Over the past few weeks the Portage Terriers have been missing players due to injury, suspension, and the World Junior A Challenge and have been calling up players to fill out the roster. With a shortage of players, the Dogs have gone to midget triple A, and MMHL teams to fill their roster. When a Junior A team calls up a player they are refered to as AP's which stands for Affiliated Player. If they are under 18 they are required to wear a cage, so they are often clearly marked on the ice. AP Call ups are limited to playing just ten games with a Junior A club.

so far this season the Terriers have called up

Sam Huston (AAA Brandon Wheatkings)

Kyle Wiltshire (Winnipeg Thrashers)

Tanner Aschenbrener (Winnipeg Thrashers)

Braeden Binda (Eastman Selects)

Jared Roy (Central Plains Capitals)

Lane Taylor (Central Plains Capitals)

Austin Friesen (Central Plains Capitals)

Chase Faulkner (Stonewall Jets)

In order to be called up a player must be listed on the teams 50 man list, but not currently signed to the teams 25 player Junior A roster. The Terriers will likely be looking to add some more players before they get to the final trade deadline day January 10th; when teams have to cut their rosters down to 23.

When the Terriers are looking to add an AP for a game, Blake Spiller says the teams are quite accomodating.

"It depends on whether the other team's playing or has some other function going on. A majority of the time, the midget teams we call on accommodate us if they're not playing, so that's kind of how it is."

He says he tries to ease them into games.

"I think we just want to make sure they're comfortable and try not to put them in any tough situations early. At the same time, as the game goes on, depending on how the game is going, you want to make sure they're going to get experience in key situations if at all possible. The guys that we call on can definitely fill in if we need them. It's definitely important to have a good list and of the guys we've called up thus far, they've played well for us."

When talking to the players who have been called up, they often say the speed is the biggest difference from the midget game.

Braeden Binda talks about what he will take away from the experience.

"Just the stick work and speed. Sticks (are) on pucks a lot faster than in midget and quick plays."

Most players love playing Junior A, including call up Sam Huston.

"It's pretty cool, it's a great atmosphere here. I love playing here after the two games and hope to play some more this year"