Brandon's Cole Temple was traded tonight from the Regina Pats to the Everett Silvertips in Washington. Born in 2007 Temple a 5th overall WHL draft pick has 12 points in 22 games played this season. Also from Brandon Everett GM Mike Fraser quoted tonight. “We’re excited to be able to add Cole to our group,”. “He is a strong skating and skilled forward who can play both center and wing. He will make an immediate impact with our club while also giving us added versatility up front in future years.” Temple was traded for Julien Maze

The Canadian Hockey League (CHL) is pleased to announce that the city of Kelowna, British Columbia, has been chosen to host the 106th edition of the Memorial Cup in the spring of 2026. The Kelowna Rockets were one of five Western Hockey League (WHL) franchises to submit a formal written bid back in September, which represented the largest number of CHL clubs vying to host a Memorial Cup since 2009. With Kelowna Rockets head coach Kris Mallette on the ground in Oshawa for the 2024 CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada, the CHL will host a media availability with Kris Mallette at 5:20 p.m. ET today at the Tribute Communities Centre. Additionally, CHL President Dan MacKenzie and WHL Commissioner Dan Near will be available at 6:30 p.m. ET upon request. We ask that you confirm your attendance for either availability by emailing Christopher Séguin (CHL Manager of Media Relations) at cseguin@chl.ca. “We are excited to be heading to Kelowna for the 2026 Memorial Cup,” said Dan MacKenzie, President of the CHL. “With the largest number of CHL teams seeking to host a Memorial Cup in more than 15 years, the selection process for the 2026 tournament was incredibly competitive given the strong bids put forth by all five bidding clubs, including the Brandon Wheat Kings, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers, and Spokane Chiefs. I’d like to express my gratitude to these four finalists for all the work they put into creating outstanding bids. We look forward to working alongside the Kelowna Rockets and the City of Kelowna to make the 106th edition of the Memorial Cup a once-in-a-lifetime experience for both fans and players alike.” The selection of Kelowna was rendered following formal bid presentations made by the five bidding WHL clubs – the Brandon Wheat Kings, Kelowna Rockets, Lethbridge Hurricanes, Medicine Hat Tigers, and Spokane Chiefs – to the CHL’s selection committee. The committee was comprised of sports leaders from across the industry including Graeme Roustan (Chairman and Owner of the Hockey News), Colin Campbell (NHL Sr. Executive Vice-President of Hockey Operation), Aaron Fox (Chair of Defence Team for McDougall Gauley), Kalli Quinn (Event Specialist at KAQ Event Consulting), and Paul Graham (Executive Producer & VP at TSN). Each bid was evaluated based on four categories: business operations, local atmosphere/community engagement, event logistics, and hockey operations. “Congratulations to the Kelowna Rockets and the City of Kelowna, led by Bruce Hamilton, Mayor Tom Dyas, David Rush, and Steve Thomson, on successfully bringing the 2026 Memorial Cup to Kelowna,” commented WHL Commissioner Dan Near. “As the selection committee reviewed all the submissions, it became abundantly clear that Kelowna has built an event that could go down as the greatest Memorial Cup in history. The Western Hockey League is thrilled to welcome hockey fans from all corners of the CHL to Kelowna – a gem in the heart of B.C.’s Okanagan – for what will undoubtedly be an exceptional event, complete with world-class hockey, entertaining festivities, and so much more.” The 2026 Memorial Cup will represent just the second time that Kelowna has ever played host to this prestigious tournament. The Rockets previously hosted the Memorial Cup back in 2004, which marked the first and only time Kelowna has won the CHL’s championship event. Led by 2024 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductee Shea Weber and 13-year NHL veteran Josh Gorges, the Kelowna Rockets edged the Gatineau Olympiques in the 2004 Memorial Cup final to capture the Memorial Cup trophy on home ice in front of a sold-out crowd at Prospera Place. This past spring, the City of Kelowna committed to making several upgrades to Prospera Place, including the installation of a brand-new scoreboard, improved lighting and sound systems, a dedicated press box, and more to help bolster the experience of fans and visitors traveling to the home arena of the Kelowna Rockets. “On behalf of the entire Kelowna Rockets organization, I’m more than thrilled for the co-chairs Dave Rush and Steve Thompson, as well as Gavin Hamilton, Jillian Haller, and of course, the City of Kelowna,” added Bruce Hamilton, Governor, President, and General Manager of the Kelowna Rockets. “This wouldn’t have been possible without Mayor Tom Dyas and the City Council stepping up to make sure the building is brought up to CHL standard for the bid. We wouldn’t be in this position if not for the City’s commitment and support. The bid committee has done a phenomenal job and we’re so happy for our community. The 2026 Memorial Cup is for the City of Kelowna and the surrounding area. We get the chance to bring this event back to the Okanagan and while it has been a long grind to get it, we’re excited for the city as well as our season ticket holders. It’s an opportunity for something special.” Over the years, the Kelowna Rockets have proven themselves to be a force in the WHL. The Rockets have won the Ed Chynoweth Cup as league champions of the WHL four times (2003, 2005, 2009, 2015), and they have played in the Memorial Cup tournament on five separate occasions (2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2015). The Rockets’ five appearances at the Memorial Cup since 2003 are the second-most of any CHL franchise over that stretch, trailing only the six trips made by the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) during that period. Throughout the Kelowna Rockets’s 33-year history, there have been a total of 76 players from the club drafted to the National Hockey League (NHL), including current NHLers Tyler Myers, Luke Schenn, and Tyson Barrie, in addition to 2024 Utah Hockey Club first-round pick Tij Iginla, who currently co-leads the Rockets with 13 goals during the 2024-25 campaign. In 2026, the Memorial Cup will be awarded for the 106th time in its history. The Kelowna Rockets will be one of four clubs to play in the 2026 Memorial Cup alongside the playoff champion from each of the OHL, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), and Western Hockey League (WHL). Next year’s 2025 Memorial Cup will take place in Rimouski, Québec from May 22 to June 1, 2025. The 105th edition of the Memorial Cup will mark the return of the CHL’s championship event to the province of Québec for what will be the first time in 10 years. The most recent Memorial Cup took place last spring in Saginaw, as the host Spirit defeated the London Knights 4-3 in the final to secure Saginaw’s first-ever CHL championship title in franchise history. By accomplishing the latter, the Spirit became the first CHL club from Michigan to ever win the Memorial Cup and just the third U.S. franchise to accomplish the feat. Since being awarded for the first time 105 years ago, the Memorial Cup has developed a rich tradition that has shaped the way junior hockey is played in North America — becoming one of the most coveted trophies in the sport. Originally known as the OHA Memorial Cup and donated by the Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) in March 1919, this trophy was created in remembrance of the many soldiers who paid the supreme sacrifice for Canada in the First World War. It was later rededicated in 2010 to the memory of all fallen Canadian Military Personnel. Source: WHL News

