The Flin Flon Bombers weren’t the only junior A hockey team with a Saskatchewan presence to advance to the national championship Thursday.
The Niverville Nighthawks earned their way to the Centennial Cup as well with a 6-2 win to complete a four-game sweep of the Virden Oil Kings in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s final.
Former Regina Pats defenceman Aaron Krestanowich (44 games over two seasons from 2023-24) had three assists in Thursday’s win, including the primary assist on a power play goal near the midway point of the second period that held up as the game winner.
Southey product Jase Konecsni, who previously played the SJHL’s Melville Millionaires and the under-18 AAA Estevan Bears, also had an assist for his only point of the final, while University of Regina Cougars commit Merik Boles (2026-27) also assisted on a Niverville goal for his fifth point of the series.
The 2005-born forward also scored once in Game 2 and twice more in Game 3 to go along with another assist for a three-point night in that one.
"Merik is an extremely intelligent, competitive player who produces at a consistently high level," Cougars head coach Trevor Keeper said in the team’s February release announcing Boles had committed for next season. "He plays with pace, edge, and confidence, and that's why he's been well over a point per game in the MJHL.”
Krestanowich likewise finished the MJHL series with five points, all assists, after setting up goals in Games 2 and 3.
Thomas Phillips, a 2005-born blue liner who played 14 games with the Kindersley Klippers during the 2024-25 season, also pitched in some offence, with a goal and two assists.
The Nighthawks’ championship series roster also included 2005-born defenceman Parker Carrier, who played 26 games with the La Ronge Ice Wolves two seasons ago, 2007-born blue liner Ryken Aaran, who spent 2024-25 playing U18 AAA with the Notre Dame Hounds, and backup goalie Ben Chornomydz, another Notre Dame alumnus.
