The Miniota, MB native brings 11 seasons of North American and European hockey experience to his new role as head coach of the Briercrest Clippers. Cole played 6 seasons in the WHL for the Saskatoon Blades, the Seattle Thunderbirds, and the Kootenay Ice. He went on to play in the AHL and ECHL before leaving for Europe, spending 6 years playing professionally in Slovenia, Austria, and Italy. Cole finished his last year at the professional level with the Miniota-Elkhorn C-Hawks last season. This coaching role will be Cole’s first. He accepted the position after years of contact with Jamie Ramer, Briercrest Hockey’s General Mission Manager. Cole said, “Briercrest always intrigued me as it combines two of my greatest passions: a relationship with Jesus Christ and hockey. In hindsight, I wish I had come as a player years ago.” “He brings a wealth of experience from all levels of the game,” said Ramer of Cole. “He has experienced and knows what it takes to win a championship and is a great addition to the team as we move forward as a program. It has been very encouraging to get to know Brad over these last number of years.” Cole will be coaching alongside new assistant coach Matt Melo, a Briercrest alumnus. The Clippers will hit the ice for training camp August 24th. They will host Augustana for their first regular season game on October 11th. (article submitted)

Mark Derlago is joining the Brandon Wheat Kings organization as the team's second assistant coach. The announcement was made earlier today. Derlago spent parts of four seasons with the Wheat Kings as a player before he embarked on a pro-career (North America, Asia, Europe) which lasted 12 years. It was also announced that Don MacGillivray and goaltending coach Tyler Plante would return for their fourth seasons with the WHL club. The full release can be read here.

Winnipeg, Manitoba – The Players Cup Tournament Director Adam Boge is pleased to announce that Austin Dobrescu, from Brandon, Manitoba, has been given one of six sponsor's exemptions into this years 100th anniversary event. Dobrescu, who plays out of Shilo Golf and Country Club in Shilo, Manitoba, fills a spot vacated by the 2019 Golf Manitoba Amateur Champion Colwyn Abgrall, who will be competing in the U.S. Amateur at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club. This year Austin has been in fine form, winning Golf Manitoba's Provincial Match Play championship (held at Minnewasta G&CC and Breezy Bend CC) as well as finishing runner up in the Amateur, which was played at Quarry Oaks GC. “I would like to thank the Players Cup Committee and Golf Manitoba for allowing me to challenge myself at the next level. I look forward to having this opportunity to play in this historic event, and hopefully, it will be a successful debut.” - Austin Dobrescu For 3 years, Austin competed on Chicago State University's Men Golf Team while working on his Business Management Degree, which he will graduate with this fall.  He has spent the past several summers back in Brandon working at the Wheat City Golf Club while still taking online courses from his college. This year's event will be held again at Southwood Golf and Country Club, August 15-18, 2019. For the 100th Anniversary, the event will offer free admission as well as free onsite parking at the course. To claim your free general admission pass simply go to playerscup.golf. The impact from the Players Cup will have a year long effect in the community as the event will benefit the Junior Golf Mentorship Foundation. (Article Submitted)

Sunday afternoon in Winnipeg, the Westman U12 Magic girl's softball team capped off their provincial championship title run with a thrilling 15-13 victory over the Winnipeg Lightning. The Magic went undefeated in all five of their games over the course of the tournament which spanned two weekends due to rain. Each team managed to complete the three games in their respective pools last weekend before rain forced the playoffs and championship game to be moved back a week. In today's game featuring the top seeds in each of the two pools, the Magic advanced to Sunday's final after disposing of the same Lightning club 11-4. The Lightning then went on to defeat the Smitty's Terminators later in the day to advance to the finals. All games were played at the John Blumberg Softball Complex. Team Roster: Kenzie McIntyre Kylan Solomon Naomi McKay Quincy Smith Sally Leask Sydney Sass Jersey Hansen-Young Jordan Bell Kendall Charles Callie Hilhorst Jada McMillan Ally Neufeld Coaches: Joel Charles, Jo-Anne Neufeld, Pat Leask Team Manager: Amanda Smith

Brandon, MB – Brandon Wheat Kings General Manager Darren Ritchie has announced the appointment of Dave Lowry as the Western Hockey League clubs new head coach. Lowry has an extensive coaching resume that includes experience at both the WHL and National Hockey League levels. An Ottawa, Ontario native, he has spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach of the Los Angeles Kings. Prior to joining the NHL club Lowry spent five seasons with the Victoria Royals, where he earned Coach of the Year honours on two occasions. In addition to serving as head coach for Team Canada at the 2016 World Junior Hockey Championships, he captured gold as an assistant coach in 2015. During his five years in Victoria, he led the Royals to a winning record each season and made the playoffs in all five years. Overall the team compiled an impressive 209-124-27 record with Lowry behind the bench. “We see this as a very positive step for our organization,” says Wheat Kings general manager Darren Ritchie. “Dave’s teams are always prepared, they play fast and are very competitive.” “I’d like to thank Kelly McCrimmon and Darren Ritchie for the opportunity to coach the Brandon Wheat Kings,” says Dave Lowry. “I look forward to returning to the WHL and working with these athletes, developing them as players and individuals.” Before joining the Royals in 2012, he spent close to a decade with the Calgary Flames organization in a variety of capacities, after serving as head coach of the WHL’s Hitmen in 2008-09, where he led Calgary to a 59-9-0-4 regular season record, an Eastern Conference Title and a berth in the Championship Final against Kelowna, he spent three years as an assistant coach with the NHL club. In six seasons behind the bench in the WHL, he has a career record of 268-133-31. His .659 winning percentage is among the league’s career leaders. As a player, Lowry played nineteen seasons in the NHL as a member of the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, Florida Panthers, San Jose Sharks and Flames. He scored 164 goals and 351 points and 1,191 penalty minutes in 1,084 career games. A member of the Panthers that advanced to the Stanley Cup Final in 1995, he announced his retirement in 2004. “I’m excited to get to Brandon to sit down with the Hockey Operations staff and make preparations for the 2019-2020 season,” Lowry went onto say. “My wife and I look forward to joining the Brandon community and continuing the winning Wheat Kings tradition.” Lowry and his wife Elaine have four children, daughters Sarah and Tessa as well as two sons, Adam and Joel. His son Adam is a former WHL all-star and is currently skating with the Winnipeg Jets. His other son Joel meanwhile was chosen in the fifth round, 140th overall, by the Kings in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft and recently signed with the Florida Panthers earlier this month. “We are extremely excited to name Dave our head coach,” says Wheat Kings Owner and Governor Kelly McCrimmon. “He’s a proven winner, has tremendous experience and a great reputation for developing players.” “This is a great hire for our players and for our fans,” he added. “I know Dave real well personally. I worked with him at the 2016 World Junior Tournament and I feel he embodies exactly what we want our organization to stand for.” Lowry will be in Brandon next month in anticipation of the Wheat Kings Training Camp that begins on August 28th.