Brandon Wheat Kings this week –
The Brandon Wheat Kings annual west coast road trip has begun.
The Western Hockey League club, fresh off back to back weekend victories at Westman Place, arrive in Prince George today and will kick off their longest road trip of the 2014-15 season – a 7-gamer – Wednesday night against the Cougars.
In addition to facing all five B.C. based teams, the Wheat Kings will make stops in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat on their way back to Manitoba in two weeks time.
Brandon’s next home game is Friday, November 7th against the visiting Saskatoon Blades. Tickets to all remaining home games are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling (204) 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com
LAST WEEKEND’S HOME GAMES:
Friday, October 17th vs. Swift Current – Wheat Kings 8 Broncos 3
The Wheat Kings exploded for five third period goals to snap a 3-3 tie en route to an 8-3 victory. Rookies Duncan Campbell and Ivan Provorov scored two goals each for the Wheat Kings, who snapped a 2-game skid.
Saturday, October 18th vs. Portland – Wheat Kings 10 Hawks 3
Jayce Hawryluk scored four times as the Wheat Kings hit double figures for the first time since January 7th, 2012 in Prince Albert.
7-GAME WESTERN ROAD SWING SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, October 22nd @ Prince George Cougars
Friday, October 24th @ Kamloops Blazers
Saturday, October 25th @ Kelowna Rockets
Tuesday, October 28th @ Victoria Royals
Wednesday, October 29th @ Vancouver Giants
Friday, October 31st @ Lethbridge Hurricanes
Saturday, November 1st @ Medicine Hat Tigers
WHEAT KINGS CHOSEN TO SUBWAY SUPER SERIES ROSTER:
Two members of the Wheat Kings will represent Brandon next month when game two of the 2014 SUBWAY SUPER SERIES invades Westman Place on Tuesday, November 11th. Forwards John Quenneville (Edmonton) and Jayce Hawryluk (Roblin) will be joined by Westman product defenceman Travis Sanheim (Elkhorn) of Calgary and Winnipeg Jets’ prospects Eric Comrie (Edmonton) from Tri-City, Portland’s Nicolas Petan (Delta) and defenceman Josh Morrissey (Calgary) of the Prince Albert Raiders.
Coaching Team WHL will be Victoria’s Dave Lowry and Brandon coach and general manager Kelly McCrimmon. A former Canadian Hockey League Executive of the Year, McCrimmon is currently the Wheat Kings all time winningest coach.
A second round draft choice of the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers, the 5’10” 197 lb Hawryluk is currently in his third season with the Wheat Kings. In nine games with the Wheat Kings this season, he has nine goals and 13 points. Hawryluk, who helped lead Canada to a gold medal at the prestigious Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in 2013, led Brandon in scoring last season with 24 goals and 64 points in fifty-nine games.
Chosen by the New Jersey Devils in the first round (30th overall) in last June’s NHL draft, Quenneville has two goals and six points in four games this season. However, the 6’1” 205 lb center has been sidelined for the past two weeks with an upper body injury.
WHEAT KINGS ANNOUNCE RETURN OF SCHOOL PATROL PROGRAM:
The Wheat Kings, in conjunction with Manitoba Public Insurance, CAA Manitoba, Canexus Chemicals and Pyramid Steel paid special tribute this past Saturday to western Manitoba school patrols. Over five hundred from Brandon and surrounding area are expected to attend the game, compliments of the Wheat Kings, the Brandon Police Service as well as the four participating sponsors.
In addition to the game, the hockey club has announced a partnership with Manitoba Public Insurance and the Brandon Sun, aimed at recognizing children who are part of their school’s “Safety Patrol Unit”. Once a month, patrol members from one Brandon school will enjoy lunch with members of the Wheat Kings, including 2014-15 Honorary School Patrol Captain Eric Roy.
“As a leader in road safety, our corporation is committed to reducing fatalities and injuries on our roadways,” said MaryAnn Kempe, Vice-President, Business Development, Communications & Chief Product Officer, Manitoba Public Insurance. “The school patrol program is a positive, grass-roots program aimed at an impressionable age-group.”
OTHER COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS:
In addition to the School Patrol Luncheon program, the Wheat Kings are excited to announce the return of the CIBC Read to Succeed Program for the 2014-15 season. Western Manitoba schools interested in participating are encouraged to contact the Wheat Kings at 726-3535 or by email at [email protected]
Meanwhile the first Minor Hockey Caravan visit of the season, presented by Canadian Tire and the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba, was held this past week in Melita. Veteran Colton Waltz and rookies Logan Thompson and Kale Clague took the ice with members of Melita minor hockey and then followed that up by signing autographs and distributing complimentary tickets to a November home game.
BRANDON BITS & MILESTONES:
By scoring four goals on Saturday, Hawryluk became the first Wheat King to do that since Michael Ferland in February 2012 … Saturday’s lopsided win over the Hawks snapped a 5-game losing streak against Portland … Brandon heads west after going 5-0-1-0 in its first six home games of the 2014-15 campaign … Latvian left-winger Rihards Bukarts continues to lead the club in scoring with five goals and 17 points in eleven games … Former Lethbridge Hurricane Macoy Erkamps has moved to within ten points of the 100-point plateau in his WHL career.
courtesy of BrandonWheatKings.com
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