Brandon Wheat Kings fans in the Westman area can look forward to sale prices on items throughout the team store this week as the BWK Market opens in the Keystone Centre’s UCT Pavillion Thursday, October 1st. The market – featuring game-worn jerseys and equipment, clothing, collectibles, replica jerseys and more, will run until October 9th and will be open from 11am – 6pm Monday to Friday and 11am – 4pm on Saturday. The Market will feature dynamic pricing where fans can purchase 1 item for 10% off, 2 items for 20% off each item, 3 items for 25% off each item and 4 items for 35% off each item. Fans will also have an opportunity to purchase a piece of history as the Market includes game-worn jerseys for more than 50% off their original price from some of the most popular players in franchise history. It will also feature replica jerseys, men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, collectibles, hats and more. Fans can expect savings of up to 35% off brands like CCM, Brand 47, New Era, Under Armour and Bar Down exclusive to the Market as the team’s online store won’t be operating while the Market is on.

BDNMB.CA had a chance recently to sit down with Daemon Hunt, the highest ranked NHL Entry Draft Brandon / Western Manitoba prospect in this year's NHL entry Draft.  The 6 foot Moose Jaw Warriors defencemen has been ranked anywhere from 44th overall to 99th.  But at the end of the day so many great NHL players were never first round picks and for the very professional spoken Hunt you can tell he has amazing focus. BDNMB  - Tell us how much attention you put into the various draft rankings? Hunt - I spend really no time looking at the rankings, honestly I am not too concerned about them. BDNMB – What does your normal day to day training look like? Hunt  – During the week I work with Paul Thompson and work on lower and upper body for up to two hours a day...then we go to the track and do quick feet drills.  Plus, I also have several on ice sessions with Dave Lewis and played in the Wendy’s Summer League. BDNMB – Your mother is a fitness guru, and also meal planner, does she influence your training program? Hunt – When I was younger she trained me more, she really helped me with food and she makes great healthy meals. BDNMB – Your dad appears to be modest and humble around the rink, tell us a bit about your hockey growth and how your dad helped? Hunt - Well my dad loves the game and watching me play and develop he was never that crazy hockey dad and gave me time to get better.  My dad was always coaching up until midget and my parents sacrificed so much for where I have got to...the draft will be a reward for my family. BDNMB – This will be the unknown year, (when and if the season does start) does this effect you mentally at all? Hunt - it’s not easy not knowing and last year I was hurt and only played 27 games so mentally this isn’t easy but I am trying to learn the process and hope everything works out.. BDNMB – Do you have a skill that people don’t know about? Hunt – I love to draw and paint and would like to start a business designing clothes. BDNMB.CA wishes all the best to Daemon Hunt and the upcoming NHL draft on October 6th and 7th.

Brandon, MB – City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services is pleased to announce the completion of a pair of recreational court resurfacing projects, with plenty of time still left in the season for enthusiasts to get a few good matches in before any winter snow flies! Responding to overwhelming demand from the community, the former tennis courts at Stanley Park have been resurfaced to create six new pickleball courts near the corner of 15th Street & Lorne Avenue. This paddleball sport combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis and is rapidly gaining in popularity amongst Brandon residents as a sport for people of all ages. These pickleball courts have been very popular since their opening in early September are available free to the community on a first-come, first-served basis. This past weekend, the four tennis courts at the Wheat City Golf Course, located at 3500 McDonald Avenue, re-opened following resurfacing improvements. Information on how to book the courts can be found online here or by calling the Wheat City Golf Course Pro Shop at 204-728-2299. Four tennis courts are also available for free public use in Queen Elizabeth Park on a first-come, first-served basis and can be accessed just north of the intersection of 26th Street and McDonald Avenue. For more information about the recreational amenities available at any of Brandon’s greenspaces, visit https://www.brandon.ca/greenspaces. (CITY OF BRANDON PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT)

