Westoba Credit Union (WCU) and the Brandon Wheat Kings have once again joined forces to find their next 2021-2022 Westoba Wheat Kings Jr. Reporters. The contest starts on Tuesday, September 28th, and is open to all Manitoba hockey fans between the  ages of five to twelve. To enter, Wheat King Fans are encouraged to submit a video of their interviewing skills to show us why they are the next Westoba Wheat Kings Jr. Reporter. This contest gives young hockey lovers a chance to enter to win some great prizes, and the opportunity to meet and interview players and staff from the Brandon Wheat Kings. Interviews will be featured on Westoba Credit Union’s YouTube Channel, wheatkings.com, on the Video  Scoreboard at several Brandon home games in 2021-22 as well as all over social media! “We are proud to partner with the Brandon Wheat Kings to bring back the Westoba Wheat Kings Jr. Reporter after last season was cancelled as a result of the pandemic,” says Jim Rediger, President and Chief Executive Officer of WCU. “This is our sixth year of this contest, and it is an incredible opportunity for young hockey fans to get involved in their community, showcase their passion for the sport and meet their favourite players.” Contest deadline is Friday, October 29th, 2021. Fans are encouraged to visit westoba.com for more information on the contest and to submit their unique and creative videos. All contest participants are asked to follow all COVID-19 health regulations when conducting their interviews. The two winners will be announced on November 17, 2021, and make their 2021-2022 season debuts later in the season. “The Westoba Credit Union Jr. Reporter contest is one of my favorite events of the year,” said Branden Crowe, Wheat Kings Director of Strategic Marketing and Radio Broadcaster. “Seeing the kids interact with the players, asking fun questions and learning more about the team is a lot of fun. This is a great opportunity for the kids to get involved behind the scenes, get out of the comfort zone and build relationships with our players!”

Sunday afternoon, the Westman Magic won the U16 AAA provincial softball final 8-2 over the Smitty's Terminators in a game played at the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex. Earlier in the day in semi-final action, the team won a close 1-0 victory over the WPG Lightning. Six teams took part over the three days, with action getting underway Friday evening. Meanwhile in Friedensfeld at the Friedensfeld Softball Diamonds, the U14 AAA Westman Magic team (pictured below) also took home a provincial title of their own. The Magic toppled the Eastman Wildcats 6-4 in Sunday's championship game.

Ken Schneider, a former coach of the AAA U-18 Brandon Wheat Kings, will be moving three hours down the road as he was recently named an assistant coach with the WHL's Regina Pats. Schneider told BDNMB today that he is going to move in with his son Mark and his wife Alyse while Ken’s wife Lizann will stay back in Brandon and continue to work. With having a one year deal, it didn’t make sense to move everything from Brandon to Regina. “I retired from MNP a year ago and in May my plan was to coach with Tyson Ramsey in Virden with the Oil Capitals...but the phone rang at it was Oak Lake native John Paddock and he offered me the job”.  “Well yes, this is a coming home as I was born in Regina and raised about 45 minutes south east of Regina on a grain farm at Colfax, Sk. I played most of my minor hockey in Weyburn and Jr A there before joining the Wheat Kings in 1980." said Schneider regarding his comment about coming home on the WHL website. "I have my brother and family in Weyburn, an aunt and uncle in Regina. Several cousins in the area so when I say I am coming home it comes from this. My second cousin Doug Killough played for the Pats and the Riders so there is family history with the Pats as well.” added Schneider. We wish Ken the best in this move.

Competitive men's and women's fastball returned to Brandon over the weekend at the first annual Oji-Cree Softball tournament held in the city. Teams from across the province competed for titles in four different divisions: men's, women's, U16, and U12. In the twelve team men's division, the Notre Dame Clubs (pictured above) captured first place. First place in the women’s division went to Layne’s Stars, while Team Extreme claimed the U16 title and the Pimicikamak Rebels took home the U12 Division. The weekend opening ceremonies kicked off Saturday with the Dakota Hostiles drum group and Elders Fred Stevens and Rey Cook.

The Brandon Wheat Kings are excited to announce that former captain and eleven-year NHL veteran Matt Calvert has joined the hockey staff as a Development Coach. Along with assisting the coaching staff with day-to-day operations, Calvert will focus primarily on the career development of current players and prospects, emphasizing skill development, fitness, nutrition, mental health, and education. “Matt is someone that we want in our organization. He was a model Wheat King and more importantly he is a great person from a great family,” said General Manager Doug Gasper. “It was an easy decision to have him working with our players and staff.” Calvert joined his hometown Wheat Kings in 2007 after a breakout 83-point season with the U18 Wheat Kings and quickly became a fan favorite with his unparalleled work ethic and heart. “Im excited to move my family back to Brandon,” said Calvert. “Im excited to have the opportunity to help these players out and try and make them better every day. It’s been a lot of fun spending this time off with my family, but it’s time to get back to work.’ Over his three-year career in the WHL, Calvert would appear in 198 games, scoring 99 times and adding 131 assists for 230 points in a Wheat King sweater, capping his career with a CHL Memorial Cup All-Star nod. A fifth-round selection of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Calvert would quickly establish himself as one of the hardest working players in the NHL. Over his eleven-year NHL career, Calvert played in 556 regular season games, scoring 95 times, and adding 108 assists for the both the Blue Jackets and Colorado Avalanche. The addition of Calvert rounds out the Wheat Kings hockey operations staff for the 2021-2022 season. General Manager – Doug Gasper Director of Player Personnel – Chris Moulton Head Coach – Don MacGillivray Assistant Coach – Mark Derlago Assistant Coach – Dan Johnston 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 The Wheat Kings will officially open training camp on Tuesday September 7th at Westoba Place. Full training camp details, including schedule, rosters and fan participation will be release later this week. (Wheat Kings Media Release)