The Gladstone Lakers, Miniota/Elkhorn C-Hawks, Pilot Mound Pilots, and Wawanesa Jets all requested 1-year leaves of absence from the Tiger Hills Hockey League, leaving the senior hockey league with 12-teams for the 2024/25 season. The league will continued to be split into 2 divisions with each team playing their divisional foes twice, while playing everyone in the other division once. Games start this Friday the 25th with Boissevain hosting Virden and Carberry travelling to MacGregor. The complete schedule can be found here.

Manitoba cyclist Grant Hamilton headed to Tour de France for leukemia charity ride BRANDON, Man. — Manitoba cyclist Grant Hamilton will ride the entire Tour de France route next year, raising money to Cure Leukemia. Hamilton announced today that he has been selected as one of 25 amateur cyclists from around the world for Tour 21, the only charity ride officially affiliated with the Tour de France. The fully supported ride, in France, will follow the same route and distance as the professional race, exactly one week earlier. Hamilton is the only Canadian rider in this year’s charity ride, and only the second one ever. “The Tour de France is the toughest challenge in pro sports — and thankfully I don’t have to race it, just ride it. Our goal through this challenge is to finish, while raising money that will help cure leukemia,” Hamilton said. “The ride is daunting, and I have months of gruelling training ahead, but what keeps me motivated is knowing that we will be funding clinical trials to help beat blood cancer.” After being hit by a car while biking two years ago, Hamilton turned to cycling advocacy, including the formation of Bike Brandon, a seat on the city’s Vision Zero committee, and securing federally funds to reearch active transportation and improved public spaces in Brandon. “Sports build community and cycling is a great example of that, whether you’re biking up the Alps or down the street to A&L,” Hamilton said. “We’re bringing that same community spirit to bear on leukemia fundraising.” Hamilton is covering the significant entrance fee and other costs of the ride out of pocket and has partnered with A&L Cycle in Brandon, as well as Trek Bikes, to assist with gear and training expenses. “We knew right away that we’d be thrilled to support Grant’s ride. He’ll be spending a lot of time on the bike over the next few months, and we’ll be there for every kilometre,” said A&L Cycle co-owner Cam Wirch. “One of the most rewarding parts of being a local business is lending a helping hand or wrench for the community. That’s part of our DNA at A&L and we found the same with Trek Bikes.” The ride is for an important cause: to Cure Leukemia. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, it is estimated that 6,600 Canadians will be diagnosed with leukemia this year and 3,200 Canadians will die. “As a team, we are riding to raise £1 million that will go to funding clinical trials,” Hamilton said. “Those will have a direct and immediate impact on proving better treatments and getting us closer to a cure. My personal goal is to raise more than $55,000.” Anyone around the world can donate to Cure Leukemia in support of Hamilton’s ride. In Canada, a partnership with the Charities Aid Foundation ensures donors qualify for a tax receipt. Give online at CAFcanada.ca or directly at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/30925. Please make sure to select “Cure Leukemia” as the fund, and to dedicate your donation in honour of Grant Hamilton, to make sure your gift is properly credited. “The only thing I ask of donors is that you let me know!” Hamilton said. “The online platform doesn’t share your info with me, so when you drop me a line, I’ll be able to thank you properly for your support.” Hamilton is easy to find on social media or can be contacted by email at hamilton.grant@gmail.com. The 2025 Tour de France and Tour 21 charity ride to Cure Leukemia start in about nine months.  

(Photo by: Scramble Studio) Clarke Caswell, a product of the Brandon Wheat Kings U18 AAA program, has been named the captain of the Swift Current Broncos for the upcoming WHL season. The 2006-born forward, known for his high hockey IQ and leadership skills, has earned this honor after demonstrating a strong work ethic and impressive playmaking abilities during his time with the Broncos. Caswell, originally selected 6th overall in the 2021 WHL Prospects Draft, has steadily developed into a key player for Swift Current, both on and off the ice.  This past summer, he was selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 5th round, 141st overall of the NHL Entry Draft. In the 2024-25 season, Caswell will look to lead by example, continuing to build on his offensive prowess and playmaking vision. His appointment as captain reflects not only his talent but his capacity to inspire younger teammates in the Broncos’ efforts. Caswell's journey from the Wheat Kings to the Broncos highlights the developmental focus of the WHL, particularly in producing top-tier leadership and skill in young players. With his new role, expectations are high for Caswell to be a central figure in Swift Current’s push for playoff contention. 'C' is for Clarke! The @SCBroncos have named @SeattleKraken prospect Clarke Caswell the 35th captain in franchise history. 📝 | https://t.co/4j8b1atQz0 pic.twitter.com/gkXdQSxRRt — The WHL (@TheWHL) September 24, 2024

