Former Brandon Wheat Kings captain Ryan Craig has reached another milestone in his hockey journey, earning one of the most coveted jobs in the sport after being named head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday. Craig becomes the fifth head coach in franchise history and takes over a team that is coming off a remarkable run to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final. The promotion comes after the Golden Knights announced that veteran coach John Tortorella would not return behind the bench next season. For hockey fans in Brandon, Craig’s appointment carries special significance. The Abbotsford, B.C., product captained the Wheat Kings from 2001 to 2003 and developed a strong relationship with current Golden Knights General Manager Kelly McCrimmon, who drafted him to Brandon during his tenure with the Western Hockey League club. That connection has now come full circle, with McCrimmon handing Craig his first NHL head coaching opportunity. After retiring as a player in 2017, Craig joined the Golden Knights organization during its inaugural season as an assistant coach. He spent six seasons on the NHL staff before being named head coach of the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights in 2023. Under his leadership, Henderson enjoyed a franchise-best regular season in 2025-26 and secured a berth in the Calder Cup Playoffs. The 44-year-old has built his entire coaching career within the Golden Knights organization, making him a familiar and trusted choice to guide one of the NHL’s top contenders. His promotion also reflects the organization’s commitment to continuity after nearly a decade of success. Craig’s rise from Wheat Kings captain to NHL head coach is another proud chapter for Brandon’s hockey history. He joins a distinguished list of Wheat Kings alumni who have gone on to make significant impacts at the professional level, and his appointment further highlights the organization’s reputation for developing future hockey leaders. As Craig prepares for his first season behind an NHL bench, Wheat Kings fans will undoubtedly be watching closely as one of their former captains takes the reins of a Stanley Cup contender.

First-round leader Kolby Day went the distance—and then some—to capture his first Grey Owl  men’s golf championship on Sunday at Clear Lake Golf Course.   The Brandonite, who plays out of Shanks Driving Range & Grill, made a four-foot par putt on the fourth extra hole to  win the four-man playoff and claim the 64th edition of the 36-hole tournament, which is presented by IG Private Wealth  Management.   “I’ve been coming to this tournament for a couple years now, and I’ve come close a couple times,” Day said after  accepting the Cactus Jack Wells Memorial Trophy from Owl president Sean Ashton. “I tried to give it away several times  today, but finally got the job done, so it feels great.”   Day, who shot 65-77 for a 2-under 142 total, outlasted Elmhurst’s Dave Spurr, (69-73) who bogeyed the fourth playoff  hole, which was the par-4 ninth. Two-time Owl champion Nick Myhre of Rolette, N.D., (72-70) and Brandon’s Braydon  Nault (70-72) were both eliminated from the playoff on the second extra hole.   It was the largest playoff at The Grey Owl since 2001, when Dauphin’s Ryan Horn won over four others on the first  playoff hole. Sunday’s extra action was the eighth playoff in Grey Owl history and first in 14 years.  Day, 29, had a one-shot lead on the 18th tee during regulation play, but he failed to get up and down from just off the  green. Nault drained a 25-foot birdie putt on 18 to get into the playoff, while Spurr parred. Myhre, who played in the  group ahead of Day, Spurr and Nault, eagled the par-4 16th hole and parred 17 and 18 to get to 2 under as well.  Day was cruising along nicely until he got to “the horn,” as 13, 14 and 15 are known at Clear Lake. Day double bogeyed the par-5 13th and then tripled the par-5 14th. He called that a “speed bump” and was able to get back on track  with a par on 15.   “It was just a matter of just keeping calm,” Day said. “Having (Nault) in the cart with me today obviously helped. I  think if I was by myself it might have been a different story, but Braydon was great to have in the cart today. He kept me  pretty in line.”   Myhre had a great chance to win the tournament on the first playoff hole, but he left his six-foot birdie putt short, and  all four moved on the tough, par-4 seventh. Day and Spurr both made pars to eliminate Myhre and Nault, who both  bogeyed. On the par-4 eighth, Spurr had a glorious opportunity to claim the title, but he hit his six-foot birdie putt through  the break.   Day had the shot of the day into the ninth green, sticking his 58-degree wedge to about two feet, but he didn’t make it  easy on himself when he rammed his downhill birdie putt about four feet past the hole. Spurr had already made bogey, and  Day showed nerves of steel and rammed in the comebacker for the win.  

