BRANDON - The Brandon University Bobcats are preparing to perform in front of jam-packed crowds this week as our volleyball and basketball teams host matinee Canada West games at the Healthy Living Centre. Close to 3,000 students and staff from over 40 schools across western Manitoba will be cheering on the Bobcats when they battle the Regina Cougars on Thursday for volleyball followed by basketball on Friday against the MacEwan Griffins. "I do not think we expected this type of overwhelming response from the schools in the area," said BU Athletic Director Russ Paddock. "We appreciate their strong support and we cannot wait to put on a great show for the students and staff." The Bobcats have re-captured lightning in a bottle following the highly successful School Program Initiative as part of last spring's national women's volleyball championship. Last March, around 1,800 students from over 30 schools attended the tournament. "I have never played in front of a crowd like that before, that is going to be a lot of screaming kids. It will be a unique atmosphere and it is something that we are looking forward to," said fourth-year outside hitter Matt Powell. "Just going off of the women's nationals last year, the house was rocking and we are excited to experience that again." "I went to school in Brandon and we came to Bobcat games when I was younger and it was pretty exciting. You looked up to the BU student-athletes as role models and it is crazy to think that it has come full circle for me, as now I am a Bobcat," said fourth-year forward Stephanie Hunter. "Hopefully we can be good role models for them on the court and give them a good game." Sunrise Credit Union, Redfern Farm Services, Volleyball Manitoba and Basketball Manitoba partnered with the Bobcats on this season's project, which also includes an educational component with schools touring the campus before game time. "Team sports are exciting entertainment and engagement for the entire community, especially when our BU Bobcats are involved. It is made all the better with an enthusiastic crowd adding to the powerful atmosphere and helping to motivate the athletes," said BU President Dr. Gervan Fearon. "It reminds me that we are all part of many teams - Bobcats, Team BU and Team Brandon. We all benefit from the support and encouragement by others so let's all come out to cheer them on! It can be contagious, and I'm looking forward to an energetic and enthusiastic crowd as well as great team play this week." Thursday's volleyball matches are at 12 p.m. and 1:45 p.m., while the basketball games are at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. on Friday. Earl Oxford, Ecole Harrison, George Fitton, J.R. Reid, Kirkcaldy, Linden Lanes, Meadows, New Era, Valleyview and Waverly Park are attending from Brandon, while the rural schools include Alexander, Binscarth, Birtle, Carberry, Douglas, Elkhorn, Elton, Erickson, Forrest, Gladstone, Glenboro, Goose Lake, Hartney, Holland, Hamiota, Major Pratt, Miniota, Minnedosa, Notre Dame, Oak Lake, Onanole, Pierson, Pilot Mound, Reston, Rivers, Shoal Lake, Souris, Strathclair, Treherne, Virden and Wawanesa. "What a great opportunity the Bobcats and Brandon University are providing our students," said Carberry Collegiate principal and Bobcat hockey alumni member Bruce McCallum. "Being able to watch high-level volleyball and basketball and have the opportunity to tour the campus and get a sense for what BU can offer is a very valuable experience for our students." "I think being able to showcase what Brandon University has to offer to younger students is going to be a positive for us" added Powell. "We can show them how high a level Canada West is and that is going to be huge for us. It will help our program for the future in trying to bring potential student-athletes to our university."  

Local hockey standout, Clarke Caswell, has been invited to participate in the 2017 Belfry Hockey Network Training-to-Game Festival taking place in Richmond, BC from March 16-19, 2017. The camp is for the top 2006 North American born players focusing on “transfer to-game-skills that will become a part of the player’s core habits.” The invite only camp is run by Darryl Belfry, who is currently a Player Development Consultant with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Belfry has a long list of clients including Sidney Crosby, Patrick Kane, and John Tavares that he has worked with in the past. Clarke was hand selected to participate in this year’s event, which is being held at the Richmond Ice Center, along with 59 other participants. He is currently a member of the Brandon Wheat Kings Pee Wee AA team where he leads his league in scoring with 34 points, in 18 games played. This past July, Clarke was named the MVP of the prestigious Brick Hockey Tournament held annually in Edmonton each summer. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

