There will never be another Jidmen team.
After just one season in the World of Chel Hockey League, the Jidmen have officially closed the book on their franchise—but not before authoring arguably the greatest season the league has ever seen.
On Tuesday night, the top-seeded Jidmen defeated the Rebels 9-8 in overtime in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, completing a sweep and capturing the Season 5 Stanley Cup. Hours later, the organization confirmed that the team would fold, bringing an end to one of the most dominant one-year runs in WOCHL history.
The franchise leaves behind a legacy that may never be replicated: a 38-1 overall record, a President's Trophy, a Stanley Cup championship, and countless league records.
One Season. One Championship.
From the moment the puck dropped on opening night, the Jidmen looked different.
They opened the season with a 14-4 victory over the Yetis and never slowed down. By the end of the regular season, they had amassed a 31-1 record, winning their final 17 games and earning the best record in the league.
Their only loss came on February 19 against the Rebels, a 10-4 defeat that would ultimately become nothing more than a footnote. The Jidmen responded by dominating the remainder of the season and rolling through the playoffs undefeated.
Their final overall record stood at an astonishing 38-1.
Brango and Hause Rewrite the Record Books
Captain Ben Brango (#5) delivered one of the greatest seasons in WOCHL history, recording 87 goals and 119 assists for 206 points in just 21 games. He added another 50 points in seven playoff games and served as the emotional leader of the team.
Alongside him, Chase Hause (#92) was equally unstoppable. His 159-point regular season and league-record 9.94 points per game made him one of the most explosive players ever to skate in the WOCHL. Hause added 41 points in six playoff games, finishing with 200 total points between the regular season and playoffs.
Defenseman Ryder Sterba contributed 85 total points while filling multiple roles, and alternate captain Caden Sordi continued to provide timely offense. Midseason acquisition Jake Albany brought another elite weapon to an already loaded lineup.
But perhaps no player embodied the team's selflessness more than alternate captain Joey Aversa.
Joey Aversa's Championship Performance
While known primarily as a skater, Aversa stepped up between the pipes and became the backbone of the Jidmen's championship run.
He won all five of his playoff starts, posted two shutouts, and authored one of the most dominant stretches ever by a WOCHL goaltender. His back-to-back 10-0 victories in the playoffs resulted in mercy-rule wins and cemented his place in league history.
Aversa and Sterba combined to go 7-0 in the postseason.
Total Playoff Domination
The Jidmen swept the Tigers in the semifinals, outscoring them 34-5. They then met the Rebels in the Stanley Cup Final and left no doubt.
- Game 1: Jidmen 10, Rebels 0
- Game 2: Jidmen 6, Rebels 5
- Game 3: Jidmen 5, Rebels 4 (OT)
- Game 4: Jidmen 9, Rebels 8 (OT)
The perfect 7-0 playoff run completed one of the most impressive postseason performances ever seen.
A Team That Changed the League
The Season 5 Jidmen accomplished nearly everything possible:
- Stanley Cup Champions
- President's Trophy winners
- 38-1 overall record
- 31-1 regular season
- 7-0 playoff record
- Longest winning streak in WOCHL history
- First shootout game in league history
- Back-to-back 10-0 playoff wins
- Back-to-back playoff shutouts
- Stanley Cup sweep over the Rebels
Led by captain Ben Brango, alternate captains Joey Aversa and Caden Sordi, and head coach Alejandro, the Jidmen existed for only one season.
Yet in that lone campaign, they accomplished what many franchises spend years chasing.
There will be future champions. There will be future dynasties.
But there will never be another Jidmen.
The team came. The team conquered.
And then, as champions, they rode off into history.
