Photo courtesy of Matthew Hamilton

The Winnipeg Rifles have high expectations coming into this season after a successful campaign in 2022 which included a couple of very important wins for the franchise.

They will open their Spring Camp on May 8 and do expect to have another massive turnout attending.  In the past they have averaged over 100 players and this year should be no different. 

Last season the Rifles finished 4-4 and pushed the eventual champion Regina Thunder to the brink in a 23-14 semi-final loss to end their year.   Their defence was solid all season and finished with a Conference high +10 in the turnover category and led the way with 10 fumble recoveries. 

The coaching staff will assess their new crop of players all week during Spring Camp and will finish with the always exciting scrimmage on Saturday.  There have been times in the past where a job has been won or lost during scrimmage, so players know there is plenty on the line. 

They will open the season on the road on Sunday August 13 when they face the Edmonton Huskies before their home opener a week later when they welcome the Saskatoon Hilltops.