Danika Nell has been named to the 2024 U18 Women’s National Softball Team, an achievement that highlights her exceptional talent and dedication to the sport. This selection places her among the top young softball players in the country, and she will now have the opportunity to represent her nation once again on an international stage. Nell will head to Dallas, TX  from August 29 to September 2 to compete in the 2024 WBSC U18 Women's Softball World Cup Group C. Australia, Ireland, Mexico, the Philippines, and the USA are the other teams who will be competing in Group C. The top two teams from Group C will advance to the 2025 WBSC U18 Women’s Softball World Cup Finals, also to be held in Dallas. Couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to represent Canada again. ❤️🇨🇦 https://t.co/WfmGwwRoIE — Danika Nell (@danikanelly44) August 13, 2024 This accomplishment is a significant milestone for Nell, who has shown incredible promise throughout her softball career. Danika started playing softball as a 6 year old for the Boissevain Mites team, her family’s hometown since moving there from South Africa in 1998. Over the years Westman fans have been able to follow her development with the Westman Magic u12 team and Magic u14 squad. The talented pitcher and left-handed batter also committed to Boston University for NCAA Division I softball in November of 2023. This past season, she helped the  Vincent Massey Collegiate Trojans to their second consecutive provincial high school varsity girls fast-pitch softball championship. She was also named the 2023-2024 'AAAA'  Girls High School Athletes of the Year Nell is the lone Manitoban selected to the team.

In the world of golf, few accomplishments are as celebrated as the hole-in-one. Traditionally, this rare feat occurs on a par 3, where the distance between the tee and the hole is shorter, giving skilled players a chance to make the shot in just one stroke. However, when a golfer manages to achieve a hole-in-one on a much longer hole, it becomes a moment of sheer brilliance and amazement. Recently, at the Glen Lea Golf Course, Joel Plante surprised himself, and those he was golfing with, by achieving the nearly impossible: a hole-in-one on a 320-yard par 4 hole. This rare feat took place on the 13th hole at GLGC on Aug 9, 2024. "I did not see it go in. When I hit the ball a flock of birds flew by and it looked like the ball hit a bird (it did not). After it flew past the birds I lost it! I was in total disbelief! When we drove up to the green we didn't see my ball anywhere. My friend Tristan and my dad Marc drove to the green and saw it in the hole and when they told me, I did not believe them. I thought they were messing with me and it went into the woods so as they were yelling at me that it was in the hole, I dropped a ball where I thought it entered, chipped onto the green and only when I was walking towards the green was when it started to hit me that it was actually in there." Plante told bdnmb.ca about the hole-in-one. Plante, who used a 3-wood from the tee box, described his feelings when he realized the ball was actually in the cup. "I was in total shock! I could not believe it!! I was speechless and couldn't believe it went in!" "I celebrated immediately and had to let the group behind us play through because I needed a minute to calm down!" he added. Following the ace on 13, Plante finished the round shooting birdie, par, double bogey, double bogey, double bogey and finished the round with a 76. " On the 16th hole is when I finally calmed down and started to lose focus!" It was the first the hole-in-one for Plante, who noted the closest he ever came before was about 3 feet from the hole on hole 2 at Glen Lea.

The Kenora Devils Gap Islanders have made a significant addition to their coaching staff by welcoming former NHL player Micheal Ferland as their new skills coach. This move is expected to bring a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the team, especially for the younger players aiming to refine their skills and elevate their game. The the Kenora Devils Gap Islanders are a Junior A Hockey club in the Superior International Junior Hockey League. Last season, the Islanders finished dead last in the eight team league winning only 2 of their 49-games played. The Kenora Devils Gap Islanders are excited to announce that Micheal Ferland has been hired as Skills Coach for the 24-25 Season. We would like to welcome Micheal and his Family to the Islanders Organization. pic.twitter.com/Pfv8Wssv82 — Kenora Devils Gap Islanders (@SIJHL_Islanders) July 16, 2024 Ferland, known for his gritty play and scoring touch during his time in the NHL, brings a unique blend of on-ice expertise and a deep understanding of the game's physical and mental demands. After a career that included stints with the Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, and Vancouver Canucks, Ferland was forced to step away from playing due to lingering concussion issues. However, his passion for hockey remained, leading him to pursue a role where he could continue contributing to the sport. Prior to accepting this role, he was the assistant coach of the Brandon Wheat Kings U18 AAA team and he led Team Manitoba to a national title at the 2023 NAHC in Winnipeg, As a skills coach, Ferland will focus on developing the players' technical abilities, such as shooting, stickhandling, and skating, while also imparting his knowledge of the game's intricacies. His presence is expected to be particularly beneficial for players looking to add an edge to their game, drawing from his experiences in high-pressure situations at the NHL level.

Brandon's Jalyn Elmes has been named the head coach for the Female U15 AAA Wheat Kings team, marking a significant milestone in her coaching career. Elmes, who has a background in high-level hockey, including playing for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, takes on this leadership role for the 2024-2025 season. Her appointment reflects her dedication to the development of female hockey players and her ability to guide young athletes to reach their full potential on and off the ice. The U15 AAA program is part of Hockey Brandon's extensive development system, which includes several teams across different age groups and levels. Elmes will be responsible for nurturing talent and preparing her players for higher levels of competition, emphasizing skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship. In addition to her four seasons (2016-2020) at the University of Minnesota Duluth, Elmes also took her talents overseas to Sweden in 2020-2021 where she suited up for Brynäs IF in the SDHL. She takes over the coaching responsibilities from  Karissa Kirkup who was recently was appointed head coach of Brandon's new Female U18 AAA team. Emma Greenwood and Myles Hrubeniuk were also named as assistant coaches.

Brandon's Paige Crossley was selected to the 2024 Female U18 Program of Excellence (POE) which will compete at the 2024 National Women’s U18 Championship scheduled to take place from Nov. 3 – 9 in Quispamsis, NB. This past season she amassed 41 points in 60 games for the Westman Wildcats of the Manitoba Female Hockey League U18 AAA league. The process of making the squad involved Crossley participating  in the top 68 and top 40 camps held in June and July followed by an email from Hockey Manitoba congratulating her on being selected to be on the team Manitoba roster. "Initially when I first read the email I was shocked and surprised, knowing it would be a hard decision for the coaches seeing all the skill out there. Now that it’s had a chance to sink I’m excited to be a part of team toba!" For Crossley, it will be her first time representing her province and the teenager is looking forward to the whole experience. "I’m most looking forward to represent my province and to play at an elite level of hockey with great talent. Also looking forward to taking direction and learning from head coach, Christine Bumstead, and, Karissa Kirkup. I have never been to New Brunswick either, I’m looking forward to experiencing the east cost." In preparation for the tournament, and her upcoming season with the U18AAA Female Brandon Wheat Kings, she will continue to skate on ice with Jess Stott at the at WCHA as well as off ice training with Tash Falk at the track and at Fit Performance Center here in Brandon. Crossley lists her favorite NHL player as Kirill Kaprizov and considers herself to be a coachable player who is both a great teammate and hardworking. " I have good hockey IQ and I can read the ice well with and without carrying the puck. I will bring intensity and determination to continue Improving my game." Longer term plans Crossley include playing competitive hockey in post secondary, and one day becoming a coach/mentor to young female athletes.