Winnipeg’s Patrick Perrin has some company at the top of the leaderboard at the 64th  annual Grey Owl men’s golf tournament.   In fact, Brandon’s Kolby Day will have the lead heading into the second and final round of the 36-hole  event at beautiful Clear Lake Golf Course.   One day after Perrin, who plays out of Elmhurst Golf and Country Club, fired a blistering 6-under-par 66,  Day on Saturday went one better, carding a 7-under 65 on a beautiful Saturday morning. Day, who plays out of  Shanks Driving Range and Grill, posted seven birdies and an eagle on the par-5 13th hole, but he bogeyed the  tough par-4 second and par-5 13th.   Elmhurst’s Dave Spurr, who captured the Manitoba men’s match play championship last week, carded a 3- under 69 on Saturday and sits in third place going into Sunday’s final round.   Shilo’s Braydon Nault, who fired a hole-in-one during last year’s Grey Owl, will round out the final  championship flight foursome after shooting a 70 on Saturday.   Brandon’s Ross Sheard, who also plays out of Shanks Driving Range, was the fifth and final player to break  par in their first round, carding a 1-under 71 on Saturday.   Thirteen players qualified for the championship flight by shooting 76 or better. Players who shot 76 or  better but are not listed in the championship flight opted not to compete for the tournament title.  Breezy Bend’s Garth Collings and Warren’s Brian Campbell are leading the Greyer Owl flight—for those  over the age of 60—after opening with 74s.   Owl trophies will be given to 10 other flight winners and the Greyer Owl champion. Sunday’s tee times will  be posted on Saturday night at thegreyowl.ca.   FIRST-ROUND LEADERS   Kolby Day, Brandon 34-31—65   Patrick Perrin, Elmhurst 30-36—66   Dave Spurr, Elmhurst 34-35—69   Braydon Nault, Shilo 33-37—70   Ross Sheard, Brandon 32-39—71   Nick Myhre, Rolette, N.D. 38-34—72   Ty Lewis, Shilo 36-36—72  

(article submitted) Winnipeg’s Patrick Perrin blitzed the Clear Lake Golf Course on Friday and has a six stroke lead after Day 1 of the 64th annual Grey Owl men’s golf tournament, presented by IG Private Wealth  Management.   Perrin, who plays out of Elmhurst Golf and Country Club, fired a blistering 6-under-par 66 in calm, warm  and partly cloudy conditions. That gives him a six-stroke edge over two-time Grey Owl champ Nick Myhre of  Rolette, N.D., and Ty Lewis of Shilo Golf and Country Club, who both shot even-par 72s on Friday. Perrin, who won the 2023 Manitoba men’s mid-amateur championship, made five birdies and an eagle on  the opening nine for a 6-under 30 and played the back in even par to post one of the best opening rounds in  tournament history. Overall, Perrin made seven birdies and an eagle. His round included a double-bogey six on  the par-4 15th hole Myhre, who won the tournament in 2017 and 2018, had three birdies, one bogey and a double bogey en  route to his 72, while Lewis had five birdies and five bogeys during his even-par round.  Brandon’s Jared Jacobson, a two-time winner who plays out of Clear Lake, carded a 1-over 73, while  Breezy Bend’s Garth Collings, who holds the record with 11 Grey Owl crowns, was a shot back at 2-over 74.  The rest of the field of 288 golfers will play their first rounds on Saturday morning, and some players will  hit the course for their second and final rounds later on Saturday.   The tournament consists of 36 holes over three days. The low 16 and ties after the first round will make up  the championship flight, which will tee off on Sunday morning at 10 o’clock Saturday’s tee times and more information can be found at thegreyowl.ca.   DAY 1 TOP SCORES   Patrick Perrin, Elmhurst 30-36—66   Nick Myhre, Rolette, N.D. 38-34—72   Ty Lewis, Shilo 36-36—72   Jared Jacobson, Clear Lake 36-37—73   Garth Collings, Breezy Bend 38-36—74

The offseason has already proven to be anything but quiet for the Brandon Wheat Kings. In a span of just a few days, the organization made significant changes both on and off the ice as preparations continue for the 2026-27 WHL season. The biggest roster move came with the acquisition of defenceman Josh McGregor in a trade aimed at strengthening the Wheat Kings’ blue line heading into next season. McGregor is expected to bring added stability and experience to Brandon’s defensive corps as the club looks to build momentum following last year’s campaign. While the addition of McGregor gives the team a boost on the ice, the organization also announced a notable departure as veteran forward Easton Odut revealed his retirement from hockey. Odut spent parts of several seasons in the WHL and was respected for his steady presence and leadership in the dressing room. His decision marks the end of a junior career that earned praise from teammates and coaches alike. The busy week also included changes behind the bench. The Wheat Kings confirmed they will not renew the contracts of assistant coaches Mark Derlago and Del Pedrick. Both coaches had been part of the organization’s staff in recent seasons and played roles in the development of several young players during their tenure. The moves signal what could be a transformative offseason for Brandon as the organization reshapes both its roster and coaching staff ahead of training camp later this year. With more potential changes expected throughout the summer, Wheat Kings fans may want to keep a close eye on what has already become an eventful offseason in Brandon.