A New ACAC Order? The Maple Minute's 2026–27 Men's Basketball Preseason Preview
I’m looking forward to another ACAC season, and I think this could be one of the more interesting years we’ve had in a while. Keyano is defending a championship with a very different roster, SAIT is replacing some of the best players in the league, and a number of teams that missed the playoffs have recruited well enough to make things interesting.
Last season, Keyano beat Lethbridge for the ACAC title, while SAIT finished the regular season unbeaten before settling for bronze. Lakeland won the North, but as we’ve seen many times, finishing first in your division does not guarantee anything come playoff time. There are some very good coaches in this league, and several have had to replace players who carried their programs for years.
I’ve used returning players, transfers, incoming recruits, conversations with coaches and what we’ve seen so far to put together five tiers. These are my early thoughts, and I expect a few teams will prove me wrong as the season goes along. That is part of what makes doing this preview fun.
The teams are grouped into five tiers rather than ranked from first to fifteenth. The returning-scoring estimates compare last season’s conference statistics with players on current rosters; they give us an idea of the turnover, but they don’t tell the whole story.
Tier 1 — Championship favourites
SAIT Trojans
Head coach: Matt Daley (4th year) | 2025–26: 21–0, first in South; ACAC bronze | Returning scoring: 22.3%
I don’t think many teams could lose the kind of talent SAIT did and still be considered a championship favourite, but Coach Daley has once again put together a roster that looks capable of winning the league. The Trojans were unbeaten in the South last season and will have plenty of motivation after finishing with bronze at the ACAC championships.
Who's Back: Cameron Carter (6'1", 4th year, Baltimore), Steve Adjuya (5'10", 3rd year, Calgary), brothers Jaxon Fisher (6'2", 3rd year, Canmore, AB) and Ethan Fisher (6'0", 2nd year, Canmore, AB), and Tariq Bhanji (6'6", 4th year, Calgary) are among the familiar names on Daley's roster. Carter also led the ACAC last season with 126 assists and 78 steals. Their importance goes beyond their individual production. They know the expectations inside a program that completed an undefeated South Division regular season, and they can help newcomers understand the pace and physicality required to compete for a title.
Who's New: Daley has gone after experience and size. Emmanuel “Manny” Iloka (6'8", 5th year, Lagos, Nigeria), previously of Northwestern Polytechnic, returns to the ACAC after sitting out last season. Amari Lessa Linklater (5'8", 3rd year, Saskatoon, SK), previously of NAIT and the University of Saskatchewan, also joins the Trojans, along with Jean Pigoue (6'8", 3rd year, Berlin, Germany) from Mount Royal University, Kevin-Paguy Mvemba-Massala (6'3", 3rd year, Calgary, AB) from Olds College, Damein Coleman Jr. (6'5", 4th year, Baltimore, MD) from Capilano University and Marshel Holt (6'10", 1st year, Penticton, BC). It will take some time to settle roles, but there is no shortage of talent.
Who's Gone: Marcus Masters, the 2025–26 South Division Player of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection, is the defining departure. First-team all-star Killian Yopa, who finished second in the ACAC in rebounding at 9.3 per game and led the conference at 63.8% from the field, has transferred to the University of Ottawa, while second-team all-star Marc-Denault Gabriel has exhausted his eligibility. Losing those established leaders makes SAIT's early exhibition performances particularly noteworthy.
Player to watch — Emmanuel “Manny” Iloka: Iloka's return to the ACAC is one of the biggest stories in the conference. Across four seasons at Northwestern Polytechnic, he accumulated 1,327 points, 900 rebounds, 201 blocked shots and 110 steals. He is the ACAC's all-time leader in blocks and ranks second in career rebounds. After sitting out last season, I am interested to see how quickly he gets back to being the player who controlled games around the rim. His shot blocking changes what opponents can do on drives, his rebounding can finish possessions, and his experience gives SAIT something different from the rest of an already talented roster. On a team with championship expectations, Iloka has a chance to be one of the most impactful players in the league without needing to lead it in scoring.
