For the first time in 25 years, the Medicine Hat Cubs are hunting a league title—but the path to the 2026 HJHL Championship goes through the best team in the North. The Heritage Junior Hockey League Final begins this weekend, pitting the Red Deer Vipers against the Medicine Hat Cubs in a battle of division giants.
How They Got Here
Medicine Hat Cubs (South Champs)
The Cubs are riding a massive wave of momentum. After a gritty 3–2 series win over their arch-rivals, the Okotoks Bisons, they absolutely dismantled the Cochrane Generals in the South Final.
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The Sweep: Medicine Hat swept Cochrane 3–0, capping it off with a 7–1 blowout at the Kinplex on March 5.
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The X-Factor: Goaltender Marlo DeRosa. Fresh off winning the HJHL Top Goaltender award, he posted a 36-save performance in the clincher and has been nearly unbeatable.
Red Deer Vipers (North Champs)
The Vipers have been the team to beat all season. They secured the North Division title by dispatching the Sylvan Lake Wranglers in four games, sealing the deal with a 4–2 victory on Thursday night.
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The Depth: Red Deer’s attack comes in waves. With weapons like Mason Hastings and Daytn Kulynych leading the charge, they can punish you if you take a shift off.
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Resilience: They dropped Game 2 to Sylvan Lake in the North Final but responded by closing out last season league champions. They know how to close out series.
The Season Series
If the regular season is any indication, get your popcorn ready. These two teams met twice, splitting the season series with high-scoring affairs on home ice. Total Goals: 20 in 2 games.
Nov 23, 2025: Cubs 7, Vipers 4
In Medicine Hat, the Cubs offense exploded for seven goals, proving they can run-and-gun with the high-flying Vipers offense.
In Medicine Hat, the Cubs offense exploded for seven goals, proving they can run-and-gun with the high-flying Vipers offense.
Jan 24, 2026: Vipers 7, Cubs 2
The Vipers got their revenge at Servus Arena, dominating the rematch and hanging seven goals of their own on the board.
The Verdict
This is the dream matchup for the HJHL. You have the Cubs, looking to end a quarter-century drought with the league’s hottest goalie, against the Vipers, a relentless machine that finished atop the regular season standings.
Prediction:Â This goes the distance. Vipers have home-ice advantage, but the Kinplex will be a fortress for the Cubs. Buckle up.
