Brandon Universitry Bobcats Media Release   BRANDON - The Brandon Bobcats have doubled their chances for success at the Western Canadian University Curling Championships in Edmonton this weekend. Janelle Vachon is back for a second straight year to skip the women's team, while Shayne MacGranachan leads the men's team into westerns for the first time. "The success that the women's team had last year helped pave the way for us to get involved," said MacGranachan. "It is pretty cool to join them as Bobcats." In 2016, Vachon and her team of Kaitlyn Payette, Hayley Surovy and Camille Lough had a top-three finish at the westerns en route to placing fifth at nationals. The rink also earned individual accolades with Payette being recognized with a national sportsmanship award. "The most important thing that we learned last year was how the four of us work optimally as a team, and what it takes for all of us to get the best out of each other in every game," said Vachon. "This year we can take that and use that to our advantage in games." Vachon's 2017 schedule has been busy in the buildup towards westerns. She took part in the Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts and the Grand Slam of Curling's Canadian Open while playing second for Winnipeg's Briane Meilleur. "Both events are almost a week long and can be a lot of games," added Vachon. "You have to stay mentally and physically tough from start to finish. The events have definitely helped me work at staying mentally focused, which will be important coming into westerns as the skip." (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Meanwhile, MacGranachan's BU foursome includes Bryce Cisyk, Marc Vachon and Beau Bridgeman. "I think we are ready to go as a team," said MacGranachan. "The biggest challenge is that we do not know much about the other teams. We are as ready as we think we need to be." MacGranachan made his mark on the local curling scene by winning the Westman Junior Super League three times. In 2014, he skipped his rink to a 15-and-1 round-robin record before cruising through the playoffs with three straight wins. His resume also includes helping former world junior champion Braden Calvert capture the U18 men's provincial championship in 2013 and last year MacGranachan made his debut at the Viterra Men's Provincial Curling Championship with veteran skip Terry McNamee. "I have played in a handful of provincial championships before, but I have never been outside the province to play," added MacGranachan. "We are looking forward to it." BU has a proud curling history with Mike McEwen winning a national university title in 2002 and a gold medal at the World University Games in 2003. Last fall, McEwen was enshrined into the BU Sports Wall of Fame and he followed up his induction by capturing a second straight Manitoba title to book his spot in the Brier. Our current Bobcat teams are trying to follow in McEwen's university footsteps by reaching the U SPORTS-Curling Canada Championship in Thunder Bay from March 18-22. Both BU rinks will need a top-two finish in the four-team field at westerns to qualify for nationals. "We would love to get one of those spots. Two spots with four teams gives us a fairly good chance and then we get to travel in the other direction," added MacGranachan. The Bobcats are going up against the Alberta Golden Bears/Pandas, the Regina Cougars and the Lethbridge Pronghorns at the westerns with the championship running Friday through Sunday. Our men's curling roster and schedule can be found here, while the roster and schedule for the BU women's rink can be found here.    