Perry Bergson is an extremely hard working Brandon Sun sports writer who has been doing an outstanding job covering the Brandon Wheat Kings for the past five seasons. He started at the Brandon Sun in 1989, spent three years in Prince Albert, before returning to the Sun in 2005. Perry has a University degree from the Brandon University and a College diploma at Holland College in Charlottetown, P.E.I. In addition to working at the Brandon Sun, he has also worked at the Dauphin Herald and Prince Albert Daily Herald. 1. We understand you appreciate a good cup of coffee, who makes Brandon's best cup: I'll tell anyone who listens that my favourite coffee spot is the one in front of me. When I need coffee badly, the gas station cup is as good as the high-end one from a dedicated coffee shop. Also, since I have Icelandic heritage, I'll happily drink three-day-old coffee as long as it hasn't turned green. 2. What former/current Wheat King would one day make a great journalist: Great question. Jonny Lambos off the current team and Duncan Campbell in the past. 3. Buffalo wings or loaded nachos: Loaded nachos every time. 4. What is a typical day at work like when the Wheat Kings have a home game: I get to work around 3, do what I can to help the department and get to the rink around 6. I spend some time in the scouts room, chat with the visiting broadcaster (who I sit beside) and do my final game prep. Since our deadlines are tight, I have my game story 90 per cent done at the final horn and run down for my interviews. I'm generally leaving the Keystone about an hour after the game is over. 5. Outside of covering hockey, what other sport do you enjoy covering most for the Brandon Sun: I love baseball and rugby is growing on me because of its community. 6. Three most commonly used apps on your phone: VoiceRecord, Twitter and Gmail. 7. When you are not at the office/rink, what do you do to unwind and relax: My bikes are old but they like to get ridden. My dog and I enjoy her walk every afternoon. I also watch a lot of really old films with my wife. 8. How have things changed since you started working in this industry: When I started, we were pre-Internet working on pretty rudimentary computers. Now a world of information lies out there that I can access from my Mac, which is the industry standard. 9. Three movies everyone should have in their movie library: Sunset Boulevard, The African Queen, Casablanca. (Citizen Kane, The Seventh Seal, High Noon, Being There, My Dinner With Andre, Goodbye Mr. Chips and A Fish Called Wanda are in the discussion. Is that cheating?) 10. Dream dinner party guest (4): (ALIVE) Podcaster Dan Carlin, musician John Hiatt, journalist Christiane Amanpour and comedian Jim Jefferies.  (DEAD) Actor Katharine Hepburn, writer W. Somerset Maugham, musician Tom Petty and journalist Mike Wallace. (Not counting family members.) 11.  Should the WHL not operate this season, will you be providing up to date coverage of the local Wendy’s Winter Hockey League:  Haha. Nice try. 12. Most underestimated Brandon Sun staffer: My Prince Albert compatriot Tyler Clarke. 13.  Did the Wheat Kings sale surprise you: No, there had been rumours, but I guess it's still a bit of a shock when it happens. Kelly McCrimmon was synonymous with the team for three decades. 14. Would you compare yourself to Bill Ranford when you played in goal: I actually remember Bill being in Portage, and when I interviewed him, we talked about his time there. Other than both of us being emotional guys in net, one of us was real good and the other became a hockey writer. We both ended up exactly where we belonged. 15. Favorite food stop when on the road with the Wheat Kings: There's a story here. When I was in Kent, Wash., with the team in the 2016 final against the Seattle Thunderbirds, I was on a tight food budget. Every afternoon, I walked several blocks to Olive Garden because I knew I could gorge myself on pasta, salad and breadsticks. I don't know if I've been to an Olive Garden since but it was a lifesaver that week. 16. Sammy Hagar or David Lee Roth: Sammy Hagar, just because of a solo song he released in 1997 called Amnesty Is Granted. 17. If you have a pair of 8’s and the dealer has a 9 in blackjack what do you do: I'm a chicken. Fold. 18. Favorite three streaming programs: This will firmly establish me as someone who sits and yells at kids to get off my lawn, but I've never watched a minute of a streamed show. South Park is my current favourite TV show, and Six Feet Under is my old favourite. 19. Who inspires you: My parents are great people who always work hard and value the concept of giving back. They've made a lifelong volunteer of me, and instilled a strong work ethic. 20. Have you made someone cry: It happens in interviews occasionally when you're discussing emotional topics. It's never easy because people people are sharing their most intimate thoughts.

On September 4, 2020, the MJHL announced that an expansion franchise had been awarded to 50 Below Sports + Entertainment for the upcoming 2020-21 season. The team will operate as The Winnipeg Freeze Hockey Club and Josh Green will be the first Head Coach and General Manager in franchise history. Green spent five seasons the WHL as a player and appeared in 341 NHL games over the course of his professional career. The MJHL also released the game schedule for 2020/21 yesterday. The first ever regular season game for the Freeze will be against the Steinbach Pistons on October the 9th.