The VICTORIOUS HOCKEY COMPANY’s Biweekly Newsletter: EAT OR BE EATEN

To the Hungry,

I want to talk about something I see way too often. Something that quietly derails seasons and stops development in its tracks: complacency.

Here's what happens. A kid makes a team. That moment hits. Pure relief. The stress melts away. Families are thrilled. The player finally breathes. And sometimes, without even realizing it, that exhale becomes the beginning of a backward skid.

Here's the thing: making a junior team is not the finish line. It's a starting point. Junior hockey isn't about landing a roster spot and then cruising through the season. It's about development. It's about challenging yourself every day. It's about growth.

You have to defend your locker every single day. There is always someone below you fighting for your seat. Just like you should be fighting for the seat above of you. That hunger is what keeps players climbing. Lose it, and you'll fall behind faster than you think.

The truth is, junior hockey is fluid. Ups and downs are part of the deal. You are going to get scratched some nights. You are going to feel overlooked. You might have a stretch where your confidence is shaken. That is normal. That is part of this path. But how you respond to those moments is what separates players who grow from players who stall out.

I see players and families get stuck focusing on where they think they should be. That mindset kills momentum. Instead, focus on getting better right where you are. When you're ready, the opportunities will come. Not when you feel entitled to them, when you've earned them.

This journey isn't about where you started. It's about where you're going. What you do with your opportunity, how hard you work, how coachable you are, how consistent your effort is, those are the things that move you forward.

Junior hockey isn't a place to settle in and get comfortable. It's a place to grind, grow, and earn what's next.

So, wherever you are playing right now, do not get comfortable. Stay sharp. Stay hungry. Because the guy behind you is starving.

Pass me the salt,
Mike 

­

NHL Central Scouting’s preliminary watch list for the 2026 NHL Draft highlights 469 prospects worldwide, with 27 players receiving ‘A’ ratings as first-round candidates. Penn State forward Gavin McKenna leads the list, joined by standout talents like Keaton Verhoeff, Ivar Stenberg, Tynan Lawrence, and Ethan Belchetz. Rising stars J.P. Hurlbert, Caleb Malhotra, and Egor Shilov have elevated their draft stock early this season. Meanwhile, surprise inclusions and omissions spark debate among scouts and insiders.

­

Ed Chynoweth’s visionary leadership reshaped the Canadian Hockey League, uniting the WCHL, OHA, and QMJHL into a national powerhouse. As CHL president from 1975 to 1995, he championed initiatives like the World Junior Team program and the WHL's first scholarship system, cementing ties between hockey and education. A mentor to future executives and a Memorial Cup-winning team owner, Chynoweth’s enduring impact is honored through the WHL’s Ed Chynoweth Cup and his 2008 Hockey Hall of Fame induction.

­­

Justin Gill made an immediate impact for Merrimack, scoring a power-play goal and adding an assist in his NCAA debut just hours after receiving last-minute eligibility clearance. The 22-year-old forward, a former QMJHL standout and fifth-round NHL draft pick, benefited from the NCAA’s new, more lenient rules allowing short-term pro experience. With over 250 junior games and a season in the AHL and ECHL, Gill brings scoring ability, professionalism, and leadership to Merrimack's roster.

­­

James Boyd has been appointed vice president of hockey operations for the Ontario Hockey League after nine successful seasons as general manager of the Ottawa 67’s. Boyd’s leadership brought the 67’s three regular-season titles and a 2020 General Manager of the Year award. His resume includes key roles with Hockey Canada and past executive and coaching positions in Mississauga. Recognized for player development and program success, Boyd is set to bring strategic oversight and proven leadership to the OHL front office.

­

The BCHL will host its 2026 All-Star Weekend at the new Thompson Family Arena in Spruce Grove, Alberta, from Jan. 16 to 18. Marking the league’s Alberta debut for the event, the showcase will feature top BCHL talent alongside players from the VIJHL and JPHL. The Spruce Grove Saints, in their second BCHL season, will serve as hosts. The event promises a fresh format, community celebration, and a dynamic fan experience in the state-of-the-art venue.

­­

Ten players with North American Hockey League (NAHL) ties appear on NHL Central Scouting’s Preliminary Watch List for the 2026 NHL Draft. Among them are current NAHL standouts Kaenan Smith, Joseph Erickson, and Ethan Phillips, all receiving “W” ratings as late-round prospects. Former players like Chase Reid (A rating) and Niko Tournas (C) highlight the developmental strength of the NAHL. The list recognizes both current and alumni athletes now excelling in top junior leagues across North America.

­­

Collège Français de Longueuil (LHJAAAQ) remains No. 1 in the CJHL Top 20 Rankings after extending their winning streak to 12 games, allowing just 19 goals in that span. Rockland Nationals (CCHL) stay at No. 2 with a 10-game win streak and a league-best +37 goal differential. Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) remain third with an unbeaten regulation record. Niverville Nighthawks and Panthères de St-Jérôme round out the Top 5 as MJHL and LHJAAAQ teams continue strong early-season performances.

­

Players and families, we want to hear from you. If there are any questions, concerns, or if you just want to have a conversation, please feel free to contact us directly. We want to hear from you. Good Luck and Great Hockey!

 

Thank you,

Team VHC