2018 National King Miner Competition

On Saturday, June 23rd, 2018 USW Local 6166 held the annual King Miner Competition at the T.R.C.C. Parking Lot. 16 Competitors battled for the top prize of $2000.00, one-of-a-kind King Miner Ring, created by Don Johnson Jewelers, and the trophy and title of 2018 Ming Miner. 

After 11 grueling events, which include Hand Mucking, Hose mending, and crib building, Josh Forest won the title of 2018 King Miner for the second year in a row. Jason Stykalo came in second, Scott Kennedy third, and Gord Whalen 4th. 

Team event winners this year were Scott Kennedy, Justin Lefebvre, Jason Stykalo, and Alex Martin. Rookie prize went to Micheal Gallant. Rookie is a first time competitor who completed all the events in the fastest time.

Another highlight of the competition was the first ever woman to complete all 11 events in the King Miner competition Malanie Cutler. Everybody gave her support and cheered her on as she competed towards finishing all the events. Even getting Justin Lefebvre to comment at the reception after the competition "As a father of a daughter, i hope she grows up to be half the person Melanie Cutler is”.

The following is the list of winners in all the events:

1. National King Miner:

I. King Miner: Josh Forest 
II. 1st Runner Up: Jason Stykalo 
III. 2nd Runner Up: Scott Kennedy 
IV. 3rd Runner Up: Gord Whalen 


2. Team Event: Sponsor - A & B Builders 

I. Scott Kennedy
II. Justin Lefebvre
III. Jason Stykalo
IV. Alex Martin


3. Rookie Prize: Sponsor - Sling Choker

I. Micheal Gallant

1 Stoper Drilling (Sponsors - Atlas Copco)

I. 1st Prize: Josh Forest
II. 2nd Prize: Alex Martin 
III. 3rd Prize: Gord Whalen 
IV. 4th Prize: Justin Lefebvre 

2 Jackleg Drilling (Sponsor - Horizon)

I. 1st Prize: Gord Whalen 
II. 2nd Prize: Alex Martin 
III. 3rd Prize: Josh Forest 
IV. 4th Prize: Troy Martin 

3 Bolting (Sponsor - Orica)

I. 1st Prize: Alex Martin 
II. 2nd Prize: Gord Whalen 
III. 3rd Prize: Justin Lefebvre 
IV. 4th Prize: Ian Bercier 

4 Log Sawing (Sponsor - USW Northern Area Council)

I. 1st Prize: Jason Stykalo 
II. 2nd Prize: Scott Kennedy 
III. 3rd Prize: Matthew Macgregor 
IV. 4th Prize: Josh Forest 

5 Ladder Climbing (Sponsor - Smook)

I. 1st Prize: Scott Kennedy 
II. 2nd Prize: Jason Stykalo 
III. 3rd Prize: Gord Whalen 
IV. 4th Prize: Justin Lefebvre 

6 Hose Mending (Sponsors - Kleysen Group LTD/Thompson Co-op)

I. 1st Prize: Troy Martin 
II. 2nd Prize: Josh Forest 
III. 3rd Prize: Gord Whalen 
IV. 4th Prize: Jason Stykalo 

7 Hand Mucking (Sponsor - Alex MacIntyre)

I. 1st Prize: Josh Forest 
II. 2nd Prize: Jason Stykalo 
III. 3rd Prize: Alex Martin 
IV. 4th Prize: Justin Lefebvre 

8 Steel Packing (Sponsor - USW Canadian National Office)

I. 1st Prize: Scott Kennedy 
II. 2nd Prize: Matthew Macgregor 
III. 3rd Prize: Justin Lefebvre 
IV. 4th Prize: Josh Forest 

9 Crib Building (Sponsor - Thompson Inn, Burntwood hotel, & The Marlborough)

I. 1st Prize: Scott Kennedy 
II. 2nd Prize: Matthew Macgregor 
III. 3rd Prize: Gord Whalen 
IV. 4th Prize: Josh Forest 

10 Pipefitting (Sponsors - Manitoba Federation of Labour/Manitoba Government Employees Union)

I. 1st Prize: Josh Forest 
II. 2nd Prize: Jason Stykalo 
III. 3rd Prize: Scott Kennedy 
IV. 4th Prize: Micheal Gallant 

11 Nail Driving (Sponsor - UFCW Local 832)

I. 1st Prize: Scott Kennedy 
II. 2nd Prize: Jason Stykalo 
III. 3rd Prize: Gord Whalen 
IV. 4th Prize: Troy Martin