After a season abruptly comes to an end, it gives you a chance to step back and reflect—and for the Yorkton Terriers, the 2025–26 campaign was nothing short of magical.
The Terriers captured their first division title in six years, a milestone that felt even more meaningful after falling just short the season prior. The standard was set in 2024–25—but this year, Yorkton raised it to another level.
They took the city on a remarkable ride, advancing all the way to the Canterra Seeds Cup Final for the first time since 2014. Along the way, they defeated their Highway 10 rivals, the Melville Millionaires, in six games in Round One, before delivering one of the most memorable moments of the season—a thrilling Game 7 victory over the Battlefords North Stars at Westland Arena. While the Terriers ultimately fell short against Flin Flon in the final, it did little to take away from what was an unforgettable season.
Yorkton led the SJHL offensively with 237 goals, paced the league with 17 road victories, and saw several players enjoy breakout seasons.
At the forefront was Gabriel Courchesne, who led the SJHL in scoring with 80 points while earning nominations for MVP and Forward of the Year. The Drummondville, QC product dazzled night after night alongside childhood friend William Léonard, who turned in an outstanding 69-point campaign of his own. Completing the trio was Yorkton product Jye Zawatsky, who exploded offensively in his final junior season, posting career highs across the board with 28 goals, 43 assists, and 71 points. All three finished among the league’s top five scorers.
On the blue line, Thomas Ries put together a season to remember, capturing SJHL Defenceman of the Year honours after leading all defencemen with 48 points. The Humboldt native continued his strong play into the postseason, adding eight goals during the playoff run.
Rookie forward Cash Lanigan also made his mark, earning Rookie of the Year honours after a standout debut season. Lanigan quickly became a fan favourite thanks to his hard-nosed style and scoring touch, finishing with 19 goals and 48 points.
Between the pipes, Callum Creig was a steady presence all season long, earning a nomination for Goaltender of the Year. He was a true workhorse in the playoffs, starting all but one game and consistently giving the Terriers a chance to win night in and night out.
Behind the bench, Head Coach and General Manager Emery Olauson and his staff have positioned the organization for continued success. With the potential to return upwards of 20 players from this year’s roster, the foundation remains strong.
The Terriers will say goodbye to key veterans, including captain Tylan Henrikson, Tyler Palin, Riley Cormier, Vinay Junek, and Jye Zawatsky as they age out of junior hockey—but their impact on this group won’t be forgotten.
To our incredible fans—thank you. Your energy made Westland Arena one of the toughest rinks in the SJHL and helped lead the league in attendance.
Thank you, Yorkton. We’ll be back—and we’re just getting started.
The future is bright. The Terriers will be back—hungry and driven by unfinished business.
