GOALTENDERS Michael Hutchinson - D Some would say 77 games is not enough to pass judgement on any player, let alone a goalie, but I’ve made my decision.  He gives up the same weak goals that he always has since he first broke into the league.  Even if he does improve, it’s very difficult picturing him as a starter on a contending team.  I’d move on. Connor Hellebuyck - C He’s been perhaps better than this, but the Jets need him to be an A in order to win, at least, half of their games.  His last two or three appearances have been encouraging, like Hutchinson, he has the propensity to give up the worst goals at the worst times (see the final minute against Washington this week). I’ve heard a few say that Ondrej Pavelec should be brought back from the minors to help out, but that’s no different than playing Hutchinson every other game.  I’m not in favor of bringing up Eric Comrie either.  It’s time to look outside the organization.  Jaroslav Halak is available and he has a track record of stealing games, which is what this team could use.  I’m not saying he’s a long term answer, but this is a playoff team with a netminder who plays like a top 10 NHLer. DEFENSEMEN Dustin Byfuglien - C I want to give him a D, but that’s harsh.  He plays a ton of minutes and hasn’t been bad.  The grade is more a reflection of his new contract and the fact if he’s being paid like a top player, he should play like one.  Nevertheless, he hasn’t had a game yet where you can sit back and say he was the best player on the ice. Tyler Myers - C I’m not an analytics guy.  For the most part, the numbers skew values and the sport nerds don’t actually watch games.  They just rely on analytics.  Myers is Exhibit A as to why I’m right.  When he was in Buffalo, it was determined he was the worst player in the NHL. The first 3-4 games this year made me wonder if maybe I should jump on the analytics train myself as he was pretty bad.  But, he got it together and was playing extremely well before getting injured.  Who knows how long he’s out?  Media doesn’t do any investigative work anymore so your guess is as good as mine. Tobias Enstrom - B Enstrom is a guy that when things are going well on the blueline, fans want him traded.  I’m assuming it’s because he’s paid fairly well; but doesn’t stand out.  He doesn’t hit anyone.  He doesn’t put up a ton of points.  He’s not flashy.  He’s not physical.  A closer look, though, indicates he is extremely steady.  Makes a good first pass.  He can play on either special team and when Byfuglien and Myers are experiencing peaks and valleys to their game, it’s Enstrom who’s the most reliable. Josh Morrissey - A His final year of major junior and his first year of minor pro had me thinking this guy has bust written all over him.  Trouba sits out, the door opens for Morrissey because, well frankly, they didn’t bother looking around the league to add anyone; and I assumed this was going to be nothing short of a disaster.  Instead, he’s a top pairing guy with only ten games of experience.  He matched up against Ovechkin this week and looked better than many who have ten years experience.  I’m going out on a limb here:  Morrissey will be everything we expected Trouba to be and then some. Paul Postma - C How do you give a failing grade to a player who is in the NHL but shouldn’t be?  Postma is the perfect number six defenseman for a team that is going nowhere and has no depth.  He can play the position without offering any value.  The mistakes are limited and you can’t afford to play him too much. Ben Chiarot - C When Chiarot first surfaced a couple of years ago, I thought the Jets had themselves a jewel.  Unheralded without much of an offensive upside, Chiarot looked like one of those guys who would be a better NHLer than he was a junior or minor pro player.  Yet, here we are two years later and he hasn’t improved at all and he’s the worst minus on the team.  If you are a contending team, he’s not part of your top six. Mark Stuart - C A perfect 7th defenseman.  He is an older guy who can be a mentor and has been through the trenches.  If you have to play him every night, and the Jets do, you are in trouble.  Problem is that Stuart, like Myers, is now also injured so he can’t even fill in. Contrary to popular belief, the Jets do not miss Trouba at all.  What they do miss is a guy like Trouba who can step in and be a top four blueliner.  Winnipeg is, woefully, thin at the position and when Kris Russell and Dennis Seidenberg sat all summer, eventually, signing for very reasonable contracts; one has to wonder where Kevin Cheveldayoff was for four months.  He had to know this Trouba matter was going to boil over and he wasn’t going to start the year.  This right-shot, left-shot issue we hear so much about now is also overblown.  