The Maple Minute Outlook: I expect SAIT to be right back in the championship picture. Daley has replaced a lot of scoring with experienced players who should be able to compete immediately.
Lakeland Rustlers
Head coach: Sheray Thomas (12th year) | 2025–26: 17–3, first in North | Returning scoring: 64.4%
Lakeland is the other team I have in the top tier, and for a different reason than SAIT. Coach Thomas has much more of his team back, including several players who already know what it takes to win in the North. That experience matters, especially in a league where so many rosters have changed.
Who's Back: Jordan Horobetz-Simpson (6'6", 5th year, Winnipeg, MB), Taleh Wade (6'2", 5th year, North Little Rock, AR), Seth Johnson (6'2", 4th year, Toronto, ON), Tyson Christensen (6'7", 3rd year, Saint-Laurent, QC), Parker Armstrong (5'10", 2nd year, Edmonton, AB) and Tyler Gartner (6'4", 2nd year, Lloydminster, AB) give Lakeland a strong returning group. That continuity matters after a first-place conference season, especially when several other contenders are still working new pieces into their rotations.
Who's New: Thomas has also been busy adding talent. Josh Muoka (6'6", 3rd year, Smiths Falls, ON), a transfer from Ottawa, Isaiah St. Preux (6'1", 3rd year, Miramar, FL), a transfer from Western Nebraska Community College, Donovann Toatley (5'10", 4th year, Largo, MD) and Luca Reynolds-Raby (6'4", 2nd year, Calgary, AB), a transfer from Augustana give him more options. Toatley is particularly intriguing. The 5'10" guard from Largo, Maryland has NCAA Division I experience at Chattanooga, Monmouth, Bethune-Cookman and Detroit Mercy. That is a very different background from the typical ACAC newcomer, and I want to see how his pace, ability to create off the dribble and decision-making translate into a Lakeland team that already has established scorers. He will not need to carry the offense by himself, but his experience could give the Rustlers another way to control games when the pace slows.
Who's Gone: Bahaeddin Salma, the 2025–26 North Division Defensive Player of the Year and a second-team all-conference selection, is a significant departure.
Player to watch — Taleh Wade: Wade averaged 20.5 points per game last season, tied for second in the ACAC, while shooting 87.9% from the free-throw line. He is already a proven conference scorer, but what makes him especially important this season is how much Lakeland can build around that production. With Jordan Horobetz-Simpson giving the Rustlers an established interior presence and more experience around Wade, opponents cannot simply load up on him without giving something else away. I will be watching whether Wade can take another step as both a scorer and the player who organizes Lakeland's offence when games tighten up. On a team I see as a championship favourite, he has a chance to be one of the players who defines the North.
The Maple Minute Outlook: I expect Lakeland to be near the top of the North again. They have the experience to win now, and Thomas will have them defending hard every night.
Tier 2 — Serious Contenders
Lethbridge Polytechnic Kodiaks
Head coach: Ryan Heggie (16th year) | 2025–26: 15–6, second in South; ACAC silver | Returning scoring: 29.4%
Coach Heggie has a big job ahead of him after taking Lethbridge all the way to the ACAC final last season. The Kodiaks lose three of their top scorers, but I have learned not to underestimate Heggie’s ability to find players who fit his program. He has once again recruited well in southern Alberta and added transfers who should help immediately.
Who's Back: South Rookie of the Year Marley Kenion (6'3", 2nd year, Coventry, England) is back after an impressive first season. Heggie has been pleased with his work over the summer. Randall Mongard (6'1", 2nd year, Laval, QC), who averaged 9.8 points and 4.1 rebounds, is another player I expect to take on a bigger role.
Who's New: Ryan Heggie has added three transfers he expects to make an impact: Alonzo Tan (5'10", 4th year, Calgary) from Olds, Cache Perrett (6'4", 2nd year, Okotoks) from St. Mary's and Talon Weasel Head (6'0", 3rd year, Lethbridge) from United Tribes Technical College. Van Kerrison (6'0", 1st year, Foothills, AB), Dimitri Veenendaal (6'5", 1st year, Coaldale, AB) and Braydon Byam (6'0", 1st year, Foothills, AB) give the Kodiaks some young talent to develop.
