After playing in the Latino Soccer League in Brandon for several years, Brandon’s Joel Snyder felt he could build a better mousetrap. Snyder felt playing men’s soccer on a field that was meant for kids was not acceptable. “The league was run by a dictator basically, and we are a non profit board of 8 members including myself” quoted Snyder. Some of the bigger changes for this year include: Playing each game on actual regulation adult fields Updated player stats and standings Trophies and Cash Prizes courtesy of Peak Performance MVP of the Month Award from Pizza Express Snyder also thinks some of the good young players could get CIS scholarships, and maybe even NCAA teams could come to Brandon one day. Currently there are 7 teams in the league: C.D. Honduras Cinco Estrellas Double Decker F.C. F.C. Sporting Internazionale Inspire F.C. Minnedosa Triumph Royals F.C. Locally Brandon Youth Soccer will have 950 players this summer, which is about 200 players more than Hockey Brandon, to provide an example of the size of the sport at a local level. One of the major reasons of course would be cost to play either sport. One day Joel would like to see the league have their own field, perhaps using the grounds by the Riverbank Discovery Centre. But, that is a process to be dealt with through the City of Brandon. “ Bryce Wilson at the City has been great to deal with….. we just need the land and we can do the rest” Keep track of the league by clicking on this link. http://www.leaguelineup.com/welcome.asp?url=brandonmenssoccerleague

Some of the best female hockey players in the province converged on Brandon this weekend for week 2 of the Source for Sports AAA Summer Challenge. In total 17 teams participated, in three different age divisions, held over 3-days. Over in the U10 girls final, the Girls of the North survived a late scare to defeat the Grrrowl Thunder 4-3. The Grrrowl carried a 2-1 lead into the second period before The Girls of the North erupted for 3 early third period goals. Jordyn Cooper, of the Grrrowl, scored with 13 ticks left on the clock , to narrow the gap to one, but time eventually ran out on any further comeback hopes. Makenna Williment paced the Girls of the North with 4 pts (2g,2a), while shifty Maddie Kaser chipped in with 3 pts (1g, 2a). Devyn Laba paced the The Jr. Wildcats with 2 goals, as they shutout the Southwest Blades 5-0, in the U12 final. Kasey Fouillard, Brooklyn Hramalak, and Abby McKinnon also tallied singles for the Wildcats, while Levi Derkatch & Alyssa Mattews each picked up 2 helpers. Sidney McMullan made 12 stops to earn the shutout. Earlier in the week the two teams had battled to a 3-3 draw. In the U14 final at Westman Place, Mckiya Mazur netted 2 goals, as The West toppled The SK Grrrowl 3-0. Jersey Sexton also bulged the twine for The West, who had lost to the Grrrowl 4-2 in earlier tournament action. The West followed up their opening game loss by rattling off 4 straight wins to capture the title. Geneva Penner stood tall between the pipes stopping all 21 shots she faced.

