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({});    

Ever wonder where some Wheat Kings have ended up?. Here is a listing of players over the past 15 seasons and where they are currently playing in Europe, Asia or Russia. Rob Klinkhammer – 30 pts in the KHL this season http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=74647 Richard Mueller - DEL 2 in Germany http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=15254 Andrew Clark – 52 pts in top league in Austria http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=91366 Darryl Boyle – 9 pts in DEL in Germany http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=80282 Mark Derlago – 52 pts in Asia Hockey League http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=11711 Erik Christensen–19 pts playing in top league in Sweden http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=50627 Juraj Simek–11 pts playing in Top Swiss League NLA http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=10616 Mark Louis – 11 pts in England http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=73426 Peter Quenneville – 37 pts in Denmark http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=57050 Jens Meilleur – 24 pts in DEL 2 Germany http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=56601 Richard Nejezchleb – 7 pts in Czech Elite League http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=100577 Alessio Bertaggia – 14 pts in Lugano Top Swiss League http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=129783 Darian Dziurzynski – 30 pts in England http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=110235 Shayne Weibe–39 pts in Italy http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=98872 Matt McKay – 5 pts in DEL top German League http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=101599 Ty Rimmer–Italy http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=44497   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});  

Twenty year old Russian import Dima Osipov was excited today to find out that his WHL career will end in Brandon, with the Wheat Kings. The 6'4” defenseman, from Moscow, will for sure help the Wheat Kings on the blue line. Osipov attended Chicago Blackhawks camp this past summer and is currently undrafted. “I will miss Vancouver, it was a great place and I have lots of great memories...but I want to thanks Glen Hanlon (Giants GM) for everything.” "Brandon fans can expect a regular stay at home dman....and I like to protect the goalie and block shots…..defense first" Osipov said. This season he had 11 points and 39 pim's, in 42 games, with the Vancouver Giants prior to being acquired by the Wheat Kings. One interesting fact that many people do not know is that Osipov was the number 1 pick in the KHL draft in 2013. His rights are now with Sochi in the KHL. Osipov Stats (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

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."