Ethan Stewart was a key member playing on one of the most successful AAA teams in a single season in Manitoba's history. It was a team that broke records along the way and ended on top of the province.
The 2023-24 season was one to remember in the Wheat City as Stewart entered his second season with his hometown Brandon Wheat Kings.
Brandon did not lose a game in regulation throughout the regular season with their only defeat coming against the Southwest Cougars as Southwest beat them 3-2 in overtime on November 10. The following day, Ethan had one goal as Brandon got back in the win column with a 3-1 win against Southwest and the Wheat Kings never looked back.
They ended the season on a 31-game winning streak and finished 29 points ahead of Southwest for first place. Brandon scored 270 goals and gave up just 82. Stewart, who spent the season as an assistant captain, was pivotal in the team’s success as he finished with 29 goals and 35 assists in 44 regular-season games.
“It was amazing waking up every day and realizing how good of a team we were,” said Stewart. “We had an incredible group of players and coaches, it was awesome.”
The record-breaking team included the likes of Jaxon Jacobson who produced 106 regular-season points to go along with Brady Turko who had 90. Stewart finished third in scoring while Easton Odut of Dauphin finished fourth with 63 points.
Brandon never played a game without having a target on their back. They were the team to beat and heading into the playoffs, the Eastman Selects were the first team to try. Brandon scored 26 goals in three games to complete a three-game sweep before sweeping away the Pembina Valley Hawks. Then, it was the Brandon Wheat Kings against the Winnipeg Wild.
While Brandon entered the league final as heavy favourites, the Wheat Kings were challenged with trying to overcome past shortcomings. Winnipeg had eliminated Brandon from the playoffs in the previous two seasons.
Last year; however, it was different. This was one of the best AAA teams in Manitoba's history and scoring nine goals in the first two games of the best-of-5 final saw Brandon put the Wild on the brink of elimination early. Game three was a must-win for the Wild but Colten Worthington had other plans as his eighth of the playoffs in overtime was the winner as Brandon finally got over the hump and downed their long-time provincial rival.
“It was amazing to finally beat the Wild, especially after losing to them the two previous years,” offered Stewart. “It’s good to get over the hump and win my second championship, pretty special moment for the entire group.”
Stewart’s first championship came with the U-15 Wheat Kings when he recorded nine playoff points in 11 games as that team won it all in 2022.
Brandon lost their first regulation game of the season at the Telus Cup West Regionals but it had no bearing on the standings as the Wheat Kings had already secured a berth in the final. Brady Turko then scored the winner against Saskatoon as Stewart and his team were off to Nova Scotia for the Telus Cup national championships.
Brandon’s season continued with its highs which were met with some lows and an ultimate silver medal finish. Brandon advanced to the national final where they lost to a team from Quebec.
Stewart continued to dazzle on the national stage as the 17-year-old scored once and added three assists.
“We had a lot of fun in Nova Scotia, it was a great week,” offered Stewart. “Of course, we wanted to win. But looking back at it, we were pretty happy with the season and the outcome, we had a great year.”
A first-round, seventh-overall selection by Dauphin in the 2023 MJHL draft, Ethan is now in Dauphin and has played in half of the team’s six games so far.
He’s billeting at Jason and Ashley Shaw’s and when presented with an opportunity to join the Kings before the season, he couldn’t pass it up.
“They won the championship a couple of years ago and it’s an incredible program,” offered Stewart. “They want to win here and I want to be a part of that. We have a great facility as well, it’s all first-class and I love my life here in Dauphin.”
In three games so far, Ethan has one assist to his name.
“I think I did pretty well when I have been in the lineup,” commented Stewart. “I’m just adjusting to the junior level, it’s way more physical than the U-18 level and guys are better. I’m getting more used to it every day.”
Stewart moved to Dauphin with Declan Hoad, who was also a part of the U-18 Wheat Kings last year. Declan has played two games and has one goal.
“It’s nice that he’s here as well, nice to know someone from the start,” said Stewart.
Besides his commitment and dedication to hockey, Ethan loves being on the golf course and joined the team earlier this week as they got in a round at the Gilbert Plains Country Club.
He also enjoys fishing and while the 20-inch walleye he caught is slightly smaller than the 26.5-inch catch from his teammate and captain Ethan Williment, it’s an impressive catch.
“I got into golf a couple of years ago and enjoy it, it’s a great spot and nice spending the day outside,” commented Stewart. “I started fishing this summer with my grandpa, that’s always a special time for me to spend time with him.”
As the NHL season fires up, Ethan will be spending time watching his favourite team the Winnipeg Jets play and while he doesn’t believe they will make a run this year, he’s still looking forward to watching them play.
He’s been to San Diego multiple times, he has travelled to Cuba and he would like to check out what Europe has to offer.
For now; however, Ethan Stewart is living in the now and he’s ready to do whatever it takes to help his new team win.
You can hear Ethan’s full chat with Darnell Duff during the Dauphin Kings Power Play Show on Friday afternoon following News Now at 4 on 730CKDM.