Brandon, MB – The Brandon Wheat Kings have a new General Manager. Kelly McCrimmon, the Western Hockey League club’s Owner and Governor, has appointed Darren Ritchie for the job. A former WHL All Star, Ritchie becomes the twelfth GM since the Wheat Kings joined the Western Canada Hockey League in 1967. A Winnipeg native, Ritchie brings a wealth of WHL experience, having spent nine seasons as an Assistant Coach before being named Director of Scouting in 2016. “It’s a real honour to have been given this opportunity,” says Ritchie, who was a member of McCrimmon’s coaching staff when the Wheat Kings hosted the MasterCard Memorial Cup in 2010, when they captured the Eastern Conference Title in 2015 and when Brandon captured the Ed Chynoweth Trophy as WHL Champions in 2016. “I’ve always been proud to be a Wheat King and I look forward to working with our staff to ensure this club continues to improve and become a consistently successful team.” “Being a leader for our hockey club, I am excited about having the chance to help make this club the best that it can be,” he went on to say. During his WHL playing days, Ritchie scored 152 goals (7th most in franchise history) and 278 points in 232 regular season career games. His best season came in 1994-94 when he recorded a team leading 62 goals and 114 points in 69 games. Not only was he named to the Eastern Conference First All Star Team, he was chosen winner of the Brad Hornung Trophy that goes to the league’s Most Sportsmanlike Player and he was instrumental in leading the Wheat Kings to the WHL Championship Final and a berth into the 1995 Memorial Cup in Kamloops. Following his junior career, Darren spent nine seasons playing professional hockey in both North America and Europe. “I am proud today to name Darren the general manager of our team,” says McCrimmon. “He has a tremendous background in the game in a variety of roles. This experience base will serve him well in his new position.” “Darren has been a Wheat King for sixteen years and no one understands better what our organization is about,” McCrimmon went on to say. Two of Ritchie’s most important moves should come shortly as he will be instrumental in leading the search for not only head coach but his replacement as director of scouting. “Our search for a new head coach continues,” says the 45-year old Ritchie, who expects to have an announcement in the next week. Ritchie and his wife Rhonda have two children – Quinn and Nolan. In addition to McCrimmon, Ritchie joins a list of former GMs that include the likes of Bill Shinske, Les Jackson, Jack Brockest, Jim Foubister, Doug Clark, Rudy Pilous, Gerry Brisson, Ron Maxwell, Glen Lawson and Grant Armstrong. (Source: Brandon Wheat Kings)

Unrestricted free-agent Micheal Ferland has reached a new four-year, 14 million, agreement with the NHL's Vancouver Canucks. The 27-year old Ferland spent last season with the Carolina Hurricanes where he tallied 17 goals and 23 assists. Now 27, the former Wheat King (2009-2013) joins his 3rd NHL team since entering the NHL.

The Westman Magic will be hoping to take advantage of home field this weekend when the Softball Manitoba U14 ‘A’ Girls’ Championship takes place at the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex in Brandon. The Magic have had a highly successful season to date, posting a 14-4 regular season record in the Manitoba Ladies’ Super Softball League. The club has also captured gold this season at the ICT Tournament in Winnipeg, the Saskatoon Presidents Tournament and, most recently, the Red River Rage Tournament in Fargo, North Dakota this past weekend. The 2019 event will also feature the introduction of a four-day Provincial Championship by Softball Manitoba. The eight-team Championship will include a full round-robin on Thursday, Friday and Saturday with a playoff round to follow on Sunday. This will guarantee that there will be a gold medal game on the final day. In addition to determining the Provincial Champion, the Softball Manitoba U14 ‘A’ Girls’ Championship will determine the teams that will represent Manitoba at the Softball Canada U14 Championship in Montreal, Quebec from August 7-11 and the Western Canadian U14 Championship to be held in Winnipeg from August 8-11. The Softball Manitoba U14 ‘A’ Girls’ Championship is being co-hosted by the Westman Softball Association, the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex Committee and the Westman Softball Umpires’ Association. A .pdf of the schedule can be found here: Schedule (2019). (article submitted)

The Wendys Summer Hockey League (WSHL) kicked off its 28th season on Wednesday with a total of 18 teams taking part in four different divisions. The summer league is a perfect way for players to stay sharp and in game shape during the off season. The league has a seven-week regular season schedule that runs from the start of July to the third week of August. Playoffs immediately follow the conclusion of the regular season. Each year the rosters are filled with players with NHL, WHL, College, and minor pro hockey experience on their resume. Micheal Ferland, Travis Sanheim, Cody McLeod, and Ryan Pulock are among the NHL players lacing them up in the WSHL this season. Players who played in the WHL last season include Daemon Hunt, Tristen Robins, Chad Nychuk, Zack Wytinck, Trent Miner, and Jiri Patera. Morgan Geekie, Jordan Stallard, Duncan Campbell, Tyler Dittmer, Matt Lowry, Ryan White, Alex Plante, and Colby Robak represent a strong contingent of former WHL players competing in the WSHL this summer. For more information on the league, please click this link.

Brandon-born, NHL defenceman, Joel Edmundson, will bring the Stanley Cup to a free viewing party at the Keystone Centre on Monday, July 8, 2019. Edmundson won the 2019 Stanley Cup with the St Louis Blues, the first Stanley Cup in their 52-year franchise history. Public are invited to attend this free event and use their own camera for their family or group photo with Edmundson and the Stanley Cup, which will be on a first come first served basis. The event will be located in the UCT Pavilion from 1PM to 5PM. There will be a BBQ on-site with food and beverages available for purchase. “I’m excited to bring The Stanley Cup to Brandon to say ‘Thank you’ to those that helped me along the way and to show people that dreams do come true,” said Joel Edmundson, 2019 Stanley Cup Champion, St Louis Blues. “The Keystone Centre is excited to partner with Joel Edmundson and his family to host this free event for the community,” said Krista Kowaluk, marketing & sponsorship manager, Keystone Centre. “We look forward to celebrating Joel’s big win here in the facility where he played in his youth and showing him how proud our region is of his career and accomplishments!” Credit: Keystone Centre Facebook event