This unit needs help and only their GM can provide it.  Guys in the minors (Melchiori, Kichton, Kostalek, etc. aren’t the answer). FORWARDS Blake Wheeler - C He was electric for the first four or five games, but has tailed off.  The new captain is still dangerous from anywhere on the ice; but the Jets need him to put up a point per game and be their best forward if they are to win with any consistency. Mark Scheifele - B His progression to being a legit NHL star continues.  Scheifele has been Winnipeg’s most productive forward this season; but he’s still under a point per game so I can’t give him an A.  Injuries to the support cast has allowed other teams to focus on shutting him down and not having to worry about the other lines. Patrick Laine - B- He has an incredible release and there are times when he brings you out of your seat.  There are other times you forget he’s playing and he disappears for really long stretches.  It’s not fair the Jets need him to be a top six guy immediately, but those are the breaks. Joel Armia - A The one forward who has exceeded expectations and it’s too bad he got injured last night because you got a sense he was turning the corner to cementing a role as a top six player.  Nobody appears to work harder and he is also a big reason why the penalty kill has improved dramatically from last year. Nikolaj Ehlers - C Again, probably not fair to him that the Jets need him to be a 25-30 goal man as he’s only in his second year and I’m seeing the same kind of progression with him that I saw in Scheifele. Nevertheless, he’s been inconsistent with his presence and, sometimes, he doesn’t look hard enough to play against.  Then there are other times, he ends up blocking shots and is very sound. Adam Lowry - B- Great rookie year, terrible sophomore year, and so far in year three I find him to be in between the two seasons.  Maurice seems to want him to be their go-to face-off man and the results are mixed, at best.  The offense seems to be maturing a little, however. Shawn Matthias - B This is who every team should want as their fourth line centre.  He can do a bit of everything, including move up and be a top nine, or even top six when injuries strike.  Unfortunately, he’s been struck with an injury so he can’t fill in for anyone above him. Kyle Connor - C If it was up to me, I’d send him back to the major junior ranks (I realize he came from the NCAA, but I think a full season of junior would benefit him).  However, he was on the top line last night and Holtby had to make a huge save on him late in the third.  I don’t know how he helps you if he’s not scoring and expecting him to score as a rookie is asking for too much. Mathieu Perreault - D He hasn’t been good at all.  One goal in eleven games and he’s normally a top six guy even when everyone is healthy.  Last night against Washington, he got hurt too and the severity is unknown.  If he’s out for any prolonged length of time, his spot could be in jeopardy if Copp or Dano step up and show something. Brandon Tanev - B What’s not to like about a fourth line guy who knows he’s a fourth line guy and works his tail off every time he’s on the ice?  He’s going to eat minutes and shouldn’t ever cost you anything.  That’s his value. Chris Thorburn - C In this day and age, I’m not really sure why you would employ an enforcer.  Thorburn is good at his job, but I’d argue the job is extinct.  What you need now is a guy who can do what Thorburn does, but also score points so that he’s not one dimensional. Drew Stafford - D They miss him being out of the line-up and they missed him when he was in the line-up too.  No goals in six games for a guy who should be an automatic 20 goal performer.  Let’s hope he can get healthy (again, no clue as to how long he’s going to be on the shelf) and return to the form we saw for a year and a half. Bryan Little - Inc He played one period and scored a goal.  The magnitude of his loss can’t be overstated.  He’s Winnipeg’s top face-off man and number one centre, with all due respect to Scheifele.  Little does everything well and when he’s in the line-up you take him for granted.  But, he’s been hurt now for over half a season and his absence has made many realize just how valuable he, truly, is. Alexander Burmistrov - F I’m not sure why they continue to pencil him into the line-up on a nightly basis. Surely, there is someone with the Moose who can do what he does, only better.  Even last night he was killing penalties and refusing to shoot the puck deep.  Don’t orget, this was Cheveldayoff’s answer for allowing Frolik to hit free agency and go elsewhere.  Yikes. When healthy, I like the make-up of the forwards; but as I sit and write this the reare no fewer than five of them in sick bay with no clear cut timetable on any of them (except maybe Little, end of November) to return.  