Rick Dillabough, a familiar face, and long-term employee of the Brandon Wheat Kings organization, has announced via his LinkedIn page that he was stepping down from his position of Director of Business Operations, Sales and Sponsorship. In his more than 30 years with the organization Rick witnessed three trips to the Memorial Cup, which included two WHL Championships. In his post, he went to on to thank everyone he worked with along the way for making it such a rewarding experience. Prior to working for the Wheat Kings, Dillabough spent 4-years as the Sports Director/play by play announcer for Riding Mountain Broadcasting.

Earlier today, Brandon's Kristen Campbell was named to the to National Women’s Team Olympic Centralization Roster for the 2021-22 season. Campbell is one of three goaltenders announced to the team who will compete for a roster spot at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games. Kristen played with the Westman Wildcats in 2012-13 and also spent several seasons playing hockey in the US at the University of Wisconsin. She has represented Team Canada previously at the2015 IIHF World Women’s U18 Championship. In total 28-players were named today including Deloraine's Ashton Bell, who plays defense. Players and staff will relocate to Calgary at the end of July to prepare for the 2021 IIHF Women’s World Championship and Olympic training. The full release can be read here.

The 2021-22 fishing season officially opens Saturday, May 15 in the southern division and Saturday, May 22 in the rest of the province, Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Blaine Pedersen announced today. “Manitobans are fortunate to have an abundance of trophy fisheries located throughout the province,” said Pedersen. “Recreational angling is a fantastic way to spend time with family while enjoying the outdoors.” Some fish may still be spawning during the start of the angling season. Anglers are asked to protect fish stocks by releasing fish who are discharging eggs back into the water. By proactively releasing spawning fish, anglers will help protect fish stocks and sustain Manitoba’s fisheries. All anglers are required to obtain an angling licence to fish in Manitoba, unless exempt. Angling licences are now available online 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can be immediately purchased and printed at home. For more information and to purchase an angling licence, visit www.manitobaelicensing.ca/licensing.page. Anglers also need to be familiar with Manitoba's fishing regulations. New regulations for 2021-22 include:• Marge Lake – walleye limit is two and all walleye shorter than 35 centimetres must be released;• Bradley Lake – provincial smallmouth bass limits and size restriction;• Mirror Lake – trout limit is one and closed to all fishing from Sept.15 to and including Oct. 31; and• Summerhill Lake – walleye limit is four. For more information on all provincial fishing regulations, refer to the 2021 Manitoba Anglers’ Guide at www.manitobafisheries.com. Manitobans looking for fisheries information such as contour maps, fisheries assessment summaries and stocking information can use the interactive Lake Information for Anglers website, which provides valuable information in an easily accessible format. The Lake Information for Anglers website can be found at www.manitobafisheries.com. To prevent the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) such as zebra mussels, surface water-users are reminded of the requirements when entering and exiting all water bodies in Manitoba. Additional decontamination and bait requirements are needed within AIS control zones. AIS requirements and set fines for offences are in effect year round. The AIS open-water season checklist is a step-by-step resource that can help surface water-users comply with the Manitoba government’s AIS regulations. The province will again be operating watercraft inspection stations to help watercraft users be compliant with AIS requirements. Anyone transporting a powerboat, canoe, Jet Ski or other type of watercraft over land, must stop at the inspection stations when they are open. The set fine for failing to stop at a watercraft inspection station is $672. Monitoring has revealed an establishing population of spiny waterflea in Cedar Lake, located west of Grand Rapids. As well, a single spiny waterflea has been detected in a sample taken from Manigotagan Lake located south east of Bissett. Followup monitoring will be conducted this open-water season to confirm or refute the presence of spiny waterflea in Manigotagan Lake. This small, predacious invertebrate can consume large quantities of zooplankton, which are a vital part of the food chain and the food source for many commercially and recreationally important fish species. Spiny waterflea were first found in Lake of the Woods’ Buffalo Bay in 1995, and can also be found in the Winnipeg River, Shoal Lake (Ontario/Manitoba), Lake Winnipeg and Playgreen Lake. Both zebra mussels and spiny waterflea can have negative impacts to Manitoba’s aquatic ecosystems. Adult mussels can attach firmly to surfaces such as watercraft, trailers and other water-related equipment like anchors. Zebra mussel larvae (veligers) and spiny waterflea are tiny and can go unnoticed in water and be transported to new water bodies by undrained watercraft and equipment like fishing gear. Manitobans are reminded that when outside, it is still important to practise social distancing according to current COVID-19 public health guidelines. For more information, visit www.manitoba.ca/covid19/. For more information on AIS, the open-water checklist, and location and hours of watercraft inspection stations, visit www.manitoba.ca/stopais/. (Province of MB News Release)

