Mahura pumped about another Cup run
Josh Mahura was just two victories shy of a rare three-peat.
If the Regina Pats had won last year’s WHL championship series — the Seattle Thunderbirds were presented with the Ed Chynoweth Cup after Game 6 — Mahura would be in position to play in a third consecutive Memorial Cup.
Mahura was a member of the Red Deer Rebels when they played host to the CHL’s championship in 2016. Regina is the host team for the 2018 Memorial Cup, to be held May 17-27.
In between, Mahura helped Regina win a franchise-record 52 games and the Eastern Conference title last season.
“I’ve been pretty fortunate in my career to have been on some pretty good teams,” says Mahura, a 19-year-old defenceman.
“With hosting twice, it’s really special for me.
“There’s a lot of players who have never been able to be in a Memorial Cup or be in a league final, so it’s very special. I’ve just been really excited and really fortunate to be on these sorts of teams.”
Mahura missed all but two games of the 2015-16 regular season before returning to the Rebels’ lineup for the playoffs and the Memorial Cup.
He was traded to Regina midway through the 2016-17 campaign, shortly before the Pats were awarded hosting privileges for the 2018 Memorial Cup.
“Being through it once, it’s easier to put it to the back of your head and just know it’s coming up,” Mahura says. “Going through it once, it’s good to be able to talk to the guys about it and let them know that we have a job to finish right now and we have other things to focus on than the end of May.
“We’re just trying to keep it all in check. The guys here are pretty dialed in on not focusing on the end of May and just focusing on the next game.”
Entering Friday’s game against the host Saskatoon Blades, Mahura has 21 goals — the second-best total among WHL defencemen. The Medicine Hat Tigers’ David Quenneville leads the way with 24 goals, but he has played in eight more games (59) than Mahura.