The Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) have made an announcement that the 2016/17 season would be the last for the OCN Blizzard. The Blizzard are a member of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and play out of the Gordon Lathlin Memorial Centre. They have won the Turnball Cup, awarded annually to the MJHL Champion, a total of 5-times in their 20-year existence. The Blizzard were founded in 1996 by the Opaskwayak Cree Nation near The Pas, Manitoba "The announcement comes after careful deliberations with Opaskwayak Cree Nation representatives from administration and finance, who presented recommendations to the Opaskwayak Cree Nation leadership," "Based on the information presented, the decision was made to proceed with winding down on the operations of the OCN Blizzard, announced officially on December 20, 2016." Notable alumni of the Blizzard include current Chicago Blackhawks winger Jordin TooToo and Steve MacIntyre, who played in 91 NHL games with three different teams.

Brandon Wheat King defenseman Kale Clague has been named to the 22 man roster who will represent Canada at the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships. An offensive defensemen by trade, Clague has registered 19 points in 24 games this season. He has previously represented Canada internationally at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup in 2015, where he helped Canada capture Gold in that event. The smooth skating rearguard was drafted last summer in the second round, 51st overall, by the Los Angeles Kings. This years tournament will be played in Toronto and Montreal starting on boxing day.  

Courtesy:  Brandon University News Release BRANDON - Jeremy Davies and Keisha Cox each had a November to remember and as a result the Bobcat standouts have been selected as Smitty's Sportsline Lounge Athletes of the Month. Cox helped her women's basketball team accomplish a first in their 17 years as members of the Canada West conference last month. The American import and the Bobcats picked up back-to-back wins over the UBC-Okanagan Heat for their first home-opening weekend sweep since joining the conference. The fourth-year guard got the Bobcats started on the right track by pouring in 35 points in the team's thrilling 80-78 comeback victory over the Heat to open their home schedule on November 11. In that contest, Cox scored the game-winning buzzer-beater layup to secure the win. The offensive outburst was a sign of things to come for Cox. Last Friday, she posted a career-high 37 points in leading the Bobcats to their first-ever victory over the Fraser Valley Cascades. Cox heads into the holidays sitting second in Canada West scoring with 19.5 points per-game. She also leads the nation with 195 total points. "Keisha had some big scoring games for us during that period of time and helped us pick up some wins," said coach Novell Thomas. "She is a big part of our offensive production." It is the second time that Cox has collected the monthly award after being named the top female athlete on campus last February. Cox and the Bobcats will continue their battle for a playoff spot when they start the second-half on the road against the Mount Royal Cougars on January 6. Meanwhile, Davies delivered right from the get-go with the men's volleyball team with his veteran poise setting the standard for the Bobcats' success last month. The fifth-year libero's passing and defence was key as Brandon knocked off four consecutive opponents in November. "Jeremy just played spectacular to get our season going," said coach Grant Wilson. "He provides that energy and spark that we need at times to get us going. He set the tone this past month." The monthly award is déjà vu for Davies after he earned the same honour in November of last year. This season, the Calgary, Alta. product is second in Canada West in total digs (115) and digs per-set (3.29) at the Christmas break. Davies helped the Bobcats crack the U Sport Top 10 rankings at #9 this week for the first time this season. The BU men's team finished the first-half in fourth-place in Canada West with a 7-and-3 record. The BU co-captain will lead the Bobcats into battle on January 6 when they start the second-half by hosting the Alberta Golden Bears

