Brandon Wheat Kings Owner and Governor Jared Jacobson has announced the appointment of Marty Murray as the Western Hockey League clubs new General Manager. A Lyleton, Manitoba product, Murray, 47, has spent the past two seasons as GM and Head Coach of the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League. Prior to that, nine seasons with the Minot Minotaurus of the North American Hockey League, five as a Head Coach and four as GM and Head Coach. Murray is certainly no stranger to Wheat King fans, the former Captain and WHL Player of the Year was named to the Brandon Wheat Kings All-Time Team during the 50th Anniversary Season in 2017.  In 264 games as a Wheat King, Murray recorded 132 goals and added 260 assists for 392 career points. He was named to Team Canada’s World Junior Team in 1994 and 1995, being awarded Best Forward and named to the World Junior All-Star team while leading the prestigious tournament in scoring with 15 points in 1995. The Wheat King fan favourite was drafted by the Calgary Flames with the 96th overall pick in the 1993 National Hockey League Entry Draft. He went onto have a 14-year professional hockey career spanning the American Hockey League, Europe and 261 NHL games with the Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Carolina Hurricanes and Los Angeles Kings. “I can’t tell you how happy I am to be back with the black and gold,” Murray said from Sioux Falls, South Dakota on Sunday. “When I retired from playing and got into the coaching and the managerial side of things, I always thought that maybe there would be an opportunity to come home and work for the Wheat Kings someday. It’s a real thrill and honour, and I’m humbled to be coming back home to Brandon.” Wheat Kings Owner and Governor Jared Jacobson was thrilled when discussing Murray. “After working so diligently all summer, I am so happy patience paid off to get one of the best Wheat Kings of all-time back with the organization.” Murray was quick to give thanks, “I want to thank Jared for his commitment, there were several long discussions with moving a family and things like that. Lots of considerations, and I want to thank him for this great opportunity.” Murray brings with him a history of winning. The former WHL All-Star has won two World Junior Gold Medals for Canada, a Calder Cup, Swiss League Championship and two Spengler Cups.  In 2019, he was named the NAHL General Manager of the Year, that same year the Lyleton product was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. Murray is looking forward to the next chapter in his career as he returns to the Wheat City, “I think it’s a real solid roster that I will get to know as we get going. The thing that appealed to me the most was taking to Jared, meeting Chris Moulton (Director of Hockey Operations), and having Mark Johnston (Senior Scout) in my corner, who was my assistant coach when I was 16. Just going through all the pieces, it gave me great excitement to see that not only what we have now, but the future as well. There is a good foundation in place and hopefully we can carry on the tradition of what the Wheat Kings are both on and off the ice.” For Jacobson, he finally got his man. “To have a guy at the helm with his experience, not only as a player within this organization and this community, but with his success in the pro ranks across multiple leagues. Those are experiences we can all learn from as an organization.“ With camp opening this week, the new Wheat Kings General Manager won’t have much time to get to Brandon and settled in, but he says that is fine with him. “I’m ready to dive in with both feet first this week, I’m a team guy and will work with all the staff to put the best product on the ice.” Murray will arrive in Brandon today in anticipation of the Wheat Kings Training Camp that begins on-ice sessions Thursday.

Brandon Wheat Kings U18 AAA head coach Curtis Brolund (pictured above) tees it up at the 2022 Tamarack. Jarod Crane of Brandon has won the 2022 Tamarack men's golf tournament. The Tamarack is an annual match play golf tournament held at Riding Mountain National Park each summer. Crane defeated Brandon's Nolan Ritchie 1 up in the final at the Clear Lake golf course. Crane started the championship shooting a 70 and a 71 in his opening qualifying round,  good enough for 2nd overall. He then disposed of Jay Thiesen, Josh McPhail, and Evan Nachtigall prior to meeting Ritchie in Saturdays championship match. Ritchie, also a member of The Brandon Wheat Kings, fired identical qualifying rounds of 70 and 70 to finish as the top seed. On his way to the final Ritchie eliminated Nolan Tutkaluk, Chris Knoop, & Jason Curtis. Kaitlin Troop and Julia Reimer won the women's scramble defeating Jayne Troop and Jody Bieber. Meanwhile, George Panagiotou won the senior men's championship, Dale Murray took home honors in the masters men's, and Hayden Delaloye the junior championship.

