The Winnipeg product had a goal and two assists in 2020-2021 as a 17-year-old rookie before the COVID-19 pandemic brought the Manitoba Junior Hockey League season to a halt. That experience helped him get his feet wet in the league.
“Last year really allowed me to understand the pace of the game at the Junior A level in the MJHL,” Huminuk said. “Bodies are moving quicker, pucks are moving faster and the guys on the ice are smarter. The extra games really allowed me to adjust and be prepared for the first couple of games for this season.”
Through eight contests this campaign, the 5-foot-9, 168-pound forward has two goals and six points. He had three points in a win over Waywayseecappo on Sept. 25 and three points over two games in Virden’s victories against Neepawa this past weekend. Huminuk has earned the opportunity to play in the Oil Capitals’ top six.
“Branden is a very talented player,” Virden head coach Tyson Ramsey said. “He has a ton of skill and has an ability to play any type of game. We are looking forward to watching him grow and be a big part of our group this season.”
Huminuk was the sixth overall pick in the 2018 MJHL Draft by the Winnipeg Blues. The Oil Caps acquired him in a trade for prospect Blake Jacques, who is now playing in Alberta. Huminuk’s success has come with hard work. When the MJHL was shut down, he took what he learned from the contests he was able to play in and headed home to work on his game.
“I really wanted to improve my foot speed and agility on the ice, as well as maintaining good conditioning and strength,” Huminuk said.
In Virden, he billets with the Strachan family - Tyler, Serena, Emery and Austyn. Hanging out with his teammates has been one of the highlights of his time with the Oil Capitals.
“Most of us love golfing so we’ve been to the Oak Lake golf course and the Virden Wellview Golf Club a couple times,” Huminuk said in a late September interview.
Golf is one of a number of athletic-related activities he enjoys. Huminuk was on the River East Collegiate golf team in grades nine through 11. Growing up, he played baseball until he was 15 before opting to focus on hockey. Huminuk is also a big into fantasy football. “It is easily my biggest hobby,” he said. “We made a league with a couple guys on the team and I’m in a couple more with friends and family from back home in Winnipeg.”
