Courtesy: Vegas Golden Knights VEGAS – March 6, 2017 – Vegas Golden Knights General Manager George McPhee announced today, March 6, that the team has signed free agent forward Reid Duke from the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League to a three-year entry level contract. This marks the first player transaction in Vegas Golden Knights history. Duke will finish his Western Hockey League season with the Wheat Kings and is expected to join the Golden Knights for their inaugural Development Camp this summer (details and timings of the Golden Knights inaugural Development Camp will be announced at a later date). Because both individuals are currently out of market, McPhee and Duke are expected to be available to media via conference call on Monday, March 6 (McPhee is at the NHL GM Meetings in Boca Raton, Florida while Duke is with his club in Brandon, Manitoba). The timing of the call is tentatively set for 4:00 p.m. PT on Monday and will be confirmed in a follow up media advisory. Details of the conference call will be included in that follow up advisory. Please note this call is subject to change. During his current season with Brandon, the 21-year-old Duke has tallied 35 goals and 32 assists for 67 points and 69 penalty minutes. The 35 goals and 67 points lead all Wheat Kings players. This year marks his second career 30-goal season, as he notched 33 goals to go along with 29 assists during the 2015-16 season with Brandon. Duke has played five seasons in the WHL with Brandon and the Lethbridge Hurricanes registering 112 goals and 135 assists for 247 points and 317 penalty minutes in 304 games. The 6’0’’, 190-pound native of Calgary, Alberta was originally drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the sixth round (169th overall) of the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); KALE CLAGUE SIGNS WITH LOS ANGELES KINGS (Courtesy of LA Kings) The LA Kings have signed defenseman Kale Clague to a three-year entry-level contract, Kings President/General Manager Dean Lombardi announced today. The 18-year-old Clague (born June 5, 1998) is a 5-11, 181-pound native of Regina, Saskatchewan who has appeared in 45 games this season with the Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL), posting 38 points (5-33=38) and 39 penalty minutes. He currently leads team-defenseman in points and assists, and ranks second in goals. He also has two shorthanded goals, tied for most among defensemen in the WHL. A second-round (51st overall) selection of the Kings at the 2016 NHL Draft, Clague has appeared in 138 games over four seasons with Brandon, recording 94 points (15-79=94), a plus-18 rating and 99 penalty minutes. During the 2016 WHL Playoffs he helped lead the Wheat Kings to the Championship, posting 14 points (6-8=14), a plus-5 rating and eight penalty minutes. Brandon currently leads the Wild Card race in the Eastern Conference with seven games left in the regular-season

A post on their official web site indicates that the OCN Blizzard, of the MJHL, will return to the ice for the 2017-18 season. According to a report released by the OCN Blizzard Board of Directors, the Opaskwayak Cree Nation Chief and Council passed a motion (by a vote of 5-3) to submit intent to allow the hockey club a future season based out of the GLMC, pending MJHL approval. “I would like to thank Chief and Council for allowing us to work things out and make things better with the OCN Blizzard hockey club. It is great news to hear the Blizzard are taking steps to be back in the MJHL beyond the 2016-17 season.” Blizzard Board Chair Dan Moore In December of 2016 the public was informed that the Blizzard operations would cease to exist following the 2016/17 season. It appears as though public support from all communities in the north, along with a new budget proposal, was enough to save the Blizzard...at least for the time being. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});     Photography courtesy of andrebrandt.com  

Brandon Universitry Bobcats Media Release   BRANDON - The Brandon Bobcats have doubled their chances for success at the Western Canadian University Curling Championships in Edmonton this weekend. Janelle Vachon is back for a second straight year to skip the women's team, while Shayne MacGranachan leads the men's team into westerns for the first time. "The success that the women's team had last year helped pave the way for us to get involved," said MacGranachan. "It is pretty cool to join them as Bobcats." In 2016, Vachon and her team of Kaitlyn Payette, Hayley Surovy and Camille Lough had a top-three finish at the westerns en route to placing fifth at nationals. The rink also earned individual accolades with Payette being recognized with a national sportsmanship award. "The most important thing that we learned last year was how the four of us work optimally as a team, and what it takes for all of us to get the best out of each other in every game," said Vachon. "This year we can take that and use that to our advantage in games." Vachon's 2017 schedule has been busy in the buildup towards westerns. She took part in the Manitoba Scotties Tournament of Hearts and the Grand Slam of Curling's Canadian Open while playing second for Winnipeg's Briane Meilleur. "Both events are almost a week long and can be a lot of games," added Vachon. "You have to stay mentally and physically tough from start to finish. The events have definitely helped me work at staying mentally focused, which will be important coming into westerns as the skip." (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Meanwhile, MacGranachan's BU foursome includes Bryce Cisyk, Marc Vachon and Beau Bridgeman. "I think we are ready to go as a team," said MacGranachan. "The biggest challenge is that we do not know much about the other teams. We are as ready as we think we need to be." MacGranachan made his mark on the local curling scene by winning the Westman Junior Super League three times. In 2014, he skipped his rink to a 15-and-1 round-robin record before cruising through the playoffs with three straight wins. His resume also includes helping former world junior champion Braden Calvert capture the U18 men's provincial championship in 2013 and last year MacGranachan made his debut at the Viterra Men's Provincial Curling Championship with veteran skip Terry McNamee. "I have played in a handful of provincial championships before, but I have never been outside the province to play," added MacGranachan. "We are looking forward to it." BU has a proud curling history with Mike McEwen winning a national university title in 2002 and a gold medal at the World University Games in 2003. Last fall, McEwen was enshrined into the BU Sports Wall of Fame and he followed up his induction by capturing a second straight Manitoba title to book his spot in the Brier. Our current Bobcat teams are trying to follow in McEwen's university footsteps by reaching the U SPORTS-Curling Canada Championship in Thunder Bay from March 18-22. Both BU rinks will need a top-two finish in the four-team field at westerns to qualify for nationals. "We would love to get one of those spots. Two spots with four teams gives us a fairly good chance and then we get to travel in the other direction," added MacGranachan. The Bobcats are going up against the Alberta Golden Bears/Pandas, the Regina Cougars and the Lethbridge Pronghorns at the westerns with the championship running Friday through Sunday. Our men's curling roster and schedule can be found here, while the roster and schedule for the BU women's rink can be found here.    