Former Brandon Wheat King forward Cole Reinhardt scored his first NHL goal during the Ottawa Senators' 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames on November 25, 2024. Reinhardt, playing in his fourth NHL game across two seasons, notched the milestone in the second period to help the Senators snap a five-game losing streak. Of note, former Wheat King teammate Ridly Greig picked up an assist on Reinhardt's goal. This achievement highlights Reinhardt's growth since being drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and reflects his steady development with the Senators' AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, before earning his recent NHL opportunity. A surreal moment for @ReinhardtCole 🙌 Click to watch Cole Reinhardt's postgame media 📺 — Ottawa Senators (@Senators) November 26, 2024

Former AAA U18 Brandon Wheat King Trent Miner made his NHL debut on November 15, 2024, with the Colorado Avalanche against the Washington Capitals. Drafted by the Avalanche in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft (202nd overall), Miner’s journey to the NHL has been marked by consistent growth and resilience. Miner came in relief of Avalanche starting goalie Justus Annunen early in the 2nd period and finished the night with 12 saves of 13 shots. Miner played two seasons with the U18 AAA Wheat Kings before moving to the WHL’s Vancouver Giants. He later built his professional experience with the ECHL’s Utah Grizzlies, where he set records, and the AHL’s Colorado Eagles, earning a reputation for reliability in the crease. His hard work paid off with an NHL call-up following injuries to other Avalanche goaltenders, making him the 753rd former ECHL player to reach the NHL .In his AHL career, Miner showcased excellent stats, including a .930 save percentage and a 2.10 goals-against average during the 2023-24 season, which solidified his status as a strong goaltending prospect.

(Photo Credit: Golf Manitoba) Zostrianos Giordani-Gross, a young golfing talent from Brandon, Manitoba, has claimed victory in the Junior Boys Division at the 2024 Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour (MJT) National Championship, held at Orange Lake Golf Resort in Kissimmee, Florida. The tournament brought out the best in Giordani-Gross, showcasing his skill, mental toughness, and years of dedication to the sport. Early Beginnings in Golf Giordani-Gross first swung a club as a child, but it wasn’t until age 11, playing at the Souris and Glenwood Community golf course, that he became captivated by the game. By 12, he began playing competitive tournaments on Gary Poole’s Westman Junior Golf Tour, marking the start of a promising journey in the sport. Now a college golfer, he spends around 8 hours a day practicing, often followed by a gym session, and in the past year has played approximately 90 rounds of golf. Influences and Training Inspired by Rory McIlroy, Giordani-Gross has worked to build a compact, powerful swing, similar to the one that has defined his favorite player. Growing up, he practiced extensively at Shilo Country Club and Mulligan’s driving range, clocking in around 4 hours daily. Now, even in winter, he keeps his game sharp with indoor sessions, spending nearly 2.5 hours each morning at Evo Golf before school. His dedication to constant improvement includes a focus on making putts inside 10 feet and increasing his driver distance, key areas that contributed to his recent success. Winning Mindset and Strategy Giordani-Gross attributes much of his success to his mental strength, emphasizing the importance of staying calm, consistent, and trusting his game plan. “I try to be my biggest fan during rounds, and it's rare to see me get frustrated,” he said. This self-discipline proved crucial during the championship, as he followed a well-defined strategy of aiming for the center of the green and avoiding short-sided misses. With small greens at Orange Lake’s Legends course, this approach allowed him to control his scores, turning potential bogeys into pars by focusing on placement and staying within his comfort zone. Reflecting on a Memorable Win Reflecting on his win, Giordani-Gross expressed his excitement and gratitude. “I’ve been competing in MJT tournaments for many years, and to win the national championship means a lot. It’s a huge confidence boost and a stepping stone in my amateur career.” Sticking to his strategy over three days, he avoided the temptation to become overly aggressive, instead trusting his swing and focusing on mental composure—qualities he believes are essential for future success. Giordani-Gross finished the 54 hole event at 2-under par 214, one stroke better than Austin Krahn of British Columbia. Looking Ahead While his game shows few weaknesses, Giordani-Gross remains committed to refining his putting and increasing his driving distance, understanding that these skills will be vital as he continues his journey in competitive golf. This championship win has solidified his standing as one of Canada’s rising stars, and the Brandon community looks forward to his bright future in the sport. With a dedication to both mental and physical preparation, Zostrianos Giordani-Gross has demonstrated that he has the determination and talent to excel at the next level. His MJT National Championship victory is a testament to years of hard work and a strong mental game—qualities that make him a role model for young athletes in Canada. Congratulations to Zostrianos on this remarkable achievement!