A former Portage Terrier is now leading the best squad in the MJHL.

Parker Malchuk is a defenceman for the Dauphin Kings and has been playing very well to start the season. The Kings are the first team in the league to reach 20 wins after a pair of victories over the Terriers this weekend. Malchuk outlines the keys to their success so far this season.

"Everybody's buying in," says Malchuk. "We're just trusting our process right now, and everyone's doing the little things, which seems to be working. So, we're going to stick to that."

Malchuk is currently placed fourth in points and is tied for second in goals among defencemen. He has put home six goals and dished out 15 assists for 21 points through 20 games this season.

The 20-year-old defenceman has gained a plethora of experience in the past few years as he played a full season in the WHL in 2018-19 with the Victoria Royals. Malchuk also spent six games in the WHL the following year before getting sent down to Neepawa and eventually traded to Portage. With all that knowledge gained, the Kings coaching staff believed he would be the perfect captain for this year's team. He describes his initial reaction and outlines what it's like being the team captain.

"It was a huge honour and I couldn't stop smiling when I found out. I'm glad to be the captain of these boys because they're a great group," Malchuk explains. "It's been a little bit different but I've been a part of a leadership group before, so I knew what it was all about."

The Birtle, Manitoba product played 25 games in a Terrier uniform and put up 14 points before the 2019-20 season was shut down due to COVID-19. Malchuk says he has very fond memories of Portage and notes he always has a good time playing against them.

"It's always fun to play against the old coaching staff and a few of the old boys. It was definitely a fun game," says Malchuk.

Malchuk was clearly comfortable back at Stride Place as he scored twice in his first game against the Terriers on Friday. The defenceman says the most important thing he learned from Portage head coach and general manager Blake Spiller is to play the body.