Who's Gone: First-team South all-star Levi Balderson (19.2 PPG), second-team all-star Nathaniel Hosannah (15.3 PPG), who has joined the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns in Canada West and Jackson Wright (11.3 PPG) are three major departures from the silver-medal group. Their combined 905 regular-season points explain why the newcomers must contribute immediately.
Player to watch — Marley Kenion: The next stage of Kenion's development may be the difference between another good season and a championship breakthrough. His coach's confidence is encouraging, but opponents will now prepare for him as an established conference threat.
The Maple Minute Outlook: I think Lethbridge will be in the fight again. The talent is there, but the Kodiaks will need to rebound and defend more consistently to get back to the final.
Medicine Hat Rattlers
Head coach: Rich Humphrey (12th season) | 2025–26: 10–11, fifth in South | Returning scoring: 45.2%
Medicine Hat is one of the teams I think people may be overlooking if they only look at last year’s standings. The Rattlers finished 10–11 and missed the playoffs, but Coach Humphrey has brought in some interesting young talent to go with an experienced group. I like the direction this team is heading.
Who's Back: Kieran Isnor (6'2", 4th year, Camrose, AB), Ethan Robinson (6'0", 5th year, Ipswich, Australia), Kyle Bertram (6'7", 3rd year, Medicine Hat, AB), Thomas Olson (6'2", 2nd year, Weyburn, SK) and Miguel Torres (5'10", 2nd year, Saskatoon, SK) give Rich Humphrey a useful returning core. At 45.2% retained scoring, Medicine Hat has more continuity than most of the South's top challengers without being dependent entirely on last year's rotation.
Who's New: Medicine Hat has added a promising young group, including three players with CTA West backgrounds: Brayden Redekop (1st year, Abbotsford, BC), Joshua Ayuel (6'7", 1st year, Lethbridge, AB) and Max Smith (6'1", 1st year, Magrath, AB). Davion Burdette (6'2", 3rd year, Las Vegas) transferred from his previous program, while Joshua Campbell (5'8", 3rd year, Calgary) brings another experienced option. The CTA West connection gives the Rattlers a young core that has already developed together.
Who's Gone: Jordan Biggar (17.0 PPG) and Colby Anderson (6.9 PPG) have graduated, while Wol Wol (15.1 PPG) has departed. Wol has appeared as a possible MacEwan addition in our Canada West database, although that destination remains unconfirmed. That is a lot of production for the coach to replace.
Player to watch — Kieran Isnor: The fourth-year guard is a natural figure to help connect the returning core with the newcomers. His experience will be valuable when the Rattlers face teams that can disrupt their preferred pace.
The Maple Minute Outlook: I expect Medicine Hat to make a serious push for a playoff spot and challenge the teams ahead of them. The young players will need time, but there is a lot to like here.
Concordia Thunder
Head coach: Daniela Stabile (2nd year) | 2025–26: 8–12, fourth in North | Returning scoring: 27.8%
Who's Back: Concordia is probably my biggest gamble in Tier 2. Coach Stabile’s first season was a difficult one, but I like the size and speed she has added, and she told me the group is fast and long. The challenge will be getting them to defend with discipline, especially against the better teams in the North. Izaec Oppal (6'4", 2nd year, Surrey) is a player Stabile is excited about after a strong offseason. Kyler Dutka (6'6", 5th year, Bienfait), Roka Phalen-Baker (6'4", 5th year, St. Albert) and Abdishakur “Shak” Jama (16.3 PPG in 2025–26) give the Thunder some returning experience.
Who's New: Daniela Stabile has added Dane-Dre Anglin (6'4", 3rd year, Toronto, ON), a 2025–26 PACWEST first-team all-star who transferred from Columbia Bible College, alongside Lakeeb Hughes (6'5", 3rd year, Hempstead, NY), who also transferred from Columbia Bible College. Tedi-Brad-Jr Eguagie (6'3", 4th year, Edmonton, AB) transferred from King's, adding another experienced option.