A huge wrestling convention featuring the Legends Of Wrestling, and other professional sports athletes, is set to take place in Winnipeg on Saturday, February the 18th inside the Holy Cross Gymnasium Hall (290 Dubuc St.). The event is being promoted by CWE Wrestling and is the first of it's kind to be held in Western Canada. The convention is a great way to allow fans a special once in a life time opportunity to meet some of their long time favorites in both professional wrestling, and professional sports athletes, under one roof. The guest list is loaded with many of the top wrestling superstars of the past including: Ricky Steamboat, Paul Orndorff, Bobby “The Brain” Hennan, Arn Anderson & Tully Blanchard. Former WWE ring announcer Howard Finkel will also be on-hand, and for only $20 you can provide him, your weight, hometown, and name and he will perform an introduction for you as a video clip on your personal device. Trevor Jahns, a huge wrestling fan from Rivers, is excited or the opportunity to meet Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat. “I grew up watching wrestling on TV like practically every other Canadian kid” Trevor told bdnmb.ca. “Ricky Steamboat has to be considered one of the greatest of all time...and he is known for having some of the most amazing matches ever on PPV” said Trevor. Sports stars participating in the days activities include one-time NHL goaltender Trevor Kidd and former Winnipeg Blue Bombers Chris Walby, Troy Westwood, and Brett MacNeil. Event information is as follows, Saturday February 18th- Winnipeg, MB Location: Holy Cross Gymnasium Hall (290 Dubuc St.) Time: 10am-8pm Tickets: $10 in advance, $13 at the door. Advance Tickets Available at: Rudy's Video (668 Sheppard St.), Blade Hair Design (3-1341 Henderson Hwy), Video 1001 (576 Mountain Ave) Purchase tickets online at cwetickets.com   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});  

Winners of the previous three Dakota Nation Winterfest Senior Hockey Tournaments, the Norway House Bruins are returning for 2017 looking to add another trophy to their ever expanding trophy case. Goaltender Edward Sonny Albert tells bdnmb.ca that in order to defend the Bruins will have to do the little things right...things that they as a team communicate about each year year. This year they plan on returning a majority of the same roster that they have iced in previous Winterfest tournaments. While some teams load up, or rely heavily on imports to fill their respective rosters, the Bruins roster is comprised primarily of Norway House Band Members (80%). Offensively the Bruins are lead each year by forwards Skyler Tait-Reaume, Myles Stevens and Kevin Braun. Roy Ettawacappo and Brent Wilson anchor a stingy Bruins defense, while Sonny Albert is as solid a goaltender you will find in the tournament. Veteran referee Ernest Elder said that he appreciates the style of play the Norway House Bruins bring to the rink each game. “They're a fast team, their power-play is really dangerous and they play a hard-nosed brand of hockey” said Ernest from his home in Gladstone. Depending on the availability of players the Bruins try to play in at least 5 tournaments each season, focusing primarily on the larger tournaments. Hopefully, if the timing is right, they would like to find time get into a few more tournaments this season. First up will be defending their title, and taking home the $15,000 first place prize money, during the 2017 Dakota Nation Winter Fest. This years tournament will be held January 27-29 inside Westman Communications Group Place.   Members of the Norway House Bruins celebrate their 2016 win.

A former member of the Yellowhead Chiefs, Shaq Merasty, has been named to the roster of Men's Team Canada which will compete for the 2017 ISBHF World Ball Hockey Championship in Pardubice, Czech Republic. Not bad for a player who never played competitive ball hockey until 2014, when he was introduced to the sport by a few buddies that he had played ice hockey with before. Born in Thompson, and raised in Minnedosa. Shaq has always been a gifted ice hockey player, having spent time with both the Yellowhead Chiefs of the MMHL, and with the Portage Terriers of the MJHL. He now has been a member the University of Manitoba Bison's hockey program for the past 3-seasons. His best year in the MJHL came in 2011-12 where he registered 60 points in only 38 games. For Shaq this will mark his first time representing Canada in International competition. He first heard that he had made the team in the middle of October when he received a call from from the GM of Team Canada, Jeff Dzikowicz. Initially, he shared the news with some members of his family, and his girlfriend, before the final roster was named at the beginning of December. Shaq tells bdnmb.ca that the biggest adjustment from ice hockey to ball hockey is the incorporation of a floating blue line: meaning once the attacking team takes the ball over the defending teams blue line they have zone possession, and the blue line moves essentially to the red line creating a much bigger offensive zone When asked what he was most looking forward to about representing his country Shaq said “I'm most looking forward to the atmosphere of the fans playing in the Czech Republic...I have heard from other players who have played at worlds before and they say attendance is very high at these events.... also the chance to play against the best ball hockey players in the world”. Five other Manitobans also were named to the final roster including Dererk Gingera, Dustin Kelly, Remi Laurencelle, Kevin Marchuk and goalie Kyle Mcholm. One of team Canada's assistant coaches is Ray Cook who is also the Team Manitoba ball hockey head coach. The tournament will be held from June 1st – 11th, 2017 in Pardubice, Czech Republic.   Shaq Merasty (right)