Episode 1: Rylan Gage

If all goes to plan, he will play his 100th regular-season game in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League (MJHL) on October 19 at the ICON Arena in Winkler.

That is a month after he will play his 92nd game in the league. It was a big summer for Rylan Gage, and now, the 20-year-old from Hamiota is looking to make it his biggest year yet. The Dauphin Kings are the only MJHL team that Rylan has suited up for.

He was drafted by the organization in the first round, fifth overall, in the 2020 Draft. Gage joined the team after a 59-point regular season with the Yellowhead Chiefs in the 2022-23 season.

As the Kings get set to open the 2025-26 season, Gage is thrilled to be back in the City of Sunshine in the Blue & White.

"It's amazing. It's a great organization. It's amazing to be here," said Gage. "Everyone is great. The community is fantastic, always supporting us. I love being here."

Heading into the new season, there is a sense of unfinished business for the returning group. Dauphin lost in triple overtime in game seven of the Turnbull Cup final last year against the Northern Manitoba Blizzard. Gage had three goals throughout the team's playoff run. He scored the game-tying goal in game six, before Naaman Hofer scored the winner.

Gage says the returning group remembers what happened and is ready to take that next step.

"Yeah, of course. Both years were heartbreakers. Last year was horrendous, coming up short like that," offered Gage. "All of the returning guys will say the same: this offseason was different. Everyone was going harder, getting ready to get back here and finish it this time."

Rylan more than tripled his production last season. In his rookie year, Rylan posted four goals and five assists in 33 regular-season games. He had no points in seven playoff games. Last year, Gage was a regular on the scoresheet, averaging more than a half a point per game, with 18 goals and 32 points in 58 regular-season games. He notched four playoff points in 18 games.

What are his expectations for this year? Bigger and better.

"Just continue growing on that, it's always great to put up numbers," continued Gage. "I've always thought of my role as a defensive guy. If I can put up numbers in the offensive zone, that'll be great."

Dauphin opens the new season on Friday night in Swan River against the Swan Valley Stampeders. You can hear that game with Darnell Duff on 730CKDM, beginning with the Parkland Source for Sports pregame show at 6:50.

"We're going to be competitive, Doug Hedley has done a great job putting together a solid squad," added Gage. "I think we're even going to be better than last year."

On Saturday, it will be an emotional night to start, for a couple of reasons. For starters, the team will recognize Ernie Rizok. Ernie passed away in May. In honour of Ernie on Saturday, the team will donate half of their 50/50 proceeds to the Parkland Humane Society. Ernie was one of the best. He was a lifelong Kings fan and volunteered thousands of hours with the organization over the last several years. He has also been a billet for years.

Get your tickets here.

"Ernie was the best person you could imagine," said Gage. "Whenever I was at his house, I always felt so welcome. He was like that with all the boys. He was such a great guy; you were always fed, and if you needed anything, Ernie would be there for you. He was an amazing man and is deeply missed."

Gage will also be playing his final home opener. As a 20-year-old, this will be Gage's final Junior A season. It's a season he will look to give his all.

"It's going to be special," said Gage. "The last year of Junior A hockey is going to be emotional. It's going to be a great one."

From posting 16 points in 36 games with the Yellowhead U15 Chiefs in the 2018-19 season to being a leader on the Kings seven years later, Rylan Gage has never taken his foot off the pedal. He's proud to be a King and of how far he has come.

"I'm proud of where I have come," ended Gage. "The only thing left to achieve is winning that Turnbull Cup, and playing in the national championships."

Fun Fact: 

Gage propelled the Hamiota Red Sox senior baseball team to a provincial championship last year. In the regular season that year, he batted a career-high .296 with a pair of doubles. His on-base percentage was .367.

In the provincial final against Oak River, Rylan went 2-for-3 with an RBI single and a triple. He was named the player of the game. Gage is also a big golfer and played most sports during his time in high school.