A club with more than a century of history in the city of Winnipeg will play host to the 2019 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship, it was announced today by Curling Canada. The Fort Rouge Curling Club will host the 56th edition of the Canadian Mixed, Nov. 5-10, 2018, and it’ll be the second straight year the national four-player mixed championship has been decided in Manitoba, after Swan River staged the highly successful 2018 Canadian Mixed. “We were thrilled to have our bid accepted by Curling Canada, and I know everyone at the Fort Rouge will be working extremely hard over the next 10 months to make sure we’re ready to put on a wonderful show for the curlers and fans alike,” said Brad McLean, who will serve with Deb McCreanor as Host Committee Co-Chairs. “We love our curling at the Fort Rouge, but we also love making sure people have a good time, and I know the 2019 Canadian Mixed will have plenty of opportunities for visitors to do exactly that.” “We’re very much looking forward to working with Curling Canada in staging this important event during our 100th Anniversary season as a club,” added Jim Macgregor, president of the Fort Rouge Curling Club. “It’s going to be an exciting time for our planning committee, staff, and members as we welcome players and visitors from across our country to ‘The Home of Friendly Curling.’ ” The winner of the 2019 Canadian Mixed Championship will represent Canada at the 2019 World Mixed Curling Championship (dates, location TBA by the World Curling Federation). It will be the third time the city of Winnipeg has played host to the Canadian Mixed — in 1974 (won by Saskatchewan’s Rick Folk) and 1981 (won by Northern Ontario’s Rick Lang). Additionally, the Canadian Mixed visited Morris, Man., in 2011 (won by Prince Edward Island’s Robert Campbell), Brandon in 1989 (also won by Campbell of P.E.I.) and St. Boniface, Man., in 1968 (won by Saskatchewan’s Larry McGrath). Winnipeg has hosted a number of other major curling championships in past, including five Briers, the latest in 2008 when Alberta’s Kevin Martin won the Tim Hortons Brier while undefeated. The city also played host to the 2013 Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings. “The Fort Rouge Curling Club has an enthusiastic and engaged membership, and we couldn’t have been happier to throw our support behind its bid to host the 2019 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship,” said Craig Baker, Executive-Director of CurlManitoba. “I’m very excited to see what they put together, and I know everybody who makes the trip to Winnipeg in 2019 will be welcomed with open arms.” Manitoba teams have won eight national mixed titles, beginning with Ernie Boushy’s victory in 1964 at Toronto — the first edition of the Canadian Mixed. Boushy followed up with another victory in 1966 at Thunder Bay, Ont. Other Manitoba champions include Barry Fry in 1973 at Charlottetown, Harold Tanasichuk in 1977 at Halifax, Jim Dunstone in 1980 at St. John’s, Jeff Stoughton in 1988 at North Bay, Ont., and again in 1991 at Thunder Bay, and Sean Grassie in 2009 at Iqaluit, Nunavut. “I was delighted to learn that the Fort Rouge Club had bid for the Canadian Mixed Championship and even more delighted to learn that its bid had been approved by our championship host city selection team,” said Resby Coutts, Chair of Curling Canada’s Board of Governors. “It will be a great host committee to work with, and I know the visiting fans, players and media will be treated to a terrific show.” The Canadian Mixed Championship made its debut in Toronto in 1964 and has been won a leading 11 times by Alberta, including last season’s triumph by Mick Lizmore in Toronto. Saskatchewan is next with 10 titles. This past November, Ontario’s Mike Anderson won the 2018 Canadian Mixed in Swan River, giving Ontario its fourth national four-player mixed gold medal. The Anderson team will represent Canada at the third World Mixed Championship in mid-October (dates, location to be announced by the World Curling Federation). CBC Sports will provide live streaming coverage of the 2019 Canadian Mixed Curling Championship, through to the gold-medal game.

Here is the reality right away, the odds of playing in the NHL – WHL or NCAA from playing High School Hockey in Manitoba is very low.  From my memory the only player to move up from High School Hockey to the WHL is Brett Brooks of Winnipeg who is now playing for the U of M Bisons. However there are plenty of upsides to playing high school hockey: Affordable Limited travel Building school spirit Still playing a level of competitive hockey Dan Landry, coach at Vincent Massey, has had a decent amount of success since he has taken over the coaching tasks. BDNMB – Dan why would someone choose to play high school hockey? Dan – The ability to represent their school which is very important… the kids that play AAA Midget they don’t get to play for their school as an example.  The friendships that they make playing high school hockey lasts a lifetime.  Plus we have the chance to go on big trips like we went to Anaheim this year or Dauphin went to Texas.  That is selling feature for sure. BDNMB – You have a good handle on social media, do you think your players and family members embrace what you are doing? Dan – Yeah I think so ….. we are trying to stay as active as possible and most kids want to be involved with the polls etc. BDNMB – Do you feel some of your players, or league players, can make the jump to the MJHL? Dan – We think there is the opportunity for that but it depends on how much work they are willing to put in.  Last year we had three players from the league went to the MJHL. BDNMB – Any success stories to share? Dan – Biggest one having kids coming back and saying that I am never taken anything for granted because the kids would think that high school would be easy and just something to do.  This becomes much more than hockey.  Zach Whitecloud played at Vincent Massey after being cut from the AAA Wheat Kings twice.  He is going to play in the NHL. BDNMB – What are the costs? Dan – It costs $1,500.00 for normal fees for $750.00 a black ace (practice player) plus an additional $1,500.00 to go on our big trip. BDNMB – Do the players get any “special” treatment from their school? Dan – NO ….. zero we get no special treatment at all. We are basically not recognized by the school.  We have won three years in a row and never nominated for team of the year. BDNMB – Teams like Crocus and Dauphin have appeared to be arch rivals and in the case of a fight what happens to those players in school? Dan – Players were suspended for 3 games and nothing happened at the school level. BDNMB – What is the future of the Westman High School League? Dan – If a school wants to have a team they have to be prepared for the level or calibre.  This isn’t a recreational hockey league by any means. BDNMB – Why do this? Dan – Love for the kids ….. coached Pee Wee and Bantam and when I was 25 I got the call.  The program has really evolved over the 4 years that I have been involved. **** UPDATE some names to add to High School Alumni - Brock Nixon from Russell / WHL / CIS / EUROPE - Brandon Lockerby from Brandon / WHL - Carson McMillan from Brandon / WHL / AHL / NHL / EUROPE - Ryan Reeves from Winnipeg / WHL AND NHL

Three members of the Brandon Wheat Kings were among those named today in the NHL Central Scouting's midterm ranking of the top prospects for the 2018 NHL Draft.  Recently acquired players Luka Burzan and Chase Hartje were both listed at 89 & 181 respectively.  Second year forward Cole Reinhardt came in at 164 in North America. Reinhardt has scored 11 goals and has 17 points in 43 games this season. Other notables include defencemen Jett Woo (20th – Winnipeg, Man. / Moose Jaw Warriors) and defencemen Calen Addison (34th – Brandon, Man. / Lethbridge Hurricanes). This years draft is scheduled for June 22-23 in Dallas, Texas.  The full list can be found here.

BU hockey alum Scott Hlady founded the BIRT Cup ten years ago and handed the tournament reins over to his alma mater this past summer. The tournament raised around $65,000 in the last five years, including close to $25,000 in 2017. The Investors Group Bobcat BIRT Cup is July 13 at the Wheat City Golf Course with a portion of the profits going towards Boyd Stadium. The football fields are being built at Simplot Millennium Park. A newly established Bobcat BIRT Cup Athletic Scholarship Endowment and other local sporting groups will benefit from the funds raised. "The Boyd Stadium committee and the Westman Youth Football Association board is incredibly appreciative to be one of the recipients of this year's fundraiser tournament," said Boyd Stadium spokesperson Blaine Moroz. "This is an amazing gesture of support and helps make a home for generations of youth to grow and play sports." The tournament has new committee members, but the title sponsor remains the same with Investors Group continuing its long-standing partnership with the BIRT Cup. "Investors Group is pleased to support the Bobcat BIRT Cup," said Tim Rowan, Regional Director, Investors Group Western Manitoba office in Brandon. "The tournament's legacy will continue thanks to the efforts of BU Athletics and we are proud to be a part of it." The Bobcats are hoping to fill the tournament with familiar faces. BU Athletics has made a strong effort to cultivate alumni relationships by holding basketball, hockey and football reunions. The tournament board members are working to make the BIRT Cup a great way for Bobcat alumni to give back and re-connect. "Our goal is to make this an annual summer celebration with our alumni," said BU Athletic Director Russ Paddock. "We want former Bobcats to embrace being part of our BU family while working with the community in helping support worthwhile local causes." Team registrations are now being accepted at $600 per-foursome or $150 per-golfer. The entry fee includes supper and a post tournament reception that will be held at the Healthy Living Centre. Team registration forms can be found here. Please send registration with payment to Tyler Crayston, Brandon University Athletics, at 270 18th Street, Brandon, MB R7A 6A9 or drop off at the Healthy Living Centre (2010 Louise Avenue). More details about the reception and prizes will be announced at a later date. BIRT is short for basic, intensity, respect and team. Brandon University Sports of Wall of Famer, the late Neil Andrews came up with the acronym when he was Scott Hlady's baseball coach.

Brandon Wheat Kings News Release Brandon, MB. – As they prepare to play the Tri-City Americans in Kennewick, Washington tonight, the Brandon Wheat Kings have announced that veteran defenceman James Shearer has been named the Western Hockey League club’s new captain. One of three local products on this year’s club, the 20-year old Shearer replaces Tanner Kaspick, who was dealt to the Victoria Royals at last week’s WHL Trade Deadline. A former Manitoba Junior Hockey League Rookie of the Year, he was also a member of the 2016 Western Hockey League Championship club and is currently in his third season with the Wheat Kings organization. Selected the Wheat Kings’ McDonalds Frank King Memorial Trophy winner as the club’s Most Community Minded Player last season.  Entering tonight’s game – the first of three in three nights this weekend – the former AAA Midget Wheat King has eleven goals, 40 points and 68 penalty minutes in 138 games for the WHL club. Brandon’s alternates for the balance of the 2017-18 campaign will be defenceman Schael Higson and forwards Stelio Mattheos, Ty Lewis, Linden McCorrister and Connor Gutenberg.