The Red Deer Rebels and Brandon Wheat Kings will tangle in the first round of the 2022 WHL Playoffs. The first-round matchup was confirmed on Friday evening after the Brandon Wheat Kings suffered a 2-1 regulation defeat at the hands of the Saskatoon Blades. With the Rebels already locked into the third seed, Brandon’s regulation loss ensures they will finish no higher than sixth place in the Eastern Conference while remaining ahead of the seventh-place Lethbridge Hurricanes. The 2022 WHL Playoffs marks the return to the Conference-based playoff format for the first time since the 2014 WHL Playoffs. The Rebels and Wheat Kings last met in the 2016 WHL Eastern Conference Championship, with the Wheat Kings securing the series in five games en route to winning the 2016 WHL Championship. The 2021-22 season series between the two Eastern Conference opponents was split right down the middle. The Wheat Kings are winners of two straight in the season series – a 3-1 home win on February 8 and a 4-1 road victory on January 14. The Rebels opened the season series with back-to-back wins prior to the Christmas break – a 5-3 road triumph on November 5 and a resounding 7-1 home ice win way back on October 23. Ottawa Senators prospect Ridly Greig led all skaters with seven points (3G-4A) during the season series, while Rebels forward Jhett Larson collected five points (2G-3A) on behalf of his Club. Veteran Wheat Kings puck stopper Ethan Kruger sports the best numbers of any goaltender to appear in the season series, going 1-1-0-0 with a 0.73 goals-against average and .978 save percentage. His Brandon crease mate Carson Bjarnason also went 1-1-0-0 in the season series. In the Red Deer net, both Connor Ungar and Chase Coward went 1-1-0-0, with Coward boasting a 2.01 goals-against average and .920 save percentage. Before dropping the puck on the 2022 WHL Playoffs, the Rebels will close out the regular campaign on Saturday when they host the Edmonton Oil Kings at 7 p.m. MT (Peavey Mart Centrium). As for the Wheat Kings, they close the schedule on Saturday evening in Prince Albert with a road game against the Raiders (7 p.m. MT, Art Hauser Centre). Game 1 of the first-round series between the Red Deer Rebels and Brandon Wheat Kings will take place on Friday, April 22 at 7 p.m. MT (Peavey Mart Centrium). The best-of-seven series will move east to Brandon for Game 3 on Tuesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. CT (Westoba Place). Game Visitor   Home Date Time 1 Brandon @ Red Deer Friday, April 22 7:00 2 Brandon @ Red Deer Saturday, April 23 7:00 3 Red Deer @ Brandon Tuesday, April 26 7:00 4 Red Deer @ Brandon Wednesday, April 27 7:00 5 * Brandon @ Red Deer Friday, April 29 7:00 6 * Red Deer @ Brandon Sunday, May 1 5:00 7 * Brandon @ Red Deer Tuesday, May 3 7:00          

The Brandon Wheat Kings Hockey Club announce today that Branden Crowe, the voice of the Wheat Kings has accepted a position with Hockey Canada. Crowe joined the Wheat Kings as the Play-by-Play Broadcaster following the 2016 WHL Championship season. After calling the 2021 Subway Cup Championship season in Regina, Crowe accepted a full time role in the Wheat Kings front office as the club’s Director of Strategic Marketing and Social Sales. “This has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. These past six seasons have been a dream come true for me,” said Crowe. “This team means the world to me, and I am grateful for the experiences and people I’ve met along the way.” Since arriving in the Wheat City, Crowe has called some memorable and unique moments in club history. From the 2016 Fog Bowl home opener to the playoff runs in Dauphin, MB, Crowe has been behind the mic for 190 regular season victories. “We are very happy for Branden,” said Head Coach Don MacGillivray. “This is a great opportunity for him and his family to further his career. As much as he will be missed by our staff and players, we all understand that when you do a good job, these opportunities arise.” An interim Play-by-Play voice for the upcoming WHL Playoffs will be named in the coming days.  Long time color commentator Pete Gerlinger will remain on the broadcast. “Branden has been a good ambassador for the Brandon Wheat Kings,” said Wheat Kings owner Jared Jacobson. “He has a real passion for the Wheat Kings and we wish him the best in his future endeavors as pursues a career with Hockey Canada.” The Wheat Kings close out the 2021/2022 WHL Regular Season tonight at the Art Hauser Centre in Prince Albert. The Drummonds Farm Services Pre-Game Show begins at 7:45 MB time with a special pre-game show, puck drop is scheduled for 8:00 p.m on Bounce 96.1 and WHL Live. Brandon will face the Red Deer Rebels in the first round of the WHL Playoffs with playoff home games being played at Westoba Place for the first time in four years.  Games 3 and 4 of the Eastern Conference Quarter Final Series will be played on Tuesday, April 26th and Wednesday, April 27th respectively. (Brandon Wheat Kings Release)

The annual Sports For Youth registration event is taking place today at the Brandon Shoppers Mall. With many different organizations represented, the event serves as a perfect one-stop location for parents to register their children for spring sporting activities in Brandon. As an added bonus, those who complete a registration at the event will have an opportunity to win a $100 Shoppers Mall gift card. Saturday, April 16, 10am – 6pm

Brandon’s Cole McCaig, a one time member of the Brandon Wheat Kings U18 AAA team, is currently an assistant coach with the Flin Flon Bombers of the SJHL. In addition to his role as an assistant coach, McCaig is also the team's Assistant General Manager & the Bombers Marketing Director. The Bombers recently advanced to the SJHL final matchup against the No. 1 seed Estevan Bruins. The Bombers have also qualified to participate in the the Centennial Cup, the Junior ‘A’ National Championship, as Estevan is the host, and therefore Flin Flon is awarded the SJHL’s entry. Prior to entering the coaching field in 2018, McCaig's playing days included stints with the Flin Flon Bombers, Waywayseecappo Wolverines, and Marian University. First job: Timekeeper for Darryl Wolski You have friends (Sobkow, Nelson) visiting Flin Flon for the first time, where locally are you taking them: The Hooter. It's a motel/bar in town. Sobs and Nelly actually stayed there one weekend when they came to visit. I believe they charged $18 a night. What's the first concert you attended: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Name a movie villain that you find yourself pulling for: Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight. Childhood Celebrity Crush: Rachel McAdams. Big fan of her in The Notebook and Wedding Crashers. She seems like the type of girl you want to bring home to meet mom and dad. Which one of your friends would last the longest on the TV show Alone: Probably Cody Gallant. He's a pretty hands-on guy that loves to hunt. If you could bring back one retired NHL player to play now in their prime, who would it be: Wayne Gretzky If you could pick a non-politician to be Prime Minister of Canada, who would you choose: Dennis Kozoroski A meal that you think tastes better the next day: Leftover pizza is usually really good. If you could tailgate in any one NFL City, what city would you choose: Kind of a weird choice but probably Buffalo depending on the weather. Bills fans are crazy so I think I'd come home with a lot of hilarious stories from it. As a kid, my go to cereal was: Cheerios What is the best sports event you have ever been to: Probably the 2010 Memorial Cup in Brandon. It was pretty cool watching players like Taylor Hall and Ryan Ellis who ended up becoming NHL all-stars. What two athletes (1 male-1 female) would you like to see team-up on The Amazing Race: Conor McGregor/Paige VanZant You get to stand on the bench of one NHL team for an entire season, what team would you choose: Montreal Canadians. Favorite Wing flavor: Salt & Pepper Outside of Flin Flon, the SJHL's most passionate fans live in this community: Nipawin. For the size of the community, they usually draw really well. They have great support regardless of where the team sits in the standings. Three most commonly used apps on your phone: Twitter, theScore and Instagram What animal would be most terrifying if it could speak: Weird answer but maybe a Hyena What was the last TV show you binge watched: Californication If you could choose any Canadian band (past or present) to play a backyard BBQ at your house, who are you choosing: Nickelback. I saw them live at the Minot State Fair and they put on an incredible show. I don't understand why people think they suck. Bonus question: Flin Flon is looking for a goalie coach, does Darryl Wolski receive a Skype interview: No interview needed. Darryl would be offered the job immediately.

In July of this year, 10-year old Kale Nicol will be heading to Edmonton, Alberta to represent Manitoba at The Brick Invitational Hockey Tournament, a tournament showcasing the top 10-year old hockey players in North America. Founded by Bill Comrie, the Brick Invitational Tournament is among the most prestigious super novice hockey tournaments in North America. Kale, a center, recently wrapped up his season as a member of the U11 A1 Wheat Kings White. Joining Nicol will be 14 other players born in 2012, including skaters from Winnipeg, Winkler, Swan River, Virden & more. Nicol told bdnmb.ca that what he is most looking forward to is playing in front of the crowd and against strong players from the US and Canada. Kale has looked up to his older brother Reid who just played last summer in the True Franchise Cup (Covid Replacement of the Brick) where Reid scored the winning goal in the 4th overtime period for the tournament win. Like his brother, Kale is very determined to have the great experience his brother just had. He has a good team and is very happy to play all these games with them over the next several weeks. To prepare for The Brick Tournament, his team is scheduled to take part is a few exhibition games as well as tournaments in Winnipeg and Toronto. Many players who have played in the tournament have gone on to NHL careers including the likes of Johnny Guadreau, Tyler Sequin, Dougie Hamilton and PK Subban.