Brandon, Manitoba, is home to another rising star in women’s hockey as Paige Crossley has officially signed with Minot State University to join the Beavers' women’s hockey program for the 2025/26 season. Crossley, who has been making waves in the Manitoba female hockey scene, is set to take her talents to the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), where she will play for the Minot State Beavers, one of the top programs in the ACHA Women’s Division. Known for her speed, skill, and hockey IQ, she has consistently demonstrated leadership on the ice and versatility in both offensive and defensive roles. Her journey through various levels of competition, including provincial teams and elite tournaments, has honed her skills and prepared her for the next stage of her hockey career at Minot State. As she prepares to compete in the ACHA. Crossley will spend this season skating with the U18 AAA Female Wheat Kings and a stint with Team Manitoba at the 2024 National Women’s U18 Championship scheduled to take place from Nov. 3 – 9 in Quispamsis, NB. 🖊 Committed! 🖊 Minot State Women’s Hockey is proud to announce the commitment of Forward, Paige Crossley! A product of Brandon, MB. Paige will join the program for the 2025-2026 season following her time with the @U18AAABWK. Welcome to the Beaver Family! #BuildTheDam pic.twitter.com/F8596aartE — Minot State Women’s Hockey (@MSUBeaversWHKY) September 23, 2024

Sally Leask, a former Westman Magic standout, has made her dreams a reality by accepting a Division 1 softball scholarship to Rider University. Set to begin her academic journey in the fall of 2025, Sally will be majoring in Biology at the New Jersey-based university, just an hour from New York City and 15 minutes from Princeton Reflecting on her decision to commit to Rider University, Sally expressed immense happiness. “I was so happy to commit to Rider as we have shown interest in one another for quite some time,” she said. “The more I learned and saw, the more I fell in love with the school, team, and coaches.” This mutual interest and connection solidified her decision to join the Broncs, making Rider University her top choice. Sally was initially drawn to Rider University due to its prime location in the New York area, a place she has dreamed of living in since she was young. “Rider is in a suburban area about an hour from New York City and 15 minutes from Princeton. After speaking with the coach who recruited me and learning more about the program, it became my top pick,” Sally explained. “After meeting the head coach, some of the team, and seeing the campus, I just knew that’s where I want to be. I instantly felt welcomed and at home.” While she had other options ranging from Division 3 to Division 1 schools, Sally knew that Rider was the best fit for her. As Sally prepares to move from Manitoba to New Jersey, she feels a mix of excitement and nerves. “I mainly feel excited but also nervous,” she admitted. “I am very close with my parents, so it will be a bit of a transition moving away, but I know they’ll help with the transition best they can, plus I’ll be in the best hands at Rider.” Sally’s softball journey began at the age of 10, and she played with the Westman Magic for five seasons. During this time, the program played a pivotal role in her development and passion for the game. “Magic and Westman played a huge role in keeping my love for the game alive and my development to get me to the next level,” she shared. In recent years, Sally has been playing for the Winnipeg Lightning and attending the Churchill Softball Academy, where she continues to hone her skills. “I moved to Winnipeg mainly to attend the Churchill Softball Academy, where I train every morning, working on pitching, hitting, fielding, and my mental game,” she said. Sally is quick to acknowledge the many people who have supported her along her journey. “I definitely wouldn’t have made it as far as I did without my parents. They show me so much support, love, and encouragement in everything I do,” she said. “My dad spent countless hours practicing with me, teaching me what he learned from his fastball days. If he was busy, my mom and brother would step in to help me get my reps in.” Sally also expressed her gratitude for her coaches, mentors, and community, including Bev Neufeld, Joel Charles, Kayla Price, Cara Miller, and her mentor and coach, Terrance Lacquette. “Cara Miller will always have a special place in my life,” Sally said. “Anything I learned both physically and mentally as a pitcher, I learned from her.” Additionally, she acknowledged her strength and conditioning coach, Jeff Wood from Sport Manitoba, her friends and teammates, and the support from her community, Waywayseecappo First Nation and Sapotaweyak Cree Nation. While Sally primarily excels as a pitcher, she has also played other positions, including first base, shortstop, and outfield. Her versatility on the field adds to her value as a player, and she is ready to contribute wherever needed. As Sally gears up for her freshman year at Rider University, she is focused on both academic and athletic preparation. “I plan on getting my overall average from a 91% to at least 95% before graduation,” she said. “I already have a plan in place with Jeff and Hailey on what we’re going to be working on this year to prepare me for my freshman year.” In addition to working with her strength and conditioning coach and her softball coach, Sally will be playing with Team Toba and continuing to train with her family and mentor, Terrance Lacquette. “Any gaps will be filled in with hitting at Home Run, reps in my backyard diamond with my family, and mentoring from Terrance,” she added. Sally is particularly focused on improving her pitching velocity and spin, as well as working on her hitting. “I can always improve on pitching, so I will be working on my velocity and spin, but I would also like to work on hitting,” she said. With her eyes set on the future, Sally Leask is ready to take the next step in her softball journey at Rider University. As she embarks on this new chapter, she carries with her the support and love of her family, coaches, and community, and the drive to excel both on and off the field.