 Parks & Recreation Services is excited to announce a new initiative that will enable the residents of Brandon to get outside and enjoy the spring fresh air, while reaching some of their fitness goals!  During the months of May and June, Fresh Air Fitness sessions will be provided at various City of Brandon parks.  To start, sessions will be offered Wednesday & Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Additional sessions will be added in June.   Participants are encouraged to wear athletic clothing, proper footwear, and bring their own water bottle. All equipment will be provided and sanitized between uses as per the provincial health protocols.  Outdoor activities include:  ·       Cricket  ·       Exercise Ball Fitness  ·       Fitness For Older Adults  ·       Karate   ·       Pickleball  ·       Pilates  ·       Yoga  ·       Zumba  Each session has limited spots available. No registration required. First come, first served.   Sessions may be cancelled due to Provincial Public Health Orders. All current Provincial Public Health orders must be followed. Current health orders can be found at Province of Manitoba | State of Emergency and Public Health Orders.  All ages are invited. Participants 11 years of age and under require adult supervision. The schedule of activities can be found at brandon.ca/fresh-air-fitness.  (City of Brandon PSA)

For the first time ever in the association’s history, Hockey Brandon is excited to announce that it is introducing a U15 AAA Female Hockey Program to its lineup for the 2021-2022season. Jarrod Franklin, Female Program Director with Hockey Brandon says, “This is the goal we have been working towards for years. At this particular age, player numbers tend to be an issue. This year, not only are player numbers the highest they have ever been, but they also appear sustainable for years to come.That, combined with the depth of our players will take female hockey in Brandon to the next level.” The team will compete in the Manitoba U15 AAA Female League and is being lead on ice by an all female coaching team with strong roots in the Westman region. This is another historical first for rep hockey in Brandon. Karissa Kirkup has been selected as Head Coach of the team. Kirkup, originally from the Virden area, is a product of the Westman Wildcat U18 AAA Female Hockey Program. As a minor, she also played for Team Manitoba in 2011 and 2012. In 2013, she was invited to attend Team Canada’s U22 training camps. Kirkup has five years of playing experience at the university level. Her first year was with the University of Maine, with the remaining four at the University of Manitoba where she helped the teambecome USport National Champions in 2018. “I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity,” says Kirkup. “I just want to help give female players the types of experiences and opportunities that I had. Hockey has brought a lot to my life and I am very committed to developing our athletes and making this program a long-term success. ”Kirkup will be joined by former Westman Wildcat teammate Amanda Coey in the Assistant Coach role. Coey is from Brandon. Following her minor hockey experience, Coey joined the University of WisconsinSuperior NCAA Division Three women’s hockey program. Coey captained the team in her senior year before returning to Canada and attending the University of Manitoba where she recently completed her Master of Physical Therapy in 2020. Rounding off the coaching unit is Amy Doerksen. Doerksen has been coaching various levels for the past two decades. She is the current U7 Program Director for Hockey Brandon and a product of the University of Manitoba Women’s Hockey Program (1997 – 1999). Doerksen was integral in securing Kirkup as Head Coach and says, “I joined the Hockey Board with a specific goal to get more women in leadership roles on the ice. Female players need female role models. This team marks the beginning of a new era in female hockey here in Brandon and it is something we should be very excited and proud of. ”To get a head start on the 2021-2022 season, Kirkup has organized the first Annual U15 AAA Female Spring Identification Camp proudly sponsored by West-Fit Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Clinic. The camp takes place May 14th – 16th at the Flynn Arena in the Keystone Centre. “As a woman business-owner operating in the Brandon area, it is an honour to be connected to this exciting new program supporting and developing female athletes in my community,” says Sharon Shepherd BMR.PT, owner of West-Fit Physiotherapy. “It is wonderful that these young women will receive a much more expansive and competitive opportunity that many of my hockey-playing friends and myself did not have in our era decades ago. I am also proud of Amanda Coey as a colleague of WestFit Physiotherapy for volunteering in such a terrific project.”(MEDIA RELEASE from Hockey Brandon)