The 2020 WHL Bantam Draft is scheduled to take place online on Wednesday, April 22. Currently, Calder Crossin and Carter Dittmer remain the only two Brandon ranked prospects (Western Elite Hockey Prospects) entering this year's draft. As of March 16th, Crossin was ranked 83rd while Dittmer checked in at number 133 among the 231 ranked prospects. The pair were teammates this past season on the Bantam AAA Wheat Kings which competed in the Winnipeg AAA Bantam 1 Division (WPG B1). Crossin, a defensemen, registered 49 points in 36 games on the strength of 12 goals and 37 assists. In a recent interview with WEHP, Crossin stated "Draft day will be an exciting day for a lot of great players and their families. If I get the chance to hear my name called, that would be really special." Dittmer, a forward, managed to score 42 goals in 33 games, He also chipped in with 20 assists. His 42 goals left him tied for 5th overall in final regular season goal scoring in league play. According to the report, Parkland Rangers Brayden Dube is Manitoba's top rated prospect at number 19. Dube tore up the league offensively this season racking up a whopping 130 points in just 36 games. Ranger teammates Kyan Grouette (63), Aiden Ziprick (94) and Carter Zalischuk (175) were also included among the 231 players ranked. The Brandon Wheat Kings have the 13th overall selection at this year's draft for players born in 2005.

Goaltender Jiri Patera was yesterday's big winner as the Brandon Wheat Kings dished out their team rewards for the season.  The 20-year old received four awards including being named the hockey club’s Meighen Haddad LLP Most Valuable Player, the Art Marshall Memorial Trophy winner for being chosen the Top Graduating Player, the Canad Inns 3 Stars winner as well as the Shoppers Drug Mart Fans Choice. Other award winners: Keystone Centre’s Most Sportsmanlike Player Award: Vincent Iorio Maggie Janz Scholastic Player: Vincent Iorio Mike Adamski Hardest Working Player: Braden Schneider  Brad McCrimmon Memorial Trophy for the Top Defenceman: Braden Schneider Brandon Sun Scoring Champion – Luka Burzan MNP Rookie of the Year Award – Jake Chiasson Manitoba Hydro Turk Broda Award – Top Manitoban – Ben McCartney UCT Dennis Truscott Award – Most Improved Player – Ridly Greig Coca-Cola Rob Stouffer Award – Most Inspirational Player – Marcus Sekundiak Precision Toyota Unsung Hero Award – Dom Schmeimann McDonald’s Frank King Trophy – Most Community Minded Player – Connor Gutenberg, Lyndon McCallum. This year marked the first time that players have shared the prestigious Frank King award.

Staying in shape, both physically and mentally, has become a major challenge for almost everyone these days. Gyms are closed, team practices are cancelled, and social gatherings are limited leaving everyone looking for alternative ways to stay in shape and get their workouts in. We recently dipped into our contact list to check-in with a few athletes to discover how they are currently staying active during this difficult time. Micheal Ferland (Vancouver Canucks): I've just been training out of my house and doing home workouts. I have an air-bike and a treadmill I've been working on. Hayley Shanks (golf, Valley City University Vikings): I think one of the biggest things now is focusing on a healthy mindset and hoping for a brighter future. Home workouts and using the tools and resources I have from Valley City are helping me stay in shape during this time. Brock Trotter (pro-hockey player): I have been practicing yoga to keep up with my mobility, running daily for my cardiovascular health, and eating as clean as possible to boost my immune system. But, I would also recommend a spicy chicken combo from Wendys drive-thru at least twice a week. Hans Befus (BU Bobcats): One way that I am staying fit through this situation is by running on a treadmill my parents own and also performing mini circuits in my basement. You don't always need all the equipment and gadgets, as long as you are pushing yourself and getting a sweat, you can maintain the same fitness level as before. Jalyn Elmes (hockey, University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs): During this difficult time it’s definitely been hard to keep up with a normal routine because everything is closed including the gyms. When it comes to staying in shape during this pandemic I’ve resorted to using my basement area as a small gym and running outside with my dog. It’s nothing crazy but i was able to find some old weights my dad had stored in our garage and I’ve put heavy objects (my text books) in a backpack to wear during a workout to amp things up just a little. Anything is better nothing and my oldest brother (Josh) and I have been making do with what we have. Plus my dog is loving this because he gets several outings a day. It’s definitely a challenge but staying home is the safest option and we’re completely in favor of that. Robin Roberts (football, U of M Bisons): I have been going out for a jog daily around the block with my dog. I am also doing some calisthenics, core circuit training, and body weight exercises from the house. I would also like to get back into yoga. Angie Ball (cross-fit): Lol hmmm Personally for me I’ve put a lot of work in to my training and having to stop isn’t an option. I’ve been training a long time and have accumulated enough equipment to set up a gym in my garage. My coach Nathan Corrigal has also changed all of my programming to fit the equipment I have and I’ve been lent some equipment from my gym Embark Fitness. What I’ve noticed since the start of the gym shut downs is most gyms are lending equipment out to their members and offering online programming, remote programming, nutrition advise and coaching. If anyone wanted to start working out or yoga now is really a great time because everyone is offering programming for free on the internet. Exercise is also a great way to forget about the things happening in the world for the hour or two you training and it’s a great stress reliever.

The Brandon Wheat Kings selected two forwards (Zach Nehring, Ty Henricks) in today's first ever WHL U.S. Prospects Draft for players born in 2005. The two were teammates this season with Shattuck-St. Mary’s, a prep school in Faribault, Minnesota. Nehring was selected 17th overall in the 1st round, while Henricks was selected 28th overall in the 2nd round. The 2020 WHL Bantam Draft will be conducted online on Wednesday, April 22. The Wheat Kings have the 13th overall selection at the draft.

Former Brandon Wheat King, Colton Waltz was named the 2019-20 ACAC Men's Hockey Top Scholastic Achiever. Waltz currently is a member of the NAIT Ooks where he is also team captain. He spent several seasons patrolling the blueline for the Wheat Kings before finishing his junior career in Saskatoon with the Blades. Zach Whitecloud agreed to a two-year, $1.45 million contract extension with the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Whitecloud recently took a turn answering our 20 questions. The ACC Cougars women's hockey team continue to add to their roster for the 2020-21 season. Cora Fijala and Madison Barteaux recently committed to the program.