Fourth-year Bisons defencemen Megan Nezudak and Jenai Buchanan — both from small towns in the province — are the elder-statesmen on Manitoba's blue line this season, and they go way back.

"We have been on a team together since bantam or peewee," says Buchanan.

"It's kind of cool that you can say you've been playing together with someone for that long, because not many teams people can say that. And it just so happens that we're born on the same day too."

"She always brings up the fact that she's older," joked Neduzak. "She was born in the morning. I was not."

Buchanan's dad — the head of the rink in Crystal City, Manitoba — can be credited in part to the pair's origins as teammates and friends.

"My dad and this guy from Hamiota, they met each other at a hockey tournament and that year they randomly chose 15 girls from Manitoba and put together a team," she recalled.

"We would get together once a month to practice and we'd go to tournaments. It ended up that we were actually quite good for not really knowing each other."

Both athletes continued their hockey career with the powerhouse Pembina Valley Hawks of the Manitoba Female Midget Hockey League (MFMHL), who were fresh off an Esso Cup win.

The pair won titles in 2013 and 2014 with Pembina Valley and earned leadership positions as their MFMHL careers progressed. Buchanan was the captain in 2015-16, while Neduzak was an alternate captain.

The connection continued with the U of M beginning in 2016-17, a season that ended in Academic All-Canadian status for both.

"When we found out we'd still be on the same team still, obviously it was great because we've been playing together and we're used to each other," Neduzak says.

"It was kind of nice to have someone you've been with and then coming to a new team, you always have someone that you're comfortable around."

Neduzak and Buchanan were both on Manitoba's national championship roster in 2017-18 and took much from the experience.

"I think just always having that in the back of your mind, of how you did it and the process of getting there, not even just winning," noted Neduzak.

"Throughout the year, what we learned there and the leadership that I experienced from other people [in 2017-18], I want to be the one for them this year, for all the younger girls."

Both blue liners have been major assets for Manitoba this season.

Buchanan is a vocal leader in the locker room for a young Bisons team, who is also tied for the team lead in points, with five.

"Growing up in a small town has shown me different attributes of being a leader, especially my work ethic," she says.

"I'm also a very vocal person. I like to speak up and sometimes you have to say what needs to be said. You're not going to say it in a rude way but sometimes it has to be done. Mostly I'm an outgoing and very easy person to talk to."

Neduzak helps lead by example with her work ethic on the ice and in the classroom, as well as her drive.

"I think my skating ability and being able to compete with intensity on the ice has probably helped me through university hockey," she says.

"I feel like I'm a lead by example type of person, and when people ask me questions I feel like I'm honest and kind and hopefully not scary. I asked the rookies last year if they thought I was scary and they were like 'no.' I want to be, but I can't. It's just who I am."

What's just as impressive about the pair is their humble attitude and openness, especially around the ten rookies on the roster.

"The first and second day I was cracking jokes with [the rookies]," Buchanan says with a smile.

"And I have two rookies beside me in the dressing room, so I like to bug them. That's who I am. I think it just broke the ice and allowed them to open up too. If we're joking around, they're able to be themselves and everyone gets closer that way."

"It's not really as obviously now about who's in their first year and who's not," added Neduzak.

"I ask them questions all the time about skills and stuff, because there's a lot to learn from them too. There's a lot that I can take from there."

The overall university experience has been nothing but positive for both.

"I think I've been able to become multi-faceted in different aspects, from hockey to school, and just becoming a more educated person," says Neduzak.

"Even meeting people in classes that you don't know and they have different experiences. You get humbled by the things you get rewarded for in [university] hockey. People don't get to fly all the time. You feel more grateful for what you have."

As the two approach the closing years of their university careers, the memories are countless, as is their personal growth.

"I don't know [our friendship] has really changed, which is not a bad thing," noted Neduzak.

"I think it's a good thing. We both are kind of bubbly I guess. Seeing both of us grow, we are two different people and I think I take away a lot from her. I've seen her grow into a really cool person."