Who's Gone: Malik Edwards (15.2 PPG) has departed, while Keellaa Gatwech (14.6 PPG) has transferred to Trinity Western University. Gatwech led the ACAC in rebounding (9.5 per game) and blocks (33) last season. Their departures leave Concordia with significant production to replace.
Player to watch — Izaec Oppal: When a coach singles out a returner's conditioning and shooting confidence, it creates a clear storyline to follow. Oppal has the opportunity to take a more prominent role on a team looking for new offensive leaders.
The Maple Minute Outlook: I think Concordia has enough talent to move up in the North. Whether they can defend consistently will tell us how high.
Tier 3 — Playoff contenders
Ambrose Lions
Head coach: Neil Nystrom (13th year) | 2025–26: 12–9, fourth in South | Returning scoring: 64.6%
Who's Back: I like the experience Ambrose brings back this season. Prince Paulo Cuesta (6'0", 3rd year, Cochrane), Ty Schenk (6'2", 4th year, Lumsden), Japheth David (6'2", 4th year, Calgary), Dylan Pearson (6'7", 3rd year, Calgary) and Brodie Ronnie (6'1", 3rd year, Ponoka) give Coach Nystrom a group that has already played together. That is a real advantage this year.
Who's New: Nystrom also adds Kobyn Jopp (6'7", 4th year, Calgary), who transferred from Brandon, and Edgerren Capuno (5'8", 5th year, Winnipeg), who transferred from Fanshawe. Freshmen Isaac Manky (6'5", Campbell River) and Nash Ronnie (5'10", Ponoka) give him more depth to work with.
Who's Gone: Jarom Walton (17.9 PPG), Jackson Earle (7.2 PPG), Guilherme Lacerda Ferreira (4.5 PPG) have departed. That is a lot of production for the coach to replace.
Player to watch — Prince Paulo Cuesta: An established returner on a team built around continuity, Cuesta is central to Ambrose's hopes of moving beyond playoff contention.
The Maple Minute Outlook: I expect Ambrose to be a tough team to play every night. With so much of its roster back, I would not be surprised if the Lions push higher than this tier.
Keyano Huskies
Head coach: Michael Dosado (1st year) | 2025–26: 16–4, second in North; ACAC champions | Returning scoring: 15.1%
Who's Back: There is not much left from Keyano’s championship roster, and new coach Michael Dosado has a very different challenge than the Huskies faced last year. Jaggar Crossland (6'1", 4th year, Sherwood Park), Treysun McKenzie-Hunter and Gloire Nkassa (6'4", 3rd year, Houston) are among the few familiar faces. They will have to help a new group learn how to win together.
Who's New: Dosado has added Isaiah Guerrier (6'8", 3rd year, Montreal), Andre Gray (6'3", 4th year, Minneapolis), Dewayne Thompson (5'10", 4th year, Minnesota) and Ibrahim Dabo (6'5", 1st year, Brossard). There is talent here, but replacing a championship team is not something that happens overnight.
Who's Gone: Keyano faces the difficult task of replacing three of its most important players from last season's championship team. DJ Haynes (15.4 PPG) earned 2025–26 ACAC North First-Team All-Conference honours, while Deandre Rowe (15.4 PPG) was named to the North Second Team. Rowe also earned ACAC South Rookie of the Year honours in 2023–24 while at Red Deer. Keenan Miller (14.2 PPG) was the 2024–25 ACAC North Player of the Year and a CCAA All-Canadian, and was selected to the 2026 ACAC Championship All-Tournament Team. Together, the three accounted for 45.0 points per game last season, leaving a major combination of scoring, experience and championship production to replace.
Player to watch — Treysun McKenzie-Hunter: One of the few returning links to the championship season, he will be important as a largely new group develops chemistry.
The Maple Minute Outlook: I think Keyano will be better later in the season than it is early. The talent is there, but the new group will need time to come together.
