Shannon Coulter
This year’s playoffs are one for the record books for the Miramichi Timberwolves, and now the focus turns to an opportunity to compete for a national title at the 2024 Centennial Cup, presented by Tim Hortons.
When the postseason began, the Timberwolves were in the middle of the Maritime Junior Hockey League (MHL) standings, fourth with a 31-16-2 record, scoring the fifth-most goals (211), allowing the fourth-most goals against (182). Special teams were a bright spot for Miramichi, boasting an 82.1% success rate on the penalty kill.
However, when it was time for the playoffs, the Timberwolves kicked things into high gear. After a five-game series with the third-place West Kent Steamers, Miramichi swept the Edmundston Blizzard for a spot in the MHL final against the first-place Summerside Western Capitals.
It was a close matchup with five one-goal games, but the Timberwolves got the job done in six games to win the first MHL championship in their 24th season and advance to the Centennial Cup for the first time.
Ludovic Dufort was a leader on offence, registering 46 goals and 82 points during the regular season. The 21-year-old added three goals and 16 points during the playoffs.
Goaltender Jack Flanagan came off the bench during Game 3 against the Steamers and went on an 11-2 run, posting a 2.86 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. The 19-year-old earned playoff MVP honours for his efforts.
The Timberwolves also have talent behind the bench. Kory Baker played 15 years of pro hockey in the ECHL, Sweden, Denmark and Finland before returning home to Miramichi to become head coach at the start of the 2022-23 season.
It’s been over 20 years since an Atlantic team has won Canada’s National Junior A Championship. The Halifax Oland Exports were the last national titlists, winning on home ice in 2002.
HOW THEY GOT TO OAKVILLE
Maritime Junior Hockey League Quarterfinal: defeated West Kent Steamers 4-1 (3-5, 5-1, 2-1, 5-4, 4-3 OT) Semifinal: defeated Edmundston Blizzard 4-0 (3-2, 5-4, 4-3 2OT, 4-2) Final: defeated Summerside Western Capitals 4-2 (5-6 2OT, 5-1, 4-3, 4-3, 1-2 2OT, 5-4)
REGULAR SEASON
Record (W-L-OTL): 31-16-2 (4th in MHL) Goals for: 211 (5th in MHL) Goals against: 182 (4th in MHL) Power play: 43 for 209 (20.6% – 7th in MHL) Penalty killing: 170 of 207 (82.1% – 3rd in MHL) Longest winning streak: 7 (Sept. 27-Oct. 22)
Top 3 scorers: • Ludovic Dufort – 46G 36A 82P (3rd in MHL) • Hugo Audette – 14G 46A 60P (18th in MHL) • Jeremy Duhamel – 23G 35A 58P (20th in MHL)
PLAYOFFS
Record: 12-3 Goals for: 59 Goals against: 44 Power play: 11 for 52 (21.2%) Penalty killing: 42 of 53 (79.2%)
Top 3 scorers: • Zachael Turgeon – 9G 14A 23P • David Doucet – 13G 7A 20P • Hugo Audette – 3G 17A 20P
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY
First appearance
COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY COMMITMENTS
Jeremy Duhamel – Nipissing University (2024-25)
CJHL TOP 20 RANKINGS
Oct. 2 – not ranked Oct. 9 – 16th Oct. 16 – 8th Oct. 23 – 8th Oct. 30 – 9th Nov. 6 – 14th Nov. 13 – 19th Nov. 20 – not ranked Nov. 27 – Honourable Mention Dec. 4 – not ranked Dec. 11 – not ranked Dec. 18 – not ranked Jan. 8 – not ranked Jan. 15 – not ranked Jan. 22 – not ranked Jan. 29 – not ranked Feb. 5 – not ranked Feb. 12 – not ranked Feb. 19 – not ranked Feb. 26 – not ranked March 4 – not ranked March 11 – 11th