Marlen Edwards, who has deep roots in Sandy Bay First Nation, has helped lead the Niverville Nighthawks to their first national Junior A hockey title. The 19-year-old forward played a key role in the team’s victory at the 2026 Centennial Cup in Summerside, Prince Edward Island, which concluded on May 17, 2026.
Edwards, whose mother Emma Edwards is from Sandy Bay First Nation, provided critical offensive production for the Nighthawks throughout the tournament. He scored the overtime winner in the team’s opening game against the host Summerside Western Capitals and added an insurance goal during the 4-1 championship final victory. This win capped an undefeated 6-0 run at the tournament for the Nighthawks, an expansion team that debuted in the 2022-2023 season.
The achievement is being celebrated in the community as a source of local pride. Edwards, who is also status to Lake Manitoba First Nation, has long been recognized for his athletic talent, including winning a gold medal and being named Top Forward at the 2023 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships.
This success comes at a challenging time for Sandy Bay, as residents continue to navigate a boil water advisory that has been in effect since January 12, 2026. The advisory remains in place for all community homes and facilities due to a loss of water pressure in the local water system.
According to Hockey Manitoba, the Nighthawks are the fourth Manitoba-based team to claim the national Junior A championship. The team finished their dominant season with a 51-6-1 record in regular season play and a 12-1 record in the playoffs.