Brandon Wheat Kings Media Release Brandon, MB. – In celebration of the hockey club’s 50th Anniversary in the Western Hockey League, the Brandon Wheat Kings are excited to announce plans for their third and final Special Theme Jersey Night of the 2016-17 campaign. The defending WHL champions, in association with the Brandon Rotary Club Westman Foundation, have announced that on Friday, March 3rd against Calgary, the Wheat Kings will be taking to the ice wearing one of their most popular jerseys in franchise history. The jerseys, which were worn at the turn of the Century by such stars as Ryan Craig, Tim Konsorada and Lance Monych, will be auctioned off throughout the game in support of the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex. During these years, the Wheat Kings captured back to back Eastern Division pennants and wound up losing to Red Deer in the Conference Final. The primary color of the March 3rd jersey will be black with the distinctive gold wheat sheaves dominating both arms and trim. In addition to the auction, fans attending the March 3rd game will have the opportunity to purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win a number 22 jersey, featuring the name bar of current Chicago Blackhawk right-winger Jordin Tootoo. “We want to thank both the Wheat Kings and the Rotary Club of Brandon for their ongoing support of our project,” says Committee Member Brett Turner. “All of the new diamonds on our new facility will be in use this summer and everyone’s support of this jersey auction takes us closer to building the next phase of our project.” Fans can place a reserve bid in advance of Friday’s game by calling (204) 725-1909. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});   Friday’s game will be the third Theme Jersey night to be hosted by the Wheat Kings this season. Earlier this year, the hockey club wore special theme jerseys and helped to raise over $30,000 in donations for Brandon and District United Way and Westman Dreams for Kids Foundation. While proceeds of the jersey auction will be going to Softball Complex, located north of McGregor Avenue in Brandon, this game has been made possible through the support of the local Rotary club and Spokesman Allan Little says that serving the community is what they’re all about. “The Rotary Club of Brandon and the Rotary Club Westman Foundation are proud supporters of this complex,” says Little. “The total rotary commitment to this project is $100,000 over five years. We are pleased to report that we are ahead of schedule on our commitment.” “We’re also honoured to be a part of the Wheat Kings’ 50th Anniversary season,” he went on to say. “Of the many jerseys worn by the Wheat Kings in the past fifty years, this one has to be among my favorites,” says Wheat Kings’ Director of Business Operations and Sponsorship Rick Dillabough. “Thanks to the local Rotary Club, our fans will have the chance to look back and remember when guys like Tootoo, Craig and Konsorada were leading the Wheat Kings.” “Helping to raise proceeds for an exciting project like the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex is an added bonus to be sure,” he went on to say. For more information on Friday’s plans, you can email ashleyneufcomplex@live.ca. Over $40,000 was generated during last year’s theme jersey auctions, benefiting the United Way and Canadian Cancer Society. On the ice, the Wheat Kings close out a 4-game road trip Tuesday night in Swift Current, before returning home to host Lethbridge on Wednesday. Tickets to all remaining home games in March, including Friday’s against the Hitmen, are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office. Fans can also order online at keystonecentre.com or by calling (204) 726-3555. ABOUT THE ASHLEY NEUFELD SOFTBALL COMPLEX: The Westman Softball Association along with the Westman Adult Orthodox Leagues, Brandon Slo-Pitch League and the Westman Old-Timers have undertaken a project to build a new softball facility in the City of Brandon. This project will address the growing need for ball diamonds in the city, replace facilities recently lost, provide safe playing conditions, provide a venue to host tournaments, Provincial, Western and National championships as well as increase economic benefits for the community through additional softball events. ABOUT BRANDON ROTARY CLUB WESTMAN FOUNDATION INC.: Provide funding to registered charities and other not for profit organizations, in support of youth, health and humanitarian causes. Receipt of funds to grow the foundation from the parent organization and other interested parties.  

The buzz around Canadian Wrestling's Elite is at all time high fresh off the highly successful New Heights Tour and the organizations first wrestling convention last night. In line with the huge success of the Legends of Wrestling Convention, CWE has finalized a deal that will have the 8th Anniversary Tour headlined by the man who headlined the first ever WrestleMania, "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff! It was with much disappointment that Paul Orndorff wasn't able to make the convention yesterday due a travel documentation issue but that is being corