The Brandon Wheat Kings saw two of their players take the next step toward professional hockey as goaltender Filip Ruzicka and defenceman Giorgos Pantelas were selected in the 2026 NHL Draft. Ruzicka was the first Wheat King off the board, with the Minnesota Wild selecting the towering Czech netminder in the fifth round, 137th overall. Standing 6-foot-8, Ruzicka quickly emerged as one of the top goaltending prospects in the Western Hockey League during his rookie campaign. His combination of size, athleticism and composure in the crease drew the attention of NHL scouts throughout the season. Later in the draft, the Los Angeles Kings selected Pantelas in the fifth round, 153rd overall. The Victoria, B.C., product established himself as one of Brandon's top defencemen, using his size, mobility and two-way play to become a key contributor on the Wheat Kings' blue line. The selections continue the Wheat Kings' long-standing tradition of developing NHL talent. Brandon has consistently produced professional players, and the selections of Ruzicka and Pantelas further reinforce the organization's reputation as one of the WHL's premier development programs.

The Brandon Wheat Kings have announced their pre-season schedule and home opener ahead of the 2026-27 Western Hockey League campaign. The Wheat Kings will play four exhibition games in September as they prepare for what is expected to be an exciting season. Brandon opens the pre-season at home on Sept. 4 when they host the Regina Pats at ACU Place. The two teams will meet again the following night, Sept. 5, in Regina. The Wheat Kings will then return home on Sept. 11 to face the Moose Jaw Warriors at ACU Place before wrapping up their exhibition schedule on Sept. 12 in Moose Jaw. Following the pre-season, the Wheat Kings will officially open the 2026-27 regular season on home ice on Friday, Sept. 18, when they welcome the Saskatoon Blades to ACU Place. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. in what will mark the club's home opener and the beginning of a new WHL campaign. The pre-season contests and home opener will provide fans with their first opportunity to see both returning veterans and newcomers in action as the Wheat Kings look to make an early statement in the new season. With hockey season just around the corner, excitement is already beginning to build in Brandon for what promises to be a memorable 2026-27 campaign.

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