The South East Prairie Thunder will be looking to represent Manitoba at the Allan Cup, a trophy awarded annually to the national senior amateur men's ice hockey champions. Once again their roster is loaded with names familiar to hockey fans both in Brandon, and the Westman region. Among those listed on the roster: Andy Zulyniak, Reid Gow, Tyler Dittmer, Matt Lowry, Paul Ciarelli, Dylan Kelly, Del Cowan and Terry Yake. Their Manitoba opponent is the Île-des-Chênes North Stars, who also feature a few former Wheat Kings, and names familiar to those who follow senior hockey in the province. Daniel Tetrault, Darren Bestland, Aaron Lewadniuk, are all former Wheat Kings listed on the Stars roster. Killarney's Isaac Friesen, Portage's Tanner Waldvogel, and Neepawa Natives assistant coach Ryan Menei also appear on the North Stars roster. The Thunder currently lead the Île-des-Chênes North Stars 1-0, in the best of five series. The winner of this series moves on to play the Rosetown Redwings, for the Rathgaber Cup, and a birth into the Allan Cup Hockey Tournament. One-time Wheat King forward Derek Leblanc leads a Redwings team, a team that is scheduled to host the Allan Cup in 2018. Game Schedule: Mon Feb 201:15 PM Île-des-Chênes 6 vs South East 8 Sun Feb 26 4:30 PM South East vs Île-des-Chênes Sun Mar 5 7:00 PM Île-des-Chênes vs South East Sun Mar 12 2:00 PM South East vs Île-des-Chênes If Needed TBA Île-des-Chênes vs South East If Needed To follow the action the week of the Allan Cup tournament please visit: http://www.allancup.ca/. This year's tournament will be played in Bouctouche, NB from April 10-15.   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});    

Jordy Stallard won't play again this season for the Prince Albert Raiders. Stallard, a Winnipeg Jet draft choice, had shoulder survey following an injury on January 22 in Calgary against the Hitmen. He had registered four goals, and three assists, in his last four games before the injury cost him his season. One time Wheat King prospect, Brad Goenthals has made the decision to leave the Everett Silvertips hockey club for personal reason. The Île-des-Chênes, Man product had 6 points in 23 games for the Tips, after leading the Manitoba AAA Midget League in scoring last season with 74 points for the Eastman Selects. The Penticton Vees have two players with ties to the Wheat Kings on their roster. Duncan Campbell, joined the Vess following his release by the Wheat Kings, has 24 points in 34 games to date. Elkhorn product, Taylor Sanheim has mustered 8 points in 13 games. Sanheim once had a tryout with the Wheat Kings.   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});     Tanner Jago has 10 points as a defensemen for the Bentley University Falcons of the Atlantic Hockey Association. He is joined on the Falcons back-end by Elkhorns Brett Orr who has 14 points in his first season with Bentley. Zack Whitecloud, who spent two full seasons with the Virden Oil Capitals, has skated in 34 games for Bemidji State this season. He has registered 13 points in his rookie season with the Beavers. The South East Prairie Thunder will be looking to represent Manitoba at the Allan Cup and once again their roster is loaded with names familiar to hockey fans in Brandon, and the Westman region. Among those listed on the roster: Andy Zulyniak, Reid Gow, Tyler Dittmer, Matt Lowry, Paul Ciarelli, Dylan Kelly, Del Cowan and Terry Yake. The Thunder are scheduled to play the Île-des-Chênes North Stars for the right to represent Manitoba. The North Stars roster is usually filled with players with ties to Brandon as well, however their roster has yet to be released.   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