Copp and Dano have, suddenly, become very important pieces and they contributed a goal in the third-period uprising last night.  I’m encouraged by what’s on the farm too.  Roslovic has had a good start.  Petan, De Leo, Lemieux, and Howden are all players you may see at some point.  The guy who I’m watching close that stands to make a possible impact should the comeback trail continue to go well is Scott Glennie.  He has 2-points in 2-games and I wouldn’t bet against him making an appearance at some point. COACHING STAFF Paul Maurice - A For what’s been given to him, I can’t say Paul Maurice could do any better.  He has a thin line-up ravaged by injuries and, somehow, has coaxed four wins and nine points in 12 games out of this group.  The penalty kill has improved and so has the overall discipline.  With a legit, veteran starting goaltender, this team is over .500 despite the flaws. MANAGEMENT AND OWNERSHIP Kevin Cheveldayoff - F Harsh, but it’s inexcusable to not have a defense with more veterans and stability if you are going to run with two inexperienced goalies.  Of course, I think if you had a guy like Halak playing behind a D that also had Russell and Seidenberg then you’d have a team that doesn’t lose very often at all.  This Trouba issue doesn’t need to be an issue.  It’s been simmering for a year and didn’t need to reach this point.  They should have traded him last year when he had more value and before the world knew he was such a malcontent.  I also didn’t like how they made Ladd and Byfuglien twist in the wind last year wondering if they were staying or going and I think the distraction was a big reason why they missed the playoffs.  I’m also not impressed that Ladd’s production hasn’t been replaced.  If they offered him $5M a year and he said ‘no’, then why didn’t they go out and spend those dollars on another player that can help them?  Getting Laine is a byproduct of being bad.  You can’t sell me that he’s the replacement for Ladd.  He should be ‘in addition to’ the replacement for Ladd.  Season ticket holders stepped up big with long term commitments when the team came back.  It’s time for ownership to return the favor and, so far, they haven’t shown a willingness to do that.  

Courtesy: Brandon University News Release BRANDON - The Brandon University women's soccer team is looking to score the program's first Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference (MCAC) championship this weekend in Winnipeg. The Bobcats are back at the MCAC Final Four for the third consecutive year following an undefeated regular season. The team finished with a 7-0-3 record, good for second place in the standings. Brandon outscored their opponents 40-5 in the process to punch their ticket for the playoffs with major momentum. "I think the team is better and we play a better type of soccer," said coach Rainer Schira. "We have confidence in every single player, we have confidence in the coaches to establish the game plan and we have confidence in the players to execute it. We should be able to peak at the right time." "We are really close as a team," said second-year midfielder Allison Cruse. "The first game of the season we were confident in what we were doing and we knew we were going to make it to the top-two in the league." The first opponent standing in Brandon's way of reaching the MCAC mountaintop is St. Boniface in the semifinals at 12 p.m. on Saturday. The Bobcats swept the two head-to-head meetings by blanking their opponents 2-0 and 3-0. In the other semifinal, the top-ranked and tournament host Red River Rebels play the Providence Pilots. The winners meet for all the MCAC marbles at 1 p.m. on Sunday. "Going into this we are focused on the next game, we do not focus on the final and the next game is the semi," added Schira. "We have to play our game and then worry about the final." Brandon is coming off a runner-up finish a year-ago for the league title. BU dropped a hard-fought 2-1 decision against Red River in the final last season. The heartbreaking end to 2015 has the battle-tested Bobcats motivated for more. "We were up with 10 minutes left and we lost the game," recalled Schira. "I think our players will take that and try to turn it into a positive. They have been there, they have the experience and they know they can win this." "I think we are really strong," added Cruse. "I think we have really improved the mental aspects of the game together and we have realized how to be positive with each other. We are in a good position going in." Meanwhile, the BU men's soccer team narrowly missed the post-season. The Bobcats finished tied for fourth and the final playoff spot with Providence, but missed out due to the head-to-head tiebreaker with the Pilots.

