August 29, 2024
Photo: Hockey Canada Images
Coming off winning the Turnbull Cup, Brody Beauchemin is among the returning players ready to set the culture in Winkler and push for more.
“That win last year, that was a result of a lot of hard work we put in over the course of three years,” the 20-year-old said of last year’s magical run. “There’s an excitement because we know what it feels like to win, know what it takes to win, we’re ready to show the young guys how to live it and hopefully, do it again.”
Before looking forward, Beauchemin reflected on what it meant to win with the core group that had been through the lows of coming up short in the past. “It was so nice to do it with at group of guys. We had so many ups and downs. That first year, we lost to Dauphin who went on to win the league. The next year, that crushing game 7 against Steinbach. To finally get that win, it was just awesome.”
In his third MJHL season, Beauchemin took a big step going from 37 points in 53 games to an eye-popping 66 points in 54 games. “It’s a bit of both work in the summer and finding my role as a Flyer”, he explains. “It was nice to be a third year on the team, more comfortable with a more defined role. I had a big summer, I moved to Brandon with Dalton Andrew and Trent Penner, we put in the work every day, that definitely helped a lot.”
Andrew and Penner may no longer be in orange and black, but Beauchemin plans on continuing what they instilled in him. “I’m going to take a bunch from them. They showed us so much. They were the horses that ran the motor around here. It may be a bit different but it’s an opportunity for other guys to step up and take on a bigger role.”
The term ‘championship culture’ can get thrown around but for the Ille De Chenes product, he firmly believes that it’s something that should be established early for a serious franchise. “I 100% believe in it. This organization here has had a championship culture for the last three years and I don’t plan on that changing at all. We’ve set it up already in the captains skates we’ve been having. The culture is high, the standards are high, and they always will be.”
A late summer change behind the bench hasn’t shaken Beauchemin. He’s aware that he and the other returning players will be leaned on as everyone gets used to the new coach with little time before things fire up. “I think we’re all ready. We have three guys from the original core here, me, Nick McKee and Sully Ross, and I think we’re super ready to take on that additional role. We’ve been answering questions already and helping out as best we can. We’re excited about the new coach, a new voice could be good. We’re looking forward to getting going.”
After suffering heartbreak the first two years, there was a hunger, a desperation throughout the Flyers lineup that refused to be denied on their way to winning the MJHL, which is something Beauchemin says won’t be going away just because they won last year, it’s just a little different. “A big thing is for the returning guys, remember that feeling of winning” he says. “To see that final goal go in, celebrate with the team and feel that accomplishment. For the new guys, it’s about instilling that want, that desire, that extra drive it takes to be a champion. We have guys who have been through it and are ready to lead the next group through the battles.”
Playing in front of loud, passionate fans is something Beauchemin believes also will help when it comes finding that next gear to win. “This community is insane, I love them. It’s the best community to play in. The fans are always supporting us and when the new guys feel that rink rocking, they’re going to want to win for the fans as much as they want to win for themselves.”
Being the hunted or the hunter makes no difference to the veteran of 146 MJHL games, he knows the Flyers always have a target on their back yet can be overlooked, he doesn’t care. “We’re going to go out there every game and earn it. We’re going to earn wins, earn a reputation as a team that doesn’t quit and earn respect as a group. We’re not satisfied, we want to go back-to-back this year.”
Coming into his final year, Beauchemin admits there might be some butterflies heading out for the home opener, but those feelings will go away as soon as the puck drops, it’s back to work defending their championship. “I’m a hard worker so I know I’m going to go out and do that. But I will say I will take it all in as it’s my final year. It’s crazy, it felt like I just started school in Winkler, but four years has gone really fast. I appreciate it so much, I appreciate the fans and the organization, and I just can’t wait to get going.”
The Winkler Flyers open the regular season at home against the Steinbach Pistons on Friday, September 20th.