  June 22nd, 2017 will be the date for the upcoming Matt Calvert Charity Shootout Golf Tournament at the Wheat City Golf Course in Brandon,MB. The event will be presented by Dynamic Physio & Sports Injury Clinic together with Outperforme Athletics. I had a few minutes to speak with Matty today, as well as the Tournament Committee, regarding their plans for the first ever event. BDNMB: Matty, I have to ask the question, WHY DO THIS?- Matt: “Well, I have been thinking for a while that I wanted to give something back to the community. In Columbus we do lots including providing tickets for kids 6 and under, and their parents, to come to the ganes who couldn’t normally afford a NHL game. And I bought two season tickets for the Wheat Kings so some less fortunate kids can go to games. So this year made sense." BDNMB: Do you think the local golf tournament circuit is kind of competitive with the Birt Cup and Dreams for Kids having yearly events as examples? - Matt: “ I try to golf in as many as I can, plus I donate jerseys...they all have good causes” I have been to lots of events, and tournaments, and am taking the best ideas for our tournament. BDNMB: Who is in your committee? Matt: "Kyle Hamm – Scott “ Weird Larry” Hellyer – Spencer Day – Rob Rae – Shawna Turnbull and my wife." BDNMB: So what are the next steps? Matt: “ We are planning some live entertainment, and a comedian, for the dinner and awards that follow the round of golf...as well as right now trying to secure more sponsors” BDNMB: How do you sponsor or sign up? Matt: "Contact Kyle Hamm 204-724-7624, or Scott Hellyer 204-761-1645, and the price is $150.00 per person. Sponsor packages are now available" All proceeds raised will be donated to Palliative Care in memory of Donna Hamm and Melvin Calvert. BDNMB.CA is also proud to be a sponsor of the Matt Calvert Charity Shootout.    

Courtesy:  Brandon University News Release   BRANDON - 'Tis the season and the Brandon University Bobcats have the Christmas spirit! The Bobcats invite you to join them to bask in the glow of the sights and sounds of the holidays. Saturday, December 3 is the final game before the holiday break for the Bobcats as they host the Fraser Valley Cascades and BU Athletics is planning a pre-Christmas celebration to coincide with the contests. Fans are invited to wear their best - or ugliest - Christmas sweater to the games, and to bring a new, unwrapped toy, non-perishable food item, or other donation for Christmas Cheer and Samaritan House. Quick Facts: First 50 Brandon University students to attend wearing a Christmas sweater receive a free slice of pizza or hotdog from canteen New, unwrapped toys being collected for Christmas Cheer Non-perishable food items being collected for Samaritan House "I think it is going to be a really exciting event," said fourth-year forward Amy Williams. "Christmas is one of my favourite holidays. It is a time full of joy and happiness. I think it could be a very lively and happy event that everyone could have a great time at." "Being part of a team means contributing together to important causes," said BU President Dr. Gervan Fearon. "We can all be part of the team by coming to cheer on our BU Bobcats and contributing to Samaritan House and Christmas Cheer." BU students are encouraged to the show their holiday spirit by wearing Christmas sweaters. The first 50 students in attendance will receive a complimentary slice of pizza or a hot dog from the canteen. Jolly old St. Nicholas will also make the long trip from the North Pole to cheer on the Bobcats. Santa will also be available for photos with any young members of Bobcat Nation. "It is a cool event and hopefully we will get the chance to play in front of a lot of people, while giving back to the community at the same time," said second-year guard Josh Bell. "We want to pick up a win for our fans and support worthwhile projects in the city." The Bobcats will be lending a helping hand to the less fortunate. Samaritan House committee members will be at the games to raise awareness and collect food donations. Fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item. Samaritan House is currently serving 1,700 hampers per-month. "Everybody is a fan of the Brandon Bobcats and so are we," said Samaritan House executive director Thea Dennis. "We want to cheer everyone on and in turn have them cheer on those who are in need in our community." Meanwhile, the Brandon-Westman Christmas Cheer Registry is also taking in the contests. Organizers are in need of toys, socks, knitted items, board games, crayons, colouring books, toothbrushes and toothpaste. In the past few years, between 900-950 hampers have been prepared for families in need. "To me this is my Christmas more then actually Christmas Day," said Christmas Cheer chairperson Myrna Lane. "Our board members realize there is a need out there and we get a good feeling that we are helping someone that needs some assistance this time of the year." The women's game starts at 5 p.m., followed by the men's contest at 7 p.m on Saturday, December 3 at the Healthy Living Centre