The Brandon Wheat Kings are excited to announce that the team has hired Del Pedrick as Assistant Coach. Pedrick will be tasked with assisting the coaching staff with day-to-day operations. “I think he’s a great addition to our team” said Head Coach Don MacGillivray. “Del brings a lot of different characteristics that we were looking for, he’s got a lot of experience and coached at a high level across different age groups and has had a lot of success“ Pedrick, from Melita Manitoba, has spent the last two seasons as Head Coach of the Notre Dame Hounds U18AAA team, although local fans may remember his coaching time in Manitoba. Pedrick was the Head Coach of the MJHL’s Waywayseecappo Wolverines from 2000-2002 before moving on to the Swan Valley Stampeders from 2002-2006. Before his MJHL days, Del was the Head Coach of the Southwest Cougars U-18 AAA from 1995-2000. “I’m really excited to be a part of a storied organization like the Brandon Wheat Kings“ said Pedrick. “Growing up in the area and following them my whole life, I appreciate what’s been extended towards me from Jared, Don and the coaching staff.” Del’s return to Westman creates an emotional spark. “Means the world to come home, I’ve taught for almost 10 years in the Brandon School Division and my hometown is an hour and half southwest; we are looking forward to it.” Over his career, Pedrick was a MJHL coach of the year finalist 3 times, coached in the Under-16 Challenge Cup in 2012 and 2013 and coached in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in 2004 and 2006. More recently, Del led his Notre Dame Hounds team in 2021-22 to a SMAAAHL U-18 league championship. “I’ve known him for a long time, he’s excited about the opportunity, and we are excited to have him.” Said MacGillivray Pedrick is equally as excited about the roster he gets to work with. “I respect the job the scouting staff has done; it’s been built by quality people who work hard and that’s what excites me. It’s a deep lineup and I’m excited to help them reach their goals.” The addition of Pedrick continues to help round out the Wheat Kings hockey operations staff for the 2022-2023 season. Meanwhile in other hockey operations news, former BWK Assistant Coach Dan Johnston recently accepted a job with the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers. Owner/Governor – Jared Jacobson Director of Hockey Operations – Chris Moulton Head Coach – Don MacGillivray Assistant Coach – Mark Derlago Assistant Coach – Del Pedrick Goaltending Coach – Tyler Plante Athletic Therapist – Zack Hartwick Equipment Manager – Scott Hlady Assistant Equipment Manager – Jody Norminton Dressing Room Assistants – Rob Pope, Aiden Pope, Jason Norminton, Sawyer Wallin The Wheat Kings will officially open training camp on Wednesday, August 31st. Full training camp details, including schedule, rosters and fan participation will be released later this week. (Wheat Kings Release)

Brandon's Coltyn Bates was recently named an Assistant General Manager and Assistant Coach with the MJHL's Winkler Flyers. Bates spent 3 seasons with the Brandon Wheat Kings U18 AAA club, prior to joining the Flyers as a player for 3 seasons. At the conclusion of his junior career Bates played college hockey at the Univ. of Wisconsin-Superior. Brandon's Ryan White is also an Assistant Coach with the Flyers while former Wheat King Eric Fehr is the team's Director of Player Development.

Brandon Wheat King goaltender Carson Bjarnason has had both a busy and rewarding off-season so far this summer; first winning a gold medal with his Team Canada teammates at the recent 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and then backstopping 2112 Hockey Agency to a WSHL Division 1 title earlier this week. The Carberry native appeared in 23 games for the Wheat Kings last year and is listed as one of the "other notable prospects" for the 2023 NHL entry draft by Elite Prospects. What professional athlete would you choose to be your college roommate? Kobe Bryant Your favourite YouTube Channel ? VKGoalie30 If you could play another sport professionally what would it be? Baseball  You get locked in Wal-Mart for 24 hours, how would you pass the time? Find all the best snacks I could and binge watch a show If you could give someone only one recommendation where to go for pizza in Brandon, where are you telling them to go? Boston Pizza Any game day rituals/superstitions? Not anything too special. Tape sticks, eye/hand coordination, and lots of stretching.  What song intro will make you immediately turn up the volume? Jimmy Cooks - Drake Would you rather go hang gliding or whitewater rafting? Hang gliding for the views French fries or onion rings? French fries Who inspired you as a young athlete? Carey Price When you’re not practising or competing, how do you spend your free time? I love to listen to music, play guitar, and sketch in my book Which one of your current teammates will one day make a great coach? Landon Roberts Favourite all-time sports movie? I really like “42”, “Miracle”, and “The Blindside”   What two athletes (1 male-1 female) would you like to see team-up on The Amazing Race: Michael Jordan and Serena Williams. Both highly competitive  The NHL decides to host an exhibition game at the Keystone Centre, what two teams would you like to see take part? MTL vs. Calgary Your fast-food guilty pleasure? Pita Pit club A movie you would watch again tonight? Top Gun Roller coasters or water slides? Water slides Three most commonly used apps on your phone? Messages, Garageband, and Snapchat Favourite restaurant to dine at when on the road with the Wheat Kings? The Red Barn, Moosomin SK