Brandon, MB – The Wheat City Whiskey Jacks, proud members of the Expedition League have confirmed the broadcast home of the team for the 2019-20 inaugural season, along with the team’s broadcast voice. The Whiskey Jacks will be carried live on internet radio station KICK FM dot CA (www.kickfm.ca), the station will carry all 64 regular season games plus the Playoffs should the Whiskey Jacks get to the post season. As well, the station will carry a daily (Mon-Fri) coach’s show featuring Whiskey Jacks Head Coach Grant Hamilton with KICK FM’s Darrell “Bones” Jones. “As an organization we’re excited to partner with KICK FM, Darrell Jones stepped up from day 1 as a supporter of the Whiskey Jacks and we’re happy to be associated with his station” said Ray Walker, General Manager of the Whiskey Jacks. It will be a very familiar voice to Brandon and area listeners when hearing the new play-by-play announcer for the inaugural season of the Wheat City Whiskey Jacks.  Bob Bruce, a long-time fixture on Brandon radio and television will slip the headset on for the 32 home games for the Whiskey Jacks. For road games, KICK FM will pick up the other team’s radio broadcast.  “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Bob, and working with him for more than 30 years. He is the consummate professional broadcaster, he will do a masterful job for our ball club this year” Walker added. The Wheat City Whiskey Jacks begin their inaugural season in the Expedition League on May 24th when they visit the Souris Valley Sabre Dogs in Minot, North Dakota.  The season opener in Brandon is Tuesday May 28th when the Whiskey Jacks host the Sabre Dogs in a home and home series. Tickets for all games are on-sale now at the Whiskey Jacks website – www.wheatcitywhiskeyjacks.com.

Twenty-six teams took to the ice this weekend in the second week of the AAA Summer Hockey Challenge. Four different age groups were represented. 2012 The Manitoba Hawks (pictured above) received hat-tricks from three different players (Rowan Whitely, Wyatt Henderson, Terrick Fry) as they cruised to a 12-5 victory over the Ice Kings. Dane Magwood (2) and Ethan St. Goddard also scored for the Hawks. Kale Nicol (4g,1a) picked up 5 points for the Ice Kings in the loss. 2010 Reid Nicol potted 3 goals and added an assist to power the 2010 Ice Kings to a thrilling 7-4 win over the Manitoba Hawks. The Ice Kings also received goals from Austin Hargreaves (2), Nash Lenton, & Carson Fowler. Cole Landreville (2), Kane Tomsic & Caden McMahon replied for the Hawks. 2009 The 2009 MB Steel received 2 goals each from Crew Elder, Dayson Martin, & Hudson Champagne as they toppled the Yellowhead Chiefs 9-3. Brody Bohemier, Ty Cowan, & Forrest Karlson chipped in with singles for the Steel. Yellowhead received goals from Grady McNish (2) and Aaron Roels. Landon McGregor picked up the win in net for the Steel. 2007 In the 2007 championship final, the Southwest Jets scored the first 3 goals of the game en route to doubling the Brandon Wheat Kings 6-3. The Jets received goals from Lynden Gould (2), Brock Hutchison, Kolten Knox, Declan Kyle, & Avery Samels. Colten Worthington, Cole Temple, & Ethan Stewart replied for the Wheat Kings.

Goaltender Urijah Moosetail, 10, will be representing Brandon this summer in the 30th annual Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament. Moosetail will be suiting up for Team Manitoba Brick at the tournament held in Edmonton each summer. The 2009 born goalie joins fellow Brandon hockey products Asher Gingras and Luke Krieser, who were both named to the team earlier in the spring. Moosetail earned his way onto the roster after he was asked to go into Winnipeg for a few tryout skates and the coaching staff like what they saw. This past season he played with the A1 Brandon Silver Knights and the 9A Brandon Wheat Kings. He lists the Chicago Blackhawks as his favourite team and Corey Crawford as his favourite goalie. When asked what he was most looking forward about playing in the tournament Moosetail told bdnmb.ca "looking forward to the competition". The Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament is among the most prestigious super novice hockey tournaments, featuring teams from across North America. Games are played at the West Edmonton Mall. Steven Stamkos, Tyler Seguin, P.K. Subban, and many other current NHL stars have played in the tournament.

Local golf courses are starting to welcome people for the 2019 season. The Wheat City Golf Course opens for the season on Tuesday, April 23. There is an 18 hole green fee Spring Special ($26) available until May 14th. Oak Island Golf Course will open on the 24th of April as well. Glen Lea Golf Course, Deer Ridge Golf Course, and the Shilo Golf and Country Club are already open for the season. Mulligans Driving Range has been open since the 13th for those looking to get in a little practice before their first round of the year.

Week 1 of the AAA Summer Hockey Challenge ended today with champions being decided in two different age divisions (2011 & 2006). Week 2 goes next weekend with the 2010, 2009, and 2007 age groups taking to the ice. 2011 Division Kellan Shtykalo scored twice to lead the Parkland Thunder (pictured above) to a narrow 6-4 victory over the Wheatland Wild. Chayce Stoski, Mattew Ducheck, Carter Smigelsky and Travis Catcheway also scored for the Thunder. Vahn Stephen, Kelson Hawreluik, Owen Light and Rylan Keith scored for the Wild in a losing cause. Zachary Carter made several key saves late to pick up the win for the Thunder. 2006 Division The Southwest Outlaws received goals from six different goal scorers en route to a 6-3 win over the Manitoba Hawks Red. Nathan Robson (1g,3a) and Sebastian Stone (1g,2a) lead the Outlaws offensively. They also received goals from Drew Shiels, Kelby Diehl, Luke Mackenzie and Jesse Brown. Braeden Lucas, Ethan Wilde, and Bronson Ross relied for the Hawks. The Hawks earned a birth into the finals after upsetting the MB Steel in one semi-final while Outlaws disposed of the Manitoba Mountain Kings in the other.