– The Expedition League made the announcement today that the Wheat City Whiskey Jacks will be relocated to Grand Forks, North Dakota for the 2021 summer baseball season. This temporary move is necessary due to the continued border closure between Canada and the United States and the restrictions on attendance at sporting events in Manitoba. The Whiskey Jacks, who were unable to play in Brandon last season due to the border closure and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, will be back in action with a full 64-game schedule as they call North Dakota home this season. “We’re disappointed that due to the continued uncertainty regarding the border closure, and possible limits on capacity at sporting events in Manitoba, we were forced to make a very difficult decision”, said Steve Wagner, Expedition League President and Whiskey Jacks owner. “We’re committed to the City and the great fans in Brandon and Westman and we have some amazing things planned for the 2022 season.  We can’t wait to be back in Brandon with Whiskey Jacks baseball and FUN in 2022”, he added. Ray Walker, Whiskey Jacks GM stated, "We've worked really hard to put together a great Whiskey Jacks club to play in 2021.  I'm sad I won't be at Andrews Field all summer, but so happy we can show our brand of baseball to the fans in Grand Forks. I can't wait until 2022!" The Whiskey Jacks will move from Andrews Field in Brandon to call Kraft Field home this summer.  The relocation to Grand Forks is a temporary one, as that North Dakota city is the newest expansion site for the Expedition League in 2022. The Expedition League begins play on May 25, 2021, with a full slate of 12 teams, including two new expansion teams… the Mining City Tommyknockers in Butte, MT and the Canyon County Spuds in Caldwell, ID.  The Expedition League’s 2021 All-Star Extravaganza will be July 19-20 at Mike Lansing Field in Casper, WY, home of the Casper Horseheads.  Keep following the Whiskey Jacks on Social Media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and on our website at www.wheatcitywhiskeyjacks.com. (submitted)

n the fall of 2020 a third-party review identified deficiencies associated with the pool’s water, air circulation, and pool drainage systems. This review was required as a result of mechanical issues stemming from the 2016 renovations.  Continuous progress has been made in consultation with a third-party engineering firm, as well as Manitoba Health towards addressing deficiencies. Progress and construction is expected to continue through the spring and summer of 2021.  Further repairs that do not impact the permitting of the facility are expected to take place at a date yet to be determined. Repairs will align with Manitoba Health regulations for operating an indoor pool facility.  Management and staff of Brandon’s Community Sportsplex would like to thank all swimmers for their patience and look forward to seeing pool enthusiasts return in 2021.  (City of Brandon PSA)

Virden's Wyatt Kalynuk is one of seven defensemen dressed for the Chicago Blackhawks in this Saturday afternoon's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The smooth skating defensemen had registered six points over four games with the AHL's Rockford IceHogs, prior to his callup to the active roster of the Blackhawks. Kalynuk was originally drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 7th round (#196 overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the 2013-14 season with the Virden Oil Capitals, as well as 3 seasons in the USHL and 3 years at the U. of Wisconsin.

Brandon, MB - City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services would like to inform the public that due to warmer temperatures and deteriorating ice conditions, the public skating oval west of McGregor Avenue has been officially closed for the winter season. “Oval Closed” signs and barricades have been placed at the oval and all associated flood lighting will be turned off, as well as the Manitoba Hydro Power Smart Waterfall of Lights display has been turned off. The City of Brandon thanks all users of its outdoor recreational facilities for enjoying the spaces with respect and keeping them in good condition for all to enjoy.(City of Brandon PSA)

BRANDON, MB. – The Brandon Wheat Kings have announced their roster for the 2020-21 Western Hockey League season. The roster includes 16 returning players from the 2019-20 campaign and eight playing in their first Western Hockey League season. First year players include Jaxon Dube, Nate Danielson, Logen Hammett, Jacob Hoffrogge, Brett Hyland, Rylen Roersma, Connor Ungar and Tyson Zimmer. They will be looking to make an impact in their first season taking cues from the 16 returning players, in particular the team’s three 20-year-olds who are back for their final junior season; Lynden McCallum, Marcus Sekundiak and Reid Perepeluk. The Wheat Kings’ season – taking place in the hub city of Regina, Saskatchewan – will feature 24 games between the seven East Division teams (Brandon, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, Swift Current, Winnipeg) beginning on March 12th. Don MacGillivray will be stepping into his first season as Head Coach with the Wheat Kings and will be supported by assistant coaches Todd Miller and Mark Derlago, as well as video coach Dan Johnston. Behind the scenes, Scott Hlady returns as equipment manager, assisted by Jody Norminton, and William Sadonick-Carriere is back as Athletic Therapist. Player Position Birthdate Hometown Jake Chiasson F 5/25/2003 Abbotsford, B.C. Nate Danielson F 9/27/2004 Red Deer, AB Jaxon Dube F 4/24/2003 St. Albert, AB Riley Ginnell F 10/9/2002 Calgary, AB Ridly Greig F 8/8/2002 Lethbridge, AB Brett Hyland F 2/18/2003 Edmonton, AB Lynden McCallum F 1/26/2000 Brandon, MB Ben McCartney F 7/13/2001 MacDonald, MB Reid Perepeluk F 5/1/2000 Prince George, B.C. Nolan Ritchie F 5/27/2002 Brandon, MB Rylen Roersma F 7/25/2004 Lethbridge, AB Marcus Sekundiak F 4/20/2000 Oak Bluff, MB Ty Thorpe F 1/27/2002 Brandon, MB Tyson Zimmer F 9/5/2004 Russell, MB         Logen Hammett D 4/3/2003 Regina, SK Jacob Hoffrogge D 2/18/2003 Saskatoon, SK Vincent Iorio D 11/14/2002 Coquitlam, B.C. Jonny Lambos D 1/14/2001 Winnipeg, MB Chad Nychuk D 3/6/2001 Rossburn, MB Neithan Salame D 1/1/2001 Edmonton, AB Braden Schneider D 9/20/2001 Prince Albert, SK Rylan Thiessen D 2/7/2001 Brandon, MB         Ethan Kruger G 9/27/2001 Sherwood Park, AB Connor Ungar G 1/12/2002 Calgary, AB Owner/Governor Jared Jacobson Brandon, MB General Manager Darren Ritchie Brandon, MB Head Coach Don MacGillivray Winnipeg, MB Assistant Coach Todd Miller Elliot Lake, ON Assistant Coach Mark Derlago Brandon, MB Video Coach Dan Johnston Calgary, AB Athletic Therapist William Sadonick-Carriere Swan River, MB Equipment Manager Scott Hlady Brandon, MB Assistant Equipment Manager Jody Norminton Brandon, MB Fans can watch every WHL game this season by subscribing to WHL Live, for only $59.99. Single day passes are also available for $6.99, giving fans the option to watch all scheduled games across the league as well as access to archived games for 24-hours. Getting access to WHL Live on CHL TV is as simple as heading over to watch.CHL.ca on your web browser, selecting your package and downloading the brand-new app on your preferred device.(Brandon Wheat Kings Release)