St. Mary's Lightning
Head coach: Nathan Ruff (10th year) | 2025–26: 8–13, sixth in South | Returning scoring: 29.6%
Who's Back: Ayudo Ayudo (6'5", 4th year, Calgary) leads the returning group, with Lokosang Moses (6'3", 2nd year, Brooks) and Benjamin Gilbert (6'2", 5th year, Calgary) also back. The Lightning retain 29.6% of last season's scoring.
Who's New: Coach Ruff has added Jaidon Martin (5'9", 4th year, Toronto), who transferred from Holland College, Dillyn Morin (6'1", 3rd year, Saskatoon), who transferred from Saskatchewan, and Woodli Cime (6'3", 2nd year, Calgary), who transferred from Canadore. Morin is a player I’ve followed since his Walter Murray days, and I’m interested to see what he can do with a bigger role.
Who's Gone: Pelumi Ajayi (20.5 PPG), Lucas Barlow (11.4 PPG), CJ Peters (10.8 PPG) have departed. That is a lot of production for the coach to replace.
Player to watch — Dillyn Morin: Before joining the Saskatchewan Huskies, Morin was Mr. Basketball Saskatchewan in his Grade 12 season and helped Walter Murray win a provincial championship. He played a smaller role at Saskatchewan, appearing in 17 conference games last season, but I think the move to St. Mary’s gives him a chance to show more of the player we saw in high school.
The Maple Minute Outlook: I think St. Mary’s has enough new talent to be competitive, but Coach Ruff will need to find his rotation quickly in a very tough South Division.
The King's University Eagles
Head coach: Jay Ouellette (7th year) | 2025–26: 7–13, fifth in North | Returning scoring: 43.9%
Who's Back: King's has a meaningful returning foundation in fifth-year Brock Stupar (6'3", 5th year, Stony Plain), fourth-year Benjamin Thess (6'4", 4th year, Portage la Prairie), Lucas Franks (6'3", 3rd year, Saskatoon) and several other players listed on the current roster. The program retains 51.1% of its previous rebounding, an encouraging starting point.
Who's New: King's has brought in Martynas Petrauskas (6'7", 2nd year, Kaunas), Israel Ogbebor (6'5", 3rd year, Calgary) and Emerson Maccuaig (6'4", 1st year, Prince Albert). Jay Ouellette will need contributions from that group as the Eagles try to turn a returning foundation into a playoff push.
Who's Gone: Jonathan Barwegen graduated after leading the entire ACAC in scoring at 24.4 points per game over 20 games in 2025–26. Losing the conference's leading scorer leaves a major offensive hole for King's, which returns just 43.9% of last season's scoring. The Eagles will need their returning core and newcomers to share that responsibility.
Player to watch — Lucas Franks: I coached Franks in summer league and have seen firsthand the competitiveness and leadership he brings to a team. Those qualities don't always jump off a stat sheet, but they matter when games tighten up. With more experience and a bigger opportunity, I think he has a chance to be one of the North's breakout players.
The Maple Minute Outlook: I think King’s has a chance to make the playoffs if its returning core takes another step. Coach Ouellette has been building toward that for a while.
Tier 4 — Potential risers: Red Deer; NAIT; Augustana; Olds.
Red Deer Polytechnic Kings
Head coach: Anthony Skepple (1st year) | 2025–26: 2–19, eighth in South | Returning scoring: 35.3%
Who's Back: Samuel Idemudia (6'1", 3rd year, Leduc), Corban Andres (6'4", 2nd year, Regina), Donovan Snider (6'5", 2nd year, Fort St. John) and William Tcherkachine (6'2", 2nd year, Toronto, ON) are among the players on the new roster with connections to last season's team.
Who's New: Anthony Skepple has added size at Red Deer with Parker Weinrauch (6'7", 4th year, Springbrook, AB), Dale Bellerose (6'9", 2nd year, Spruce Grove, AB) and Jahmar Smith (6'11", 1st year). One of the program's most significant recruits is Raphael ‘Raph’ Mutongolo (6'1", 1st year, Saskatoon, SK), who arrives after helping Holy Cross win back-to-back Saskatchewan 5A provincial titles. I selected him as the 2026 Hoopla 5A MVP in my provincial championship coverage. He also represented Saskatchewan at the 2025 Canada Games. His competitiveness and defensive intensity give the Kings an intriguing young guard as they rebuild.
Who's Gone: Noah Simon (11.3 PPG), whose possible move to MacEwan is not yet confirmed, Marvellous Adepoju (7.5 PPG), Tong Akol (9.2 PPG) have departed. That is a lot of production for the coach to replace.
Player to watch — William Tcherkachine (6'2", 2nd year, Toronto, ON): I am interested to see how much more he can take on in his second season. Red Deer needs returning players to establish continuity while the newcomers settle in, and Tcherkachine has an opportunity to take on a larger role.
The Maple Minute Outlook: I think Red Deer will be much more competitive this season. Coach Skepple has some good pieces, but it may take time before this group is ready to challenge the South’s best.
NAIT Ooks
Head coach: Adika Peter-McNeilly (3rd year) | 2025–26: 13–7, third in North | Returning scoring: 7.3%
Who's Back: NAIT is almost starting from scratch, which is not what I expected after a 13-win season. Coach Peter-McNeilly has shown he can build a competitive team, but he will need a lot of new players to contribute right away.
Who's New: The Ooks have brought in Chris Kinyange (6'5", 3rd year, Edmonton), who transferred from Northwestern Polytechnic, along with Mathias Gbeblewu (6'4", 2nd year, Edmonton), Quinn Boyington (6'10", 1st year, Edmonton) and Cohen Pratt (6'3", 1st year, Sherwood Park). I like some of the pieces, especially Kinyange’s experience in the league, but there will be a learning curve.
Who's Gone: Kohl Wedman (14.5 PPG), Serhat Chen (11.5 PPG), Nathan Saldo (8.1 PPG) have departed. That is a lot of production for the coach to replace.
Player to watch — Chris Kinyange: His ACAC experience could be especially valuable on a team with so much new personnel.
The Maple Minute Outlook: I expect NAIT to improve as the season goes along. There is enough talent to compete, but the Ooks have a lot of chemistry to build.
Augustana Vikings
Head coach: Nate Kravetsky (1st year) | 2025–26: 6–14, sixth in North | Returning scoring: 30.8%
Who's Back: Augustana brings back several familiar faces, including Maximilian Sauter (6'3", 4th year, Cochrane), Tanton Mueller (6'4", 4th year, Vanderhoof) and Ben Messom (6'1", 3rd year, Drumheller). That should help first-year coach Nate Kravetsky, but replacing last year’s leading scorers will not be easy.
Who's New: Emmanuel Fagite (6'0", 3rd year, Airdrie) comes over from Ambrose, while Kaden MacAngus (6'3", 1st year, Saskatoon) adds another young guard. Augustana will be looking for this group to provide some of the scoring lost from last season.
Who's Gone: Jonathan Gomes (16.7 PPG), Brett Marlow (12.8 PPG), Cooper Nelson (9.7 PPG) have departed. That is a lot of production for the coach to replace.
Player to watch — Maximilian Sauter: The fourth-year guard is an experienced piece in a changing rotation.
The Maple Minute Outlook: I think Augustana will be competitive, but the Vikings need someone to step forward as a consistent scorer.
Olds Broncos
Head coach: John Reece (2nd year) | 2025–26: 3–18, seventh in South | Returning scoring: 36.9%
Who's Back: Rylan Warren (6'1", 3rd year, Calgary), Ethan Rossworm (5'11", 2nd year, Worsley), Nicholas McKoy (6'0", 2nd year, Ajax), Ife Popoola (6'1", 2nd year, Lethbridge) and Tarman Sandu (6'4", 2nd year, Nanaimo) are among the returning names in the current roster snapshot.
Who's New: Olds has added Keshawn Hall (6'1", 4th year, Las Vegas) from Keyano, along with Yigit Huseyinoglu (6'8", 1st year, Istanbul), Grady Wilson (6'5", 1st year, Regina, SK), Rashawn Taniskishayinew (6'2", 1st year, Regina, SK) from FN Prep, and Roan Fildes (6'8", 1st year, Calgary). John Reece has some intriguing pieces as he works to move the Broncos forward.
Who's Gone: Isaiah White (13.0 PPG), Kevin Mvemba (10.1 PPG), Will Jacques (7.6 PPG) have departed. That is a lot of production for the coach to replace.
Player to watch — Keshawn Hall: An experienced guard joining a program seeking a major improvement, Hall could influence both the offense and the team's leadership.
The Maple Minute Outlook: I expect Olds to be better as its young players gain experience. They have some interesting recruits, but the South will not give them much time to settle in.
Tier 5 — Prove-it
Briercrest Clippers
Head coach: Shane Sowden (9th year) | 2025–26: 14–7, third in South | Returning scoring: 26.7%
Who's Back: The Clippers retain Joshua Fox (6'4", 3rd year, Eston), Markus Glasspell (5'10", 3rd year, Regina), Daniel Haak (6'5", 2nd year, Abbottsford), Marek Guynup (6'2", 2nd year, Moose Jaw) and Chase Seaborn (6'0", 2nd year, Moose Jaw) on the current roster. It is a smaller returning statistical core than last year's successful record might imply.
Who's New: Briercrest is bringing in a young group that includes Isaac Brisson (6'7", 1st year, Calgary), Austin Kielstra (6'5", 1st year, Airdrie), Ethan Gatzke (6'0", 1st year, Leduc) and Isaiah Yemba (6'0", 1st year, Regina). How quickly they adjust will be important for a program that has lost considerable experience.
Who's Gone: Gabe Vig (18.4 PPG) has moved to the University of Calgary, where he is listed on the Dinos' 2026–27 roster. Owen Shepherd-Hills (16.5 PPG) and Carter Waind (14.1 PPG) have also departed. Replacing that production is a substantial challenge.
Player to watch — Markus Glasspell: One of the few returning contributors, Glasspell will have an important role as Briercrest works through a significant roster transition.
The Maple Minute Outlook: Briercrest is going to be one of the hardest teams to predict. Coach Sowden has developed young players before, but this is a lot of scoring to replace in one offseason.
Northwestern Polytechnic Wolves
Head coach: Evan Lloyd (10th year) | 2025–26: 2–18, seventh in North | Returning scoring: 38.2%
Who's Back: NWP retains players including Mirza Todorovac (4th year, Banja Luka), Caleb Tengera (6'8", 2nd year, Edmonton), Rhys Merwin (6;3", 2nd year, Campbell River), Samuel Rosse (6'4", 2nd year, Kitchener) and Trevon Arogie (6'4", 2nd year, Surrey). There is some familiarity, but last season's record illustrates how much improvement is required.
Who's New: Northwestern Polytechnic has added Seth Parker (5'11", 4th year, Peace River), Evan Solomon (6'0", 3rd year, Seattle) and Malik Leaming (6'5", 1st year, High River). Evan Lloyd needs the new group to help create more consistent offense this season.
Who's Gone: Chris Kinyange (12.1 PPG), Brandon Gillis (8.0 PPG), Kaden Gravengard (8.1 PPG) have departed. That is a lot of production for the coach to replace.
Player to watch — Caleb Tengera: The 6'8" second-year player offers size on a team that needs to become more competitive inside.
The Maple Minute Outlook: I think the Wolves can take a step forward, but they need more consistent offense if they are going to move out of the North’s bottom group.
The championship picture
I have SAIT and Lakeland in the top tier, but I would not be surprised to see Lethbridge, Medicine Hat or Concordia make things uncomfortable for them. There is a lot of turnover across the league, and some of the teams we are talking about now may look very different by January.
I’m especially interested in seeing whether Keyano can put another contender together after winning it all, and whether Ambrose can use its experience to move up the South standings. NAIT and Red Deer are two more teams I’ll be watching closely as the season develops.
As always, I’m sure a few of these predictions will be wrong. That’s why we play the games, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all shakes out.
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