Ciurtesy:  Brandon University Bobcats BRANDON - The Brandon Bobcats have landed a talented recruit from the prairies with a powerful story to tell. Travis Walls is from Wakaw, Sask., which can be found roughly halfway between Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Volleyball roots run deep in the community and Walls was introduced to the sport at a young age. "Our girls team is always winning or at least medalling at provincials. When I was growing up my mom would always get a member of the team to come and babysit," said Walls. Once Walls got his chance to hit the floor he flourished. The six-foot-three outside hitter helped his team to a second-place finish at the 3A Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association championship in 2015. He also earned the opportunity represent his province at the National Team Challenge Cup where Walls caught the eye of Volleyball Canada. Following the tournament, he was invited to compete in the Youth National Development Program. "That experience was important and it helped me realize that I was on the same page as the other top players in my age group," added Walls. "I never would have expected that." An unexpected health scare that winter blindsided Walls. It started as a case of strep throat and turned into rheumatic fever that damaged the valves of his heart. "It was super shocking to go from playing to not at all," recalled Walls. "Do not take any day for granted because things can change that quick." Walls was forced to the sidelines until his condition improved and that included missing the Canadian Club Championship in Saskatoon in May 2016. "Watching my team from the bench was just devastating," said Walls. "I really wanted to be out there with them." In July, he received the go-ahead to resume training in preparation for his final year of high school. Walls would still need to undergo surgery to clear up the lingering effects that the rheumatic fever had on his heart, but that was put off until the end of the volleyball season. "It definitely crossed my mind that my volleyball career might be over," said Walls. "There were some sad moments for sure, but getting back on the court changed all that." Photo:  BU Bobcats Walls did not miss a beat once he got back into action. He was named an all-star at a high profile tournament in Saskatoon where he guided his Wakaw/Bellevue/Vonda Tropics to a bronze medal. At provincials, Walls and his team reached the championship final for the second straight year and secured another silver medal. Brandon coach Grant Wilson was impressed with Walls' quick turnaround despite all the adversity he has faced. "If you look at what he has done over the last year and a bit and he has not been at 100 percent health. We like to think that since his surgery he is going to get healthier and continue to develop his game and only get better," said Wilson. "His physical demeanor on the court is really positive and he plays the game with a smile on his face and enjoys every minute of it. He just seems to have the confidence that you need to succeed regardless of the situation." With the addition of Walls, the Bobcats recruiting class currently stands at two prospects with both being Saskatchewan standouts. He joins Carter Brodner of Regina as newcomers to the program for 2017-18 and Walls cannot wait to get started. "I cannot even describe how happy I am going to be to wear the Bobcat jersey," said Walls. "It was super exciting to sign because after going through all this I did not even know if I was going to get the chance to play again. Being with the Bobcats is just unbelievable."

The curtain will come down on the BIRT Cup celebrity pro-am golf tournament this summer and organizers are preparing for a solid sendoff. “After nine years of supporting our community we are proud to announce that our tenth anniversary will be a celebration and thank you to our supporters,” said tournament president Scott Hlady. Investors Group, for the fourth straight year, will be the title sponsor for the highly successful tournament that runs July 14 at the Shilo Golf and Country Club. “It is emotional to see how far this event has come in the last four years and Investors Group has been there every step of the way,” added Hlady. “The BIRT Cup has become a staple event at Shilo and that is a credit to the tremendous people who work there.” After players complete their round of golf, a windup social will be held at the Royal Oak Inn & Suites where Canadian Celtic rockers Mudmen will perform. Their 20th anniversary will be celebrated in 2018 and they have a long list of accomplishments. The major career highlights for the band include meeting and performing for Queen Elizabeth II on Canada Day at Parliament Hill in Ottawa, performing at the 1984 Edmonton Oilers reunion and playing on the new CBC Hockey Night in Canada theme song. Back in 2010, they made the trip to Brandon to play at the prestigious Memorial Cup that the Wheat Kings hosted. In the past, they have opened for legendary bands like ZZ Top and The Guess Who. “Mudmen’s resume speaks for itself and to have them hit the stage for us is a major feather in our cap,” added Hlady. “It is a fitting sendoff for the legacy the BIRT Cup has left in Brandon.” The BIRT Cup picked up major momentum four years ago, raising around $40,000 for local charity, including $15,000 last year. “We are lending a helping hand, while making sure those who have supported us along the way feel a great appreciation,” continued Hlady. “Without the community’s support, we would not be where we are now.” For more information, please contact: Scott Hlady, BIRT Cup president Phone: (204) 573-4242 E-Mail: birtcup@gmail.com Twitter: @BIRTCUP  

Ryan Pilon, who left the Brandon Wheat Kings for personal reasons in September of 2015, is back in Brandon playing hockey. The defensemen is lacing them up this weekend with the Southern Saskatchewan Rez Kings, in the senior hockey division of the Dakota Nation Winterfest hockey tournament. Pilon, drafted by the New York Islanders in the fifth round of the 2015 NHL draft, scored a goal in his teams victory on Friday night over the Norway House Bruins. Joining Pilon on the Rez Kings roster is a number of former WHL players including: Jon 'Nasty' Mirasty, Derek Parker, and Dustin Perillat.     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});