This past weekend your local U14 Westman Magic Softball team traveled to Fargo ND to participate in the “A Division at the Red River Rage Tournament. The team was selected last fall from Western Manitoba that includes players from Brandon, Neepawa, Killarney, Boissevain and Newdale. The tournament comprised of 16 teams brought out the competitive success of these young ladies earning them a second place finish in the Gold Division adding to their Gold medal finish in Saskatoon.

This past weekend the Brandon Heat U16B softball team was in Steinbach competing in the Provincial Championship.  The tournament started on Friday morning and saw the Heat go undefeated in their pool for the round-robin portion which then placed them in the final 8 teams out of a total 23 teams competing (top 2 teams from each pool).  On Sunday morning they advanced to the final 4 after beating Russell 7 to 3, and then to the championship final after defeating Virden by a score of 16 to 3.  In the final game they faced the undefeated Boni-Vital East 1 team and after 7 innings, the Heat were victorious by a score of 8 to 2.  The heat advisory could very well have been for the opponents of these determined girls as they came together and showed the other teams what can happen if they underestimate the Heat

Brandon's Jaxon Jacobson was named the tournament MVP at the prestigious Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament held in Edmonton each summer.  The forward finished the tournament with 9 points in 6 games in Conference play, on the strength of 5 goals and 4 assists.  He was also named a 1st team all-star forward.  Now in it's 29th year, the tournament showcases the top 10-year old hockey players in North America.  Many players who have played in the tournament have gone on to NHL careers including the likes of Johnny Guadreau, Tyler Sequin, Dougie Hamilton and PK Subban.

The Wendy's Simmer Hockey League got underway last night in Brandon.  It's no secret that Brandon and the Westman area have produced many talented hockey players and one look at the Wendy;s Summer Hockey League rosters is a clear indication of just that.  The league boasts full time NHL players, players with minor pro experience, players who play professionally overseas, as well as may current WHL players. Nolan Patrick, Micheal Ferland, Travis Sanheim, Ryan Pulock, Cody McLeod and Matt Calvert all spent last season on NHL rosters. Players who spent last season playing professionally in European leagues include Mark Derlago, Brock Trotter and Alex Plante. Tanner Kaspick, Jayce Hawryluk, Colby Robak, Tyler Plante, James Shearer, Braylon Shmyr are among the former Wheat Kings lacing them up this summer, While the league is loaded with experienced professionals it also is an opportunity to see young, local talent who are starting to make names for themselves.  On any given night you can expect to see the likes of Daemon Hunt, Calen Addison, Morgan Geekie, and Max Paddock sharing the ice with WSHL veterans like Ryan White, Josh Elmes, and Zack Whitecloud. WSHL Rosters & Standings WSHL Schedule

Mark Derlago is off to Denmark, joining Esbjerg Enegy for a second stint.  Derlago last played for the Energy in the 2014/15 season. Andrew Clark re-signed in Austria with HC Innsbruck.  This will be Clark's third year in Austria. Josh Elmes signed again to play in the ECHL with the Rapid City Rush.  In 59 games last season with the Rush he registered 13 points.  Joining Elmes at training camp this year will be former Wheat King Quintin Lisoway and Minnedoa's Shaq Merasty.  Lisoway spent last season with the University of Manitoba Bison's hockey program wile Merasty played 28 games in the ECHL with two different teams. Forward Bradley Schoonbaert has committed to the University of Calgary Dinos.  Schoonbaert had a very productive thee seasons with the Steinbach Pistons of the MJHL.  He registered an impressive 91 points during the 2017-18 season in only 59 games.  James Shearer will join Schoonbaert in Calgary after agreeing to join the Dinos as well. Keaton Jameson has committed to play with the University of Manitoba Bisons.  The Brandon product recently completed his junior career with the Swan Valley Stampeders.