Now in his fourth season as a Virden Oil Capital, Kolten Kanaski takes a lot of pride in his Manitoba Junior Hockey League team and the community where he plays.
“Playing in Virden has meant a lot to me,” he said. “Sometimes it’s even hard to think about what life is like back at home when I’m here so often.”
The 20-year-old Beausejour product has been a leader on and off the ice for the Oil Capitals as its captain this season. At the MJHL Christmas break, Kanaski has helped the team to an 18-14-2-2 record. The squad sat sixth in the league standings. The Oil Caps are back in action on Jan. 5 when they play in Portage. The next home game is Jan. 9 when the Swan Valley Stampeders come to visit.
“Kolten brings so many things to our group,” Virden head coach Tyson Ramsey said. “Obviously, he is a highly skilled player and is a leader offensively, but he also is a tremendous leader in the dressing room and is not afraid to speak his mind and help our young guys feel comfortable on and off the ice. He also is willing to pay a price to make plays and play in the hard areas of the rink. He finishes checks and plays a heavy game that is hard for opponents to handle. He contributes in all situations and we are real happy with what Kolten does for this group.”
At the MJHL Christmas break, the 5-foot-10, 189-pound Kanaski is tied with Hunter Cloutier for the team lead with 46 points in 36 games. Cloutier is fourth in the league in scoring while Kanaski is one spot behind. Teammate and Virden product Tanner Andrew is sixth with 40 points.
Kanaski leads the Oil Caps with 27 assists. He is third on the squad in goals with 19. While Kanaski is a skilled player, he also is physical. Kanaski paces the team in penalty minutes and is third in the league with 124.
Kanaski has long been a points producer for the Oil Caps. As a rookie, in 2016-2017, he recorded eight points – all goals. Kanaski had 17 goals and 34 points the next season. In 2018-2019, he exploded for 62 points with 32 goals.
Kanaski’s value to the team is not just in his points production. He has developed into an important leader. Kanaski takes being the team’s captain seriously.
“Being 20 years old, wearing the ‘C’ means a lot to me,” he said. “It’s exciting for me to know that the fans here have got to see me grow up into the man I am now, and I get to lead the hometown team.”
Kanaski said Virden has definitely become a second hometown for him. He and teammate Jayden Wojciechowski billet with Gary and Angie Rhodes.
“Virden is such a welcoming place and I can’t say enough about the people,” Kanaski said,
He is focused on finishing his career on a high note by helping the Oil Capitals succeed. Next season he hopes to be playing and studying at the post-secondary level.
“I plan on attending university with the goal to obtain a criminal justice degree,” Kanaski said. “I would like to become a police officer one day. When it comes to hockey, I’m not too sure what I’ll be doing but am currently keeping my doors open.”
