Western Hockey League fans will have a new — and free — way to watch their favourite teams this season. The WHL announced Wednesday that all 782 regular-season games during the 2026-27 season will be livestreamed for free on YouTube, moving away from Victory+ on an interim basis. The change comes amid uncertainty surrounding the future of Victory+, which had served as the WHL’s exclusive streaming partner since March 2025. The league says the move is designed to ensure fans continue to have easy access to WHL hockey when the regular season gets underway on September 18. “We continue to believe that providing easy access to games is of critical value and importance as we look to expand our reach and deliver WHL excitement to our fans,” WHL Commissioner Dan Near said. The 2026-27 season features all 23 WHL clubs playing a 68-game regular season. The Brandon Wheat Kings will open their campaign at home September 18 against the Saskatoon Blades. The WHL says more information about its YouTube streaming service will be released ahead of the start of the regular season. For local hockey fans, the change means following the Wheat Kings and the rest of the WHL will be more accessible than ever — and without a subscription fee.

The 2026 WSHL season wrapped up this week with champions being crowned in three different divisions. Division 1  Riley Brown turned aside all 16 shots he faced and Jordy Stallard scored a goal and added two assists as the Vionell Property Barons extended its winning streak to four games with a 4-0 victory over Santa Lucia Pizza at J & G Homes Arena on Monday. Capping off the scoring for the Vionell Property Barons was Kevin Knee, Jimmy Knee, Brayden Michalchuk each adding single tallies. Stallard added two assists. Goaltender Jase Wareham made 16 saves in the loss for the Santa Lucia Pizza. Michalchuk added an empty-netter with 0:01 left in the third period to seal the win for the Vionell Property Barons. Division 2  Braeden Keeble scored two goals and added two assists as the CFHA Hockey erased a three-goal deficit and extended its winning streak to three games with a 7-3 spanking over the Source for Sports Bruins at J & G Homes Arena on Sunday. Also scoring for the CFHA Hockey was Cole Lebreau with two goals and Kaelan Huibers, Carter Thiessen and Jackson Keeble with a goal each. Ryden Lemoine added three assists, Keeble, Huibers and Konner Mackay each added two assists. Goaltender Mason Lebreau turned aside 17 shots for the CFHA Hockey in the win. Striking for the Source for Sports Bruins was Nathaniel Flett with two goals and Daniel Flett with a single marker. Gilbert Teneycke added three assists. Goaltender Ashton Barnesky made 15 saves in the loss for the Source for Sports Bruins. The CFHA Hockey jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Lebreau scored his 12th of the season with 6:30 left in the first period but Flett responded for the Source for Sports Bruins with his 18th of the season to start the rally. Division 3  Rylan Westwood scored two goals as the Source for Sports Edge extended their winning streak to seven games with a 4-2 victory over the Little Italy Pizza at J & G Homes Arena on Tuesday. Adding markers for the Source for Sports Edge was Cody Johanson with two goals . Goaltender Tristan Vanmakelberg turn ed aside 26 shots for the Source for Sports Edge in the victory. Providing the only offence for the Little Italy Pizza was Owen Wareham with two goals. Cameron Ramsay added two assists. Goaltender Connor Dawson made 22 saves in the loss for the Little Italy Pizza.  

Photo: Tamarack Golf Tournament Facebook Clear Lake once again played host to one of Manitoba’s most celebrated summer sporting traditions as the Tamarack Golf Tournament teed off this past week. The annual event, held at the picturesque Clear Lake Golf Course, drew hundreds of golfers and spectators to Riding Mountain National Park. Jason Thorpe won the 2026 Tamarack men’s golf tournament.  Thorpe defeated Kody Fawcett in the final at the Clear Lake golf course. Thorpe started the championship shooting a 71 and 73 in his opening qualifying rounds, leaving him 8th overall. He then disposed of Bryce Evason, Greg Grady Chuback, and Dustin Dyck prior to meeting Fawcett in Saturdays championship match. Additional winners include: “Dale Murray” – Masters. “Riese Gaber and Scott McCallum” – Men’s Scramble. “George Panagiotou” – Seniors. “ Dorelle Fulton and Kandis Matthews” – Ladies Scramble, and “Hunter Oakden” – Juniors. Results for the entire tournament can be viewed here. The 2027 Tamarack Golf Tournament will take place August 21-28.    

Golfers in Brandon will once again be able to enjoy an 18-hole round at Wheat City Golf Course, with the course set to return to 18-hole play tomorrow (August 12) morning following flooding that affected the city. The course was temporarily impacted by the recent flooding, resulting in changes to regular operations while staff worked to assess and prepare the course for a return to play. According to an update posted on the Wheat City Golf Course Facebook page, holes 1, 4, 5 and 7 will temporarily play as par 3s when play resumes. The course says those holes will be lengthened as conditions improve. The nines will also remain flipped this week, meaning all rounds will begin on the back nine. Online booking is also resuming, with golfers able to book their tee times through the course's website at wheatcitygolf.com. The return to 18-hole play is welcome news for local golfers looking to get back on the course following the recent flooding.

Western Canada Hockey Academy (WCHA) is expanding its athletic programming for the 2026/27 school year with the introduction of a new Hockey + Baseball/Softball Hybrid Program in partnership with Triple Crown Sports. Building on its commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes, WCHA is creating more opportunities for students to pursue multiple sports while receiving the benefits of a private education, academic support, mentorship, and athletic development within one supportive environment. The new program joins WCHA’s existing athletic pathways, including the Hockey + Golf Hybrid Program with EVO Golf, providing students with more options to develop their skills, compete, and grow across multiple sports. “Student-athletes today are looking for opportunities that allow them to pursue their passions while continuing to develop at a high level,” said Jason Roblin. “We are seeing more athletes embrace multi-sport development, but many are faced with the challenge of choosing between the sports they love. Our goal at the WCHA has always been to create an environment where students can challenge themselves academically, athletically, and personally. Expanding our programming allows us to better support the complete student-athlete and provide more opportunities for athletes to grow across multiple sports.” Through the partnership with Triple Crown Sports, Grade 7 and 8 student-athletes enrolled in the Hockey + Baseball/Softball Hybrid Program will participate in dedicated baseball and softball development sessions two days per week while continuing their hockey training at WCHA. The program is designed for athletes who want to: ● Continue developing their hockey skills while pursuing baseball or softball ● Build confidence and athletic ability across multiple sports ● Learn from experienced coaches and development professionals ● Be part of a community focused on growth both on and off the field “Multi-sport development provides athletes with more opportunities to grow, learn, and compete,” said Faron Asham. “We are excited to partner with WCHA and provide student-athletes with a unique, year-round ball training environment.” The expansion reflects WCHA’s continued commitment to offering innovative programming that supports the needs of today’s student-athletes. More Than Hockey. More Opportunities to Grow. With hockey, golf, baseball, and softball pathways available, WCHA continues to build an environment where students can pursue their athletic goals while receiving a strong private education and academic foundation. Fall 2026 admissions are now open. For more information about WCHA’s expanded athletic programming or to apply for the 2026/27 school year, visit wchahockey.ca/academy.