Former Portage Terrier Kolton Shindle is facing some new challenges in Winkler this season. The Carman, Manitoba product is in his first MJHL season away from the Terriers as he was traded to the Winkler Flyers this past offseason. Shindle says it had an effect on him initially.

“It did a little bit mentally, just fully switching over to becoming a Winkler Flyer was a challenge,” explains Shindle. “After two years and winning a championship in Portage it will always feel like home to me but I had to flip my brain off from that and become a Winkler Flyer.”

Through six games this season, Shindle has put up three assists and spent six minutes in the penalty box. He says he has been gelling very well with his new teammates.

“Some of these guys I’ve had some good battles against in the last couple of years but it has been good,” says Shindle. “I knew a lot of the guys out here. So, it has been a pretty easy transition and they accepted me with open arms, which was awesome.”

Shindle played a key role for the Terriers last season as he was the team’s third-leading scorer with 47 points (21G, 26A). He describes the most important thing he learned as a Terrier.

“To be great you have to come in every day and do your job, do what you’re supposed to do, and do whatever you can to get better,” says Shindle. “If you’re as consistent as you can be, your time will come.”

He is looking to continue to become even more of an offensive force in the MJHL this year.

“I would like to be one of the top guys in the league and one of the guys that other teams really have to worry about,” Shindle explains. “I’m just looking to improve my game, offensively, from last season.”

Shindle says he’s extremely excited about this next chapter in his hockey career and notes the Terriers better watch out.

Shindle and the Flyers will face off with the Terriers in a four-game series next month beginning on November, 18th.