Brandon Wheat Kings Media Release Brandon, MB. – In celebration of the hockey club’s 50th Anniversary in the Western Hockey League, the Brandon Wheat Kings are excited to announce plans for their third and final Special Theme Jersey Night of the 2016-17 campaign. The defending WHL champions, in association with the Brandon Rotary Club Westman Foundation, have announced that on Friday, March 3rd against Calgary, the Wheat Kings will be taking to the ice wearing one of their most popular jerseys in franchise history. The jerseys, which were worn at the turn of the Century by such stars as Ryan Craig, Tim Konsorada and Lance Monych, will be auctioned off throughout the game in support of the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex. During these years, the Wheat Kings captured back to back Eastern Division pennants and wound up losing to Red Deer in the Conference Final. The primary color of the March 3rd jersey will be black with the distinctive gold wheat sheaves dominating both arms and trim. In addition to the auction, fans attending the March 3rd game will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win a number 22 jersey, featuring the name bar of current Chicago Blackhawk right-winger Jordin Tootoo. “We want to thank both the Wheat Kings and the Rotary Club of Brandon for their ongoing support of our project,” says Committee Member Brett Turner. “All of the new diamonds on our new facility will be in use this summer and everyone’s support of this jersey auction takes us closer to building the next phase of our project.” Fans can place a reserve bid in advance of Friday’s game by calling (204) 725-1909. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Friday’s game will be the third Theme Jersey night to be hosted by the Wheat Kings this season. Earlier this year, the hockey club wore special theme jerseys and helped to raise over $30,000 in donations for Brandon and District United Way and Westman Dreams for Kids Foundation. While proceeds of the jersey auction will be going to Softball Complex, located north of McGregor Avenue in Brandon, this game has been made possible through the support of the local Rotary club and Spokesman Allan Little says that serving the community is what they’re all about. “The Rotary Club of Brandon and the Rotary Club Westman Foundation are proud supporters of this complex,” says Little. “The total rotary commitment to this project is $100,000 over five years. We are pleased to report that we are ahead of schedule on our commitment.” “We’re also honoured to be a part of the Wheat Kings’ 50th Anniversary season,” he went on to say. “Of the many jerseys worn by the Wheat Kings in the past fifty years, this one has to be among my favorites,” says Wheat Kings’ Director of Business Operations and Sponsorship Rick Dillabough. “Thanks to the local Rotary Club, our fans will have the chance to look back and remember when guys like Tootoo, Craig and Konsorada were leading the Wheat Kings.” “Helping to raise proceeds for an exciting project like the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex is an added bonus to be sure,” he went on to say. For more information on Friday’s plans, you can email ashleyneufcomplex@live.ca. Over $40,000 was generated during last year’s theme jersey auctions, benefiting the United Way and Canadian Cancer Society. On the ice, the Wheat Kings close out a 4-game road trip Tuesday night in Swift Current, before returning home to host Lethbridge on Wednesday. Tickets to all remaining home games in March, including Friday’s against the Hitmen, are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office. Fans can also order online at keystonecentre.com or by calling (204) 726-3555. ABOUT THE ASHLEY NEUFELD SOFTBALL COMPLEX: The Westman Softball Association along with the Westman Adult Orthodox Leagues, Brandon Slo-Pitch League and the Westman Old-Timers have undertaken a project to build a new softball facility in the City of Brandon. This project will address the growing need for ball diamonds in the city, replace facilities recently lost, provide safe playing conditions, provide a venue to host tournaments, Provincial, Western and National championships as well as increase economic benefits for the community through additional softball events. ABOUT BRANDON ROTARY CLUB WESTMAN FOUNDATION INC.: Provide funding to registered charities and other not for profit organizations, in support of youth, health and humanitarian causes. Receipt of funds to grow the foundation from the parent organization and other interested parties.  

The buzz around Canadian Wrestling's Elite is at all time high fresh off the highly successful New Heights Tour and the organizations first wrestling convention last night. In line with the huge success of the Legends of Wrestling Convention, CWE has finalized a deal that will have the 8th Anniversary Tour headlined by the man who headlined the first ever WrestleMania, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff! It was with much disappointment that Paul Orndorff wasn't able to make the convention yesterday due a travel documentation issue but that is being corrected and he will be making it up in a big way over SIXTEEN events across 4 Canadian provinces April 21st-May 6th! This will be "Mr. Wonderful's" first international wrestling tour since he was an active wrestler over 25 years ago, and although he is no longer wrestling and just making an appearance, he made it very clear to management that he is still the toughest SOB the business has ever seen. If anyone thinks they will be making a name for themselves at his expense they will have another thing coming much like Hulk Hogan did with The Great Betrayal over 30 years ago! On top of making a special appearance on the event "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff will be participating in a very special meet and greet session prior to the event allowing fans the opportunity for pictures and autographs with the WWE Hall Of Famer! See "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff on the following events, Apr 21st- Prince Albert, SK Apr 22nd- Saskatoon, SK Apr 23rd- St. Albert, AB Apr 24th- Red Deer, AB Apr 25th- Calgary, AB Apr 26th- Medicine Hat, AB Apr 27th- Regina, SK Apr 28th- Moosomin, SK Apr 29th- Yorkton, SK Apr 30th- Virden, MB May 1st- Reston, MB May 2nd- Souris, MB May 3rd- Brandon, MB May 4th- Gladstone, MB May 5th- Winnipeg, MB May 6th- Thunder Bay, ON Stay tuned for upcoming announcements for the 8th Anniversary Tour including the return to CWE of two active Ring Of Honor superstars! For full tour information stay posted to www.cwecanada.ca   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});    

The Waskada & Area Recreational Centre will be hosting a Sports Dinner Fundraiser on Saturday, March the 18th. Tickets are only $75.00 and include a prime rib supper. They will have some great auction items available including: Patrick Laine and Blake Wheeler jerseys, as well as a WestJet travel package. Reggie Leach, who played in 924 NHL games over his career, will be on-hand signing and selling his book 'The Riverton Rifle: My Story―Straight Shooting on Hockey and on Life'. Joining Reggie at this year's event will be his son, Jamie Leach, who played in the NHL for parts of 5 seasons, winning the Stanley Cup with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992. Proceeds from the evenings events will go towards the completion of the waiting room and the bleachers. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});    

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({});