Millionaires Establishing Identity Through Opening Seven Games
Seven games into the 2026–27 SJHL regular season, the Melville Millionaires are beginning to establish their identity.
The Mils enter the week with a 4–3–0 record, scoring 14 goals while allowing just 14, and have climbed to #5 in the latest SJHL Power Rankings following a pair of impressive home victories.
Melville has earned wins over Weyburn, Melfort, Flin Flon and Humboldt to open the season and currently sits atop the Bunge Division with eight points.
Strong Team Defence Leading the Way
Through the opening seven games, the Millionaires have established themselves as one of the SJHL’s toughest teams to score against.
Melville has surrendered just 14 goals, an average of only 2.00 goals per game, while the penalty kill has also been outstanding at 91.2 percent.
The Mils have allowed two goals or fewer in five of their seven games.
While the offence continues to find its stride, Melville has shown an ability to stay patient and win tight hockey games — something that has already been evident in 2–1 victories over both Melfort and Humboldt.
Kraus Shines Between the Pipes
One of the biggest stories of the opening weeks has been the play of #35 Noah Kraus.
Kraus has delivered several outstanding performances early in his first SJHL season, beginning with a 35-save performance in Melville’s 4–2 season-opening victory in Weyburn.
He followed that with 30 saves in a 2–1 road victory over Melfort and another 30-save performance as the Millionaires defeated the defending SJHL champion Flin Flon Bombers 4–2 at the CN Community Centre.
Kraus then turned in his best performance of the season on October 3.
Facing Humboldt, the Millionaires netminder stopped 45 of 46 shots to backstop Melville to a 2–1 victory.
His performances earned him SJHL SGEU MVP of the Week honours after posting a 2–0 record with a 1.50 goals-against average and .962 save percentage during the week.
Offence Looking to Take the Next Step
While defence and goaltending have been major strengths, the Millionaires know there is another level offensively.
Through seven games, Grady Carmichael and Kale Margolis lead the Mils with five points each, while Rylan Oatman sits close behind with four.
Carmichael leads the team with three goals, including two on the power play and a pair of game-winning goals.
The Mils have also received contributions throughout the lineup, with Wesley Olson, Cole Brown and Preston Baerwald each recording three points.
Melville’s power play currently sits at 12.9 percent, providing an area where the club will look to improve as the season progresses.
Building Momentum
After dropping a tight 3–1 decision in Humboldt on October 2, the Mils responded the following night at the CN Community Centre with a 2–1 victory.
That win followed a 4–2 victory over defending league champion Flin Flon just days earlier.
The recent stretch helped propel Melville from #8 to #5 in the latest SJHL Power Rankings.
Through seven games, the formula has been clear: strong defensive hockey, an excellent penalty kill, timely scoring and outstanding goaltending.
There is plenty of hockey still to be played, but the Millionaires have already shown they can compete with some of the league’s best.
And now, attention turns to one of the most anticipated weekends on the schedule.
Highway 10 Rivalry Up Next
The Melville Millionaires and Yorkton Terriers will renew the Highway 10 Rivalry this weekend with a home-and-home set.
With bragging rights, divisional positioning and two important early-season games on the line, another chapter of one of the SJHL’s best rivalries is ready to be written.
The season is only seven games old — and the Mils are just getting started.
#BuiltDifferent