Courtesy:  Brandon University News Release BRANDON - Ninety-three years of hockey history will be celebrated next month at Brandon University and BU Athletics is thrilled with the expected turnout of familiar faces. BU will be welcoming home over 270 alumni and guests for a special Bobcat men's hockey reunion on November 4-5. Hockey on campus first started in 1909 at Brandon College and continued until the university program came to a close in 2002. Bobcat and Brandon College Caps alumni left a lasting legacy and BU Athletic Director Russ Paddock feels it is important to celebrate their accomplishments. "This event is a longtime coming for our hockey alumni," said Paddock. "The bond created by our hockey alumni is unbreakable and the feedback we have received about the reunion shows that. They have a special place in our history that deserves full recognition." Former players, coaches and staff are travelling near and far to attend the festivities including Rod Winkler. He played with the Bobcats for two seasons from 1979 to 1981 and is coming from Europe to attend. After completing his BU playing career, Winkler played nine seasons professionally in Norway. He currently lives and works in Asker, Norway and Geneva, Switzerland and he is looking forward to returning for the reunion. "I wanted to see some of the best guys I have been around on and off the ice," said Winkler. "Just seeing the guys one more time, it is a hard thing to pass up." Winkler, who is originally from Milestone, Sask., looks back fondly at his time with the Bobcats. In 1980-81, he helped BU capture a GPAC (Great Plains Athletic Conference) championship, while being ranked #1 in Canada. "I feel we were pretty well unstoppable that year," added Winkler. "Looking back, you only have a few moments in your career when the timing is just right and you are fortunate to be on a team like that." The Bobcat hockey reunion coincides with the first home games of the 2016-2017 Canada West season with the volleyball teams in action against the Thompson Rivers WolfPack. Alumni attending the home opener on Friday will have the chance to register for the reunion. Hockey memorabilia will also be on display as former Bobcats and College Caps enjoy a meet-and-greet. A nostalgic filled Saturday is planned with alumni games scheduled for the Sportsplex. The 50-and-older game starts at 1 p.m. followed by the 49-and-younger contest. The public is encouraged to attend the alumni games with free admission. 1996-97 CIAU rookie of the year Grady Manson and former NHL'er Tim Lenardon are among the 80 players lacing up the blades one more time in the classic Bobcat blue and gold colours. "It will be a great honour and privilege to wear the Bobcat jersey again," said Lenardon. "It will be great to see all the former players and friends back in Brandon." "I am looking forward to wearing the Bobcat jersey one more time and catching up with some of the other players that will be at the alumni game," said Manson. "The one season I played with BU was special as I got the chance to play at home after junior hockey." Fellow all-Canadians Peter Gerlinger, Rich Little and Tim Morrison are also expected to play. Once the alumni games are complete the alumni will return to the Healthy Living Centre for the Saturday volleyball matches at 5 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. The alumni will be officially recognized at the matches.

Kirkland Lycar,who once played 2 games with the Brandon Wheat Kings back in 2014/15 , has left the Dauphin Kings of the MJHL and is seeking a trade. Peter Quenneville is off to a great start with the Aalborg Pirates of the Danish Hockey League. The former Wheat King has recorded 7 points in 5 games and currently sits second in league scoring. Brandon resident, and a one time member of the Montreal Canadiens, Brock Trotter recently signed with SaiPa of the Finnish First Division. Brock played in Sweden last season. Forward, Triston Grant has singed with the Wichita Thunder of the ECHL. The Neepawa product has played a total 11 games in the NHL with the Nashville Predators and the Philadelphia Flyers over his career. Quinton Lisoway has joined the University of Manitoba Bisons Hockey team. Former Wheat King defensemen Rene Hunter is also on the Bisons' roster as are Elkhorn products Shawn & Brad Bowles. Reid Duke has been released from his tryout with the Hartford Wolf Pack and is headed back to Brandon to join the Wheat Kings. Duke's return leaves the Wheat Kings with 4 overagers, one over the league maximum.

Brandon's Curtis 'The Demon' Demarce is the new reigning Canadian Featherweight Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Champion. The fight took place in Edmonton on Saturday September 30th. Unified 28 was one of the biggest fight cards of the year. There were three title bouts in front of a crowd of nearly 3000 at The Palace. Demarce fought Parwez Ghulam. It was a three round bout, ending in TKO. Demarce says, "the fight was very frustrating for me. He ran from me the whole fight. Anytime that I tried to close the distance, get on the inside to use my boxing or get a take-down he would circle away and run. I expected more pressure from him." "Half way through the fight I had to switch my game plan, find his angles and throw something unorthodox as he was circling away from my power. A lot can happen. A good fighter finds a way to adapt on his feet, switch the plan and get the win. Happy I could get it done." Curtis Demarce at Tastee's waiting on his champ burger. What's next for Demarce? He looks to move up a weight class and capture the Lightweight title and keep both divisions active. An ambitious feat for this career fighter. No other Canadian has ever held both titles simultaneously. Demarce trains here at home in Brandon at Brandon Academy of Mixed Martial Arts and does full training camp, pre-fight at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose California. He has been fighting for over a decade now, currently ranked in the top 3 in Canada. Some of his career highlights are featured on YouTube. In the MMA context, Demarce walked away from this fight virtually unscathed. Not a mark on his knuckles, merely a broken nose, torn ligament in the foot and a couple stitches. All in a day's work. Champ Burger @ Tastee's. Curtice Demarce and his squad in Edmonton inmmediately post fight.