Brandon's Jalyn Elmes was named to the 2019/20 National Women's Development Team roster who will face the United States in a three game series starting this Wednesday. Elmes plays college hockey at the University of Minnesota-Duluth where she served as one of the team's two captains last season. She registered 15 points (3g,12a) in 32 games with the Bulldogs during the 2018/19 campaign, while playing defense. Deloraine's Ashton Bell, also a defensemen, was named to the team as well. Like Elmes, she too attends the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

The Wheat City Whiskey Jacks recently completed their inaugural season in the Expedition Baseball League and plans are already being discussed for next year. While the team finished dead last (12-52) in the 10-team league, General Manager Ray Walker feels there are several positives that the organization can take away from the first year. "From gates open, to first pitch, to final out, the joy and appreciation from the people in the park watching Jacks baseball was very special" said Ray. "Also, a BIG thank you to our host/billet families. The players and families have created a bond and friendship that will last a lifetime". Among the biggest hurdles the team faced was getting the word out letting the city know that there was a team in town. According to Ray some fans that attended Sunday's game had just recently heard that Brandon had a team. While the organization will take today off they will back at Andrews field on Tuesday to cleanup the park and the clubhouse. Ray tells bdnmb.ca that the recruiting process for players for next season has already begun. "Some players have expressed a desire and will return, as well there will be more new faces here in Brandon in 2020". "The city, Andrews Field Management Group, and the team will work hard in the off season on our wish list for next year." Ray Walker-GM Wheat City Whiskey Jacks. Changes/improvements the club would like to make over the off-season include having  a new all-weather sound system installed,  the chain link backstop replaced, and maybe some seating improvements too. "I feel that we really made believers out of even the most skeptical Brandon sports fans. We're getting 2020 season tickets ready for on-sale later this month" concluded Walker.

Earlier tonight Hockey Canada announced that Ridly Greig and Daemon Hunt were both named to the 22-man roster for the upcoming Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Greig had an impressive rookie campaign with the Brandon Wheat Kings registering 35 points. Like Greig, Hunt recently completed his first full season in the WHL with the Moose Jaw Warriors. The Brandon born defensemen picked up 20 points in 57 games during the regular season. The tournament runs from Aug. 5-10 in Breclav, Czech Republic and Piestany, Slovakia. Former Wheat King (2016-18), Daniel Bukac has signed a 3-year deal to play professional hockey with Liberec (Czech Republic, Extraliga). Bukac spent two seasons with the Wheat Kings before joining the OHL's Niagra IceDogs last season. Swan River's Tristan Langan signed a one-year AHL contract for the 2019-20 season with the San Jose Barracuda. Last year, as a member of the Moose Jaw Warriors, Langan finished second in the WHL in points with 113. He scored 53 goals and was named to the WHL (East) First All-Star Team.

RANDON – The legacy of the IG Wealth Management Bobcat BIRT Cup continues to grow. The alumni and charity tournament raised $44,000 for community initiatives on Friday, July 5 at the Wheat City Golf Course. Proceeds will go towards Special Olympics Manitoba Westman, Samaritan House, the Deloraine Winchester Community Complex and the Bobcat BIRT Cup scholarship to assist Brandon University student-athletes. "The IG Wealth Management Western Manitoba Regional Office is proud to be the title sponsor of the Bobcat BIRT Cup. We applaud the tournament's commitment to providing funding to local and regional organizations," said Dennis Hunt, Executive Financial Consultant with IG Wealth Management. "We have a long-standing partnership with Brandon University, supporting a number of fundraising initiatives such as the Healthy Living Centre and growth in the BU Athletics program. We are pleased to be associated with a post-secondary institution that prides itself on being at the forefront of education in western Manitoba and providing the best student-athlete experience possible." The 2019 BIRT Cup marked the second summer it has been organized by BU Athletics with the 2018 edition collecting $29,000. The Bobcats took over from BU hockey alum Scott Hlady, who ran it independently for a decade. The BIRT name stands for Basics, Intensity, Respect, Team — an acronym coined by BU Sports of Wall of Famer the late Neil Andrews while he was Hlady's baseball coach "The Bobcat BIRT Cup organizing committee is proud to give back to worthwhile causes," said Director of Athletics and Community Engagement Russ Paddock. "We had great representation from athletic alumni and outstanding support through our positive relationships with corporate partners." The business community played significant role in the success of the tournament with 101 sponsors supporting the Bobcat BIRT Cup. The lineup of autographed jerseys was stellar featuring Mark Stone of the Vegas Golden Knights, Elkhorn's Travis Sanheim of the Philadelphia Flyers, Patrik Laine and Josh Morrissey of the Winnipeg Jets, Brandon's Matt Calvert of the Colorado Avalanche and Canada's Olympic women's hockey team. A Wendel Clark signed Toronto Maple Leafs' sweater received a winning bid of $2,000 in the silent auction by Don Jago of Southern Water Systems. Brandon's Gerry Williams was the grand prize winner of the raffle – two tickets the NHL Heritage Classic in Regina on October 26 along with hotel accommodations. New champions were crowned at the Bobcat BIRT Cup with Warren Birch, Devin Moore, Josh McMillan and Craig Ruether winning the title with a best-ball score of 19-under par. The foursome will look to defend their crown at the 2020 tournament scheduled for Friday, July 10 at the Wheat City Golf Course. (Source: BU Bobcats)

The Miniota, MB native brings 11 seasons of North American and European hockey experience to his new role as head coach of the Briercrest Clippers. Cole played 6 seasons in the WHL for the Saskatoon Blades, the Seattle Thunderbirds, and the Kootenay Ice. He went on to play in the AHL and ECHL before leaving for Europe, spending 6 years playing professionally in Slovenia, Austria, and Italy. Cole finished his last year at the professional level with the Miniota-Elkhorn C-Hawks last season. This coaching role will be Cole’s first. He accepted the position after years of contact with Jamie Ramer, Briercrest Hockey’s General Mission Manager. Cole said, “Briercrest always intrigued me as it combines two of my greatest passions: a relationship with Jesus Christ and hockey. In hindsight, I wish I had come as a player years ago.” “He brings a wealth of experience from all levels of the game,” said Ramer of Cole. “He has experienced and knows what it takes to win a championship and is a great addition to the team as we move forward as a program. It has been very encouraging to get to know Brad over these last number of years.” Cole will be coaching alongside new assistant coach Matt Melo, a Briercrest alumnus. The Clippers will hit the ice for training camp August 24th. They will host Augustana for their first regular season game on October 11th. (article submitted)