The Western Hockey Leagues Bantam Draft goes this Thursday in Calgary, with the Brandon Wheat Kings holding down the 8th overall pick. Things have been relatively quiet since the Wheat Kings were eliminated back on March the 30th, so we here at bdnmb.ca thought we would try to provide a little insight into who the Wheat Kings might target with their 1st round pick. Topping the list would have to be Winnipeg's Seth Jarvis, a 5'8”, 148 lb forward who played this season for the Rink Hockey Academy out of Winnipeg. Seth put up 66 points in 30 games, including 42 goals. He is ranked as the 5th rated prospect heading into Thursdays draft by Western Elite Hockey Prospects. Their latest newsletter suggests Seth may drop some from his top 5 ranking due to not yet having committed to the WHL, citing the Wheat King organization as having the ability to get him to select the WHL route. Seth Jarvis – Rink Hockey Academy - Elite offensive abilities, elite skill, elite competitiveness, understands the game exceptionally well and is a competitor. Seth is a student of the game who really listens to input and is constantly learning and incorporating new things in to his game. Seth could use his team-mates more and work on his play away from the puck.   Local product Daemon Hunt also has to be high on the Wheaties wish list. An offensive defensemen he registered 60 points in 38 games for the Brandon Wheat Kings, of the Winnipeg AAA Bantam Hockey League. He has been described as being both very big (6'0”, 190 lbs) and very steady. Ranked 13th overall by Western Elite Hockey Prospects, many wouldn't be surprised if the Wheat Kings jumped at the chance to land another local skater. Daemon Hunt – Brandon Wheat Kings – WPG AAA - Daemon is a big defensemen who is very patient and steady. Very solid defensively and can contribute offensively. Had a fantastic year playing in the Winnipeg AAA league by far leading all defensemen in scoring and finishing near the top overall in scoring. The thought is Brandon may select Daemon within the top 10 picks. One of the top offensive defensemen available. Other candidates for consideration in the first round could include: Joel Sexsmith, a defensemen from Edmonton, who was teammates with Seth Jarvis at the Rink Hockey Academy this season. Kyle Crnkovic, a high scoring (79 pts, 30 gms) forward out of the Pursuit of Excellence in British Columbia. Jake Neighbours, another gifted offensive forward (68pts, 30 gms) out of the Pursuit of Excellence program in BC. Manitoban's to watch in later rounds include: Ty Thorpe, forward, Brandon Jakob Brook, forward, Roblin Evan Herman, forward, Oakville, Carter Loney, forward, Winnipeg Nolan Ritchie, forward, Brandon, Landon Roberts, forward, Southwest Cougars Reese Richmond, defensemen, Forrest Bray Rookes, defensemen, Elkhorn Previous First Round Selections 2016 – D – Braden Schneider – 12th overall 2015 - F - Caiden Daley - 22nd overall 2014 – F – Stelio Mattheos – 1st overall 2013 – F – Nolan Patrick – 4th overall 2012 – F – Brayon Shmyr – 12th overall Previous 11 Bantam Drafts Average Selection – 12th overall Highest Selection – 1st in 2014 -Stelio Mattheos 8 forwards, 4 defence, 1 goalie BC – 1, AB – 5, SK – 4, MB – 4 Players eligible for the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft will be 2002 born players who reside in Alberta, BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

B.O.B.Blazers captured the division 1 title in the WWHL with a 4-1 victory over the Double Decker Celtics. Offensively the Blazers were led by power forward Jordan Kaspick who had 2 goals, and Joey Timmer who chipped in with 2 assists. Haden Johnson was the only skater to lite the lamp for the Celtics. Zack Munn picked up the win for the Blazers, who were 23-4 in the regular season. Former Wheat King Brett Kitt, a member of the Blazers championship team, was named the leagues regular season MVP. Over in the Division 3 final, Joe Beeverz received goals from five different goal scorers to topple the Central Autobody Lumberjacks 5-1. David Manns, Matt McCorrister, Kyle Hildebrant, Jordan Foote, and David Buekert scored for Joe Beeverz, while Marty Kauk scored the lone Lumberjack goal. Tyler Unger mustered 3 assists in the win. Each team registered 23 shots on goal in the chippy affair, with Brenden Reimer picking up the win for Joe Beeverz.    

It was a busy night of hockey action in Brandon as champions were decided, in two of four divisions, in the Wendy's Winter Hockey League. Over at the Sportsplex, the Smitty's Wings needed overtime to topple West-Fit 2-1, in the second game of their best of three series. With the victory the Wings captured the Division 4 title winning the series 2-0. Glen Haney opened the scoring for Smitty's in the first period before Devin Vaughn tied the game with his marker in the second. There was no scoring in the 3rd period, so off to overtime the game went. Both teams had great scoring chances in overtime before Smitty's Jordon Old broke in all alone from center ice and beat Terrance Twist, giving Smittys the title. Jeff Moore picked up the win for Smitty's making 31 saves in the process, including a breakaway attempt in the early stages of OT. Over at the Enns Brothers arena, the Sioux Valley Domino's team upended Inventors Group 7-3 to lay claim to the Division 2 title. Investors Group actually held a 3-2 lead in the 3rd period before Sioux Valley stormed back scoring 5 unanswered goals to secure the victory. Zane Tacan picked up the hat-trick for Sioux Valley while McKenna Wombadiska chipped in with 2 markers. Pat Leask had 4 assists. Brodie Workman picked up 3 points (2g,1a) for Investors Group in the loss. Sioux Valley peppered Investors Group goalie, Josh Murray, with 39 shots. Divisions 1 & 3 will be decided in games played on Friday night.