St. John’s, NFLD – The Canadian Ball Hockey Association (CBHA) announced that their Board of Directors has named Brandon, Manitoba and the Manitoba Ball Hockey Association (MBHA) as the Host Community and Host CBHA Member for the 2021 International Street and Ball Hockey Federation (ISBHF) World Ball Hockey Championship. Brandon was selected from among four (4) official bids under consideration, with the other bids being from Calgary (Alberta), Laval (Quebec), and St. John’s (Newfoundland and Labrador). The site selection process began in May of 2019 and had over 20 communities and groups from across Canada expressing an interest to host. “We were thrilled with the quality of all the bids we received and considered,” commented CBHA President Steve Power. “The Brandon bid demonstrated to us a great venue plan, solid business plan with committed support from various partners, and some unique concepts to allow for Team Canada to have the best chance for success at the World Championship. All bids were impressive, but we know we chose a great partnership with Brandon and the MBHA.” Jeffrey Dzikowicz , Chair of the Host Committee and Technical Director with the MBHA stated, “During the bid process we kept our eye on three targets: 1. Hosting the event in a world class facility; 2. Taking care of Team Canada and giving them the best chance at success, and; 3. Ensuring the growth of the sport of ball hockey in the Province of Manitoba and throughout Canada. In winning the bid, we will be sticking with these objectives. We are looking forward to hosting the worlds’ best in the game.” “Brandon is thrilled to work in concert with the CBHA and MBHA to bring incredible ball hockey back to both our city and country and we look forward to hosting together this world class competition and celebration,” comments Graham Harvey, Executive Director of Brandon First. “We are deeply grateful for the trust put in us as host city and delight in the opportunity for our entire city to come together to welcome the world.” The 2021 World Championship will have the Keystone Centre (Home of the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings) as the main event venue. It will include approximately 700 athletes, coaches and officials from approximately 26 or more National Teams from various ISBHF member federations in both Men’s and Women’s divisions. It is estimated the Championship will have an economic impact of $1.5 to $2.0 Million to the Brandon area and the Province of Manitoba. Canada will have teams in both the Men’s and Women’s divisions, selected from eligible CBHA players from across Canada, through a 2-year selection process. At the most recent World Championship in Kosice, Slovakia in June of 2019, the Canadian Women’s Team captured the Gold Medal and the Canadian Men’s Team finished with a Bronze Medal (3rd place). The Women’s Team has captured five (5) Gold Medals (including the 2019 ISBHF World Championship), while the Men’s Team has also captured the Gold Medal Five (5) times at the ISBHF Championship. The 2021 Championship marks the 3rd time Canada will host the ISBHF World Championship, with the others being Toronto (2001) and St. John’s (2013). 2021 will be the 14th ISBHF Championship in its history. The tentative dates for the 2021 Championship are June 11 through June 19, 2021 (subject toapproval from the ISBHF). The website and other social media channels will be announced in the coming months. (submitted press release)

Brandon's Jalyn Elmes was named to the 2019/20 National Women's Development Team roster who will face the United States in a three game series starting this Wednesday. Elmes plays college hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth where she served as one of the team's two captains last season. She registered 15 points (3g,12a) in 32 games with the Bulldogs during the 2018/19 campaign, while playing defense. Deloraine's Ashton Bell, also a defensemen, was named to the team as well. Like Elmes, she too attends the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

The Wheat City Whiskey Jacks recently completed their inaugural season in the Expedition Baseball League and plans are already being discussed for next year. While the team finished dead last (12-52) in the 10-team league, General Manager Ray Walker feels there are several positives that the organization can take away from the first year. "From gates open, to first pitch, to final out, the joy and appreciation from the people in the park watching Jacks baseball was very special" said Ray. "Also, a BIG thank you to our host/billet families. The players and families have created a bond and friendship that will last a lifetime". Among the biggest hurdles the team faced was getting the word out letting the city know that there was a team in town. According to Ray some fans that attended Sunday's game had just recently heard that Brandon had a team. While the organization will take today off they will back at Andrews field on Tuesday to cleanup the park and the clubhouse. Ray tells bdnmb.ca that the recruiting process for players for next season has already begun. "Some players have expressed a desire and will return, as well there will be more new faces here in Brandon in 2020". "The city, Andrews Field Management Group, and the team will work hard in the off season on our wish list for next year." Ray Walker-GM Wheat City Whiskey Jacks. Changes/improvements the club would like to make over the off-season include having  a new all-weather sound system installed,  the chain link backstop replaced, and maybe some seating improvements too. "I feel that we really made believers out of even the most skeptical Brandon sports fans. We're getting 2020 season tickets ready for on-sale later this month" concluded Walker.

Earlier tonight Hockey Canada announced that Ridly Greig and Daemon Hunt were both named to the 22-man roster for the upcoming Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Greig had an impressive rookie campaign with the Brandon Wheat Kings registering 35 points. Like Greig, Hunt recently completed his first full season in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Brandon born defensemen picked up 20 points in 57 games during the regular season. The tournament runs from Aug. 5-10 in Breclav, Czech Republic and Piestany, Slovakia. Former Wheat King (2016-18), Daniel Bukac has signed a 3-year deal to play professional hockey with Liberec (Czech Republic, Extraliga). Bukac spent two seasons with the Wheat Kings before joining the OHL's Niagra IceDogs last season. Swan River's Tristan Langan signed a one-year AHL contract for the 2019-20 season with the San Jose Barracuda. Last year, as a member of the Moose Jaw Warriors, Langan finished second in the WHL in points with 113. He scored 53 goals and was named to the WHL (East) First All-Star Team.

RANDON – The legacy of the IG Wealth Management Bobcat BIRT Cup continues to grow. The alumni and charity tournament raised $44,000 for community initiatives on Friday, July 5 at the Wheat City Golf Course. Proceeds will go towards Special Olympics Manitoba Westman, Samaritan House, the Deloraine Winchester Community Complex and the Bobcat BIRT Cup scholarship to assist Brandon University student-athletes. "The IG Wealth Management Western Manitoba Regional Office is proud to be the title sponsor of the Bobcat BIRT Cup. We applaud the tournament's commitment to providing funding to local and regional organizations," said Dennis Hunt, Executive Financial Consultant with IG Wealth Management. "We have a long-standing partnership with Brandon University, supporting a number of fundraising initiatives such as the Healthy Living Centre and growth in the BU Athletics program. We are pleased to be associated with a post-secondary institution that prides itself on being at the forefront of education in western Manitoba and providing the best student-athlete experience possible." The 2019 BIRT Cup marked the second summer it has been organized by BU Athletics with the 2018 edition collecting $29,000. The Bobcats took over from BU hockey alum Scott Hlady, who ran it independently for a decade. The BIRT name stands for Basics, Intensity, Respect, Team — an acronym coined by BU Sports of Wall of Famer the late Neil Andrews while he was Hlady's baseball coach "The Bobcat BIRT Cup organizing committee is proud to give back to worthwhile causes," said Director of Athletics and Community Engagement Russ Paddock. "We had great representation from athletic alumni and outstanding support through our positive relationships with corporate partners." The business community played significant role in the success of the tournament with 101 sponsors supporting the Bobcat BIRT Cup. The lineup of autographed jerseys was stellar featuring Mark Stone of the Vegas Golden Knights, Elkhorn's Travis Sanheim of the Philadelphia Flyers, Patrik Laine and Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets, Brandon's Matt Calvert of the Colorado Avalanche and Canada's Olympic women's hockey team. A Wendel Clark signed Toronto Maple Leafs' sweater received a winning bid of $2,000 in the silent auction by Don Jago of Southern Water Systems. Brandon's Gerry Williams was the grand prize winner of the raffle – two tickets the NHL Heritage Classic in Regina on October 26 along with hotel accommodations. New champions were crowned at the Bobcat BIRT Cup with Warren Birch, Devin Moore, Josh McMillan and Craig Ruether winning the title with a best-ball score of 19-under par. The foursome will look to defend their crown at the 2020 tournament scheduled for Friday, July 10 at the Wheat City Golf Course. (Source: BU Bobcats)