12 | 20 | 2 | - | 127 | 156 | 26 | 6th MJHL | |||
| 48 | 27 | 15 | 6 | - | 163 | 158 | 60 | 2nd MJHL | |||
| 48 | 33 | 14 | 1 | - | 266 | 193 | 67 | 2nd MJHL | |||
| 48 | 32 | 16 | 0 | - | 280 | 187 | 62 | 1st MJHL | Won League, won AC, won AbC, won MCC | ||
| 48 | 29 | 18 | 1 | - | 255 | 201 | 59 | 4th MJHL | |||
| 48 | 25 | 22 | 1 | - | 223 | 209 | 51 | 4th MJHL | |||
| 52 | 25 | 27 | 0 | - | 236 | 245 | 50 | 7th MJHL | |||
| 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 | |
| 62 | 42 | 15 | - | 5 | 278 | 188 | 89 | 3rd MJHL | Won League | ||
| 62 | 46 | 13 | - | 3 | 287 | 175 | 95 | 2nd MJHL | Won League | ||
| 62 | 35 | 17 | - | 10 | 223 | 173 | 80 | 2nd MJHL | Lost quarter-final | ||
| 62 | 40 | 15 | - | 7 | 227 | 164 | 87 | 1st MJHL | Won League, won AC | ||
| 62 | 42 | 15 | - | 5 | 266 | 189 | 89 | 1st MJHL | Won League | ||
| 60 | 32 | 27 | - | 1 | 188 | 188 | 65 | 6th MJHL | Lost quarter-final | ||
| 60 | 36 | 16 | - | 8 | 206 | 155 | 80 | 4th MJHL | Lost quarter-final | ||
| 60 | 53 | 3 | - | 4 | 285 | 120 | 110 | 1st MJHL | Won League, Won RBC | ||
| 60 | 52 | 6 | - | 2 | 276 | 123 | 106 | 1st MJHL | Won League | ||
| 60 | 37 | 19 | - | 4 | 256 | 198 | 78 | 5th MJHL | Won League | ||
| 60 | 38 | 16 | - | 6 | 251 | 163 | 78 | 3rd MJHL | Lost quarter-final | ||
| 60 | 46 | 11 | - | 3 | 277 | 150 | 95 | 1st MJHL | Won League, won AC | ||
| 60 | 44 | 14 | - | 2 | 240 | 145 | 90 | 2nd MJHL | Cancelled | ||
| 8 | 4 | 3 | - | 1 | 25 | 25 | 9 | 5th MJHL | Cancelled | ||
| 54 | 23 | 24 | - | 7 | 169 | 186 | 53 | 8th MJHL | DNQ | ||
| 58 | 43 | 11 | - | 4 | 181 | 206 | 86 | 1st MJHL | Lost-Semi-final |
Selkirk Steelers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-2
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
Portage Terriers defeated Brandon Travellers 4-games-to-2
Selkirk Steelers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
Portage Terriers defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-none
Selkirk Steelers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
Brandon Travellers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
Selkirk Steelers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
Portage Terriers defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-3
Selkirk Steelers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
Selkirk Steelers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
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
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
Winkler Flyers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
Portage Terriers defeated Dauphin Kings 4-games-to-1
Winkler Flyers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
Portage Terriers defeated Neepawa Natives 4-games-to-none
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
Winkler Flyers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
Neepawa Natives defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
Neepawa Natives defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
OCN Blizzard defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
OCN Blizzard defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-2
Winkler Flyers defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-2
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-none
Neepawa Natives defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
Portage Terriers defeated Neepawa Natives 4-games-to-1
OCN Blizzard defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
Portage Terriers defeated Swan Valley Stampeders 4-games-to-3
OCN Blizzard defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-1
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)
Dauphin Kings defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-2
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
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)
Steinbach Pistons defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
Steinbach Pistons defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3
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
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
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)
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)
Portage Terriers leading Dauphin Kings 2-games-to-1 when playoffs were cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic[8]
Portage Terriers defeated Niverville Nighthawks 4-games-to-1
Virden Oil Capitals defeated Portage Terriers 4-games-to-3