PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE – As defending league champions , it almost goes without saying that the Portage Terriers will be in everyone ’ s crosshairs when the puck drops on the 2017-18 Manitoba Junior Hockey League season .

The Terriers scored a 4-2 series win over a pesky OCN Blizzard squad in last year ’ s league championship round to claim their third consecutive Turnbull Memorial Trophy . It marked the eighth time since 2005 that the club was crowned MJHL champs .

With a strong nucleus of returning players from last year ’ s championship team , the Terriers are considered an early favourite to once again rule the 11-team loop . But

anyone thinking they might wilt under the pressure of such high expectations best think again . Head coach Blake Spiller said on the eve of training camp it will be business as usual for his team this season .

“ We ’ ve had the same staff ever since I ’ ve been here . We don ’ t try to put pressure on anybody . We just do what we need to do and hopefully it works out ,” Spiller said . “ You don ’ t want to put that kind of [ pressure ] on yourself . There will be enough of that coming from outside the organization .”

If it ’ s business as usual for the Terriers this season expect business to be pretty good . As many as 16 players from last year ’ s championship squad are

expected to be back in green and white in 2017-18 .

“ Obviously , all these guys are going to be a year older and with the experience of winning the league and then playing in the Western Canada Cup that ’ s definitely good experience for these guys ,” Spiller said . “ We ’ re hoping that experience will help us get going early this season .”

The Terriers should once again be strong up front ( they led the MJHL in scoring with 256 goals-for in 2016-17 ) with the return of league-leading scorer Jeremey Leipsic and team captain Chase Brakel , who finished second in the league scoring derby . The team ’ s back end will be anchored by defensemen Layne

Toder , who shone as a 16-yearold last year , and McKenzie Dwyer , who was one of the top D-men at last year ’ s Western Canada Cup in Pentincton . Goalie Brock Aiken , who won 27 games as a rookie last year , will be the main man in net .

“ It ’ s always tough to tell at this time of year but I think we ’ ll be a pretty similar team to last year ,” Spiller said .

“ Last year in tight games we found ways for guys to get big goals for us . Hopefully that will continue this year . Last year I didn ’ t think we were a really big , physical team . We relied a little more on skill . I think we ’ ll be similar in that regard this year .”