The Brandon Wheat Kings selected two players during Thursday’s Canadian Hockey League’s annual Import Draft. With their first selection (22nd overall), the Wheat Kings chose 18-year old Finnish forward Marcus Kallionkieli  and in round two, they opted for Russian left-winger Vladislav Firstov (82nd overall). A 6’2” 195 lb. Helsinki product, Kallionkieli was a fifth round selection (139th overall) of the Vegas Golden Knights in last Saturday’s National Hockey League Draft. A member of the USHL’s Sioux City Muskateers this past season, Marcus scored 29 goals and 83 points in 58 games and was named to the USHL’s All Rookie All Star Team. During the 2017-18 season, he scored thirteen goals and 22 points in 29 games for SM-sarja in Helsinki. “Marcus is a really talented player,” says Wheat Kings Director of Scouting Darren Ritchie. “He’s a big body, skates well and has a heavy shot. He’s a drafted NHL player and we’re hopeful that we can get him to Brandon this season.” Firstov meanwhile was chosen by the Minnesota Wild in the second round of Saturday’s NHL draft in Vancouver and after scoring 26 goals and 58 points for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the USHL last season, the 6’1” 181 lb Russian has committed to play in the NCAA in 2019-20. “He’s an offensively gifted player,” says Ritchie. “He plays with good jump to his game and is a hard working power forward.” “Because he’s committed to the University of Connecticut, there is some work to be done on getting him here,” he added. The Wheat Kings were able to select two players in Thursday’s draft as netminder Jiri Patera, who is expected to return for his second season with the WHL club, is a 20-year old overage player. CHL clubs are permitted to carry a maximum of two imports. A sixth round draft choice of the Golden Knights, Patera became the first ever European goalkeeper to be chosen and to play for the Wheat Kings. In 48 games during the 2018-19 campaign, Patera compiled a 3.31 goals against average and a .906 save percentage for the Wheat Kings, who finished fourth in the Eastern Division with a record of 31-29-4-4. The two round draft took place online with the order of selection rotating through each of the CHL’s three leagues using an inverse order of final regular season standings during the 2018-19 campaign. Kallionkieli becomes the third Finnish born player to be selected by the Wheat Kings in the CHL Import Draft, since it was established in 1993. He joins Toni Rajala and Sami Sandel, who were chosen in the first rounds of the 2009 and 2004 drafts respectively. Six Russians have been chosen by the Wheat Kings over the years but only two have played in Brandon. Ivan Provorov was chosen 30th overall in 2014 while Andrei Lupandin was selected with the 28th pick in 1995. While Lupandin was a member of the 1996 WHL Championship Team, Provorov was instrumental in leading the Wheat Kings to the 2016 Title. Thursday’s CHL Import Draft caps off a busy week for the Whet Kings, who unveiled their 2019-20 regular season schedule on Wednesday. The Wheat Kings will kick off the regular season with a home and home series with the Winnipeg ICE, beginning Friday, September 20th at Westoba Place.

Forward Baron Thompson (99) has joined the Dauphin Kings for the 2019-20 season. Thompson had spent the past 3-seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings. His best season statistically came in 2017/18 where he totalled 26 points in 60 games. The Philadelphia Flyers have re-signed Elkhorn's  Travis Sanheim to a two-year, $6.5 million contract extension. Last season, his first full year in the NHL, he finished second on the team's defense in scoring with 35 points (9g-26a) in 82 games.

Earlier today Hockey Canada announced the roster of who will attend Canada’s National Junior Team Sport Chek Summer Development Camp. Two current members of the Brandon Wheat King's, Braden Schneider and Luka Burzan, were named among the 43 players who will take to the ice July 27 to Aug. 4 in Plymouth, Mich. From today's release: “We’re very pleased with the group that will be brought together in Plymouth,” said Shawn Bullock, director of men’s national teams. “This is a development opportunity for some of the younger athletes, and it’s a great opportunity for our coaching staff and players to start developing a solid relationship ahead of the World Juniors.” Burzan enjoyed a breakout season for the Wheat Kings in 2018/19 totaling 78 points in 68 games. Schneider picked up 24 points in 58 games while patrolling the blue-line. He is expected to be an early selection in the 2020 National Hockey League Draft.

Forwards Mason Kaspick and Drayson Collyer have both committed to the Flin Flon Bombers for the 2019/20 hockey season. This past season the duo helped guide the Brandon AAA Midget Wheat Kings to a league title. Kaspick registered 35 points in 41 regular season games. Collyer, the team's captain, appeared in 22 games and picked up 15 points. He also amassed 93 penalty minutes in those 22 games.

Friday July 26/19 Family social evening at the Kent Hotel. Meet and greet the celebrities, rainbow auction, live auction and the Calcutta. The Kent houses a huge hockey memorabilia collection and is definitely something to see. This will be an indoor/outdoor event with a live band. Saturday July 27/19 Street Hockey all day long. 4+games going simultaneously. Food Trucks and concession on site. The hockey is 4 on 4 with teams registered with 6 players including a goalie. Teams will be assigned a celebrity at the Friday Nights Kent event. There are 2 divisions: Junior (recreation)  $200 (prizes for Division Champs) Elite (competitive)  $400  (Prizes for Division Champs and $1000) Teams are to register on our website https://facingoffagainstmenscancers.ca/ or contact Jacki at 204-847-0030. This event is hosted by a group of Yellowhead Chief Alumni who are currently playing in the WHL. Dawson Barteaux       Red Deer Rebels Layne Toder                Calgary Hitmen Cole Muir                    Winnipeg Ice Parker Malchuk           Victoria Royals Chad Nychuk               Brandon Wheat Kings During the hockey season these guys put a lot of hours into volunteering for their teams. They thought that maybe giving back to their community and to such a great cause was a really good thing. Men’s cancers are something that touches everyone, and a cause near and dear to these guys hearts. CancerCare Mb Foundation with be the sole beneficiary from this event. If anyone would like to donate to this great cause, contact one of the guys via their social media, or email us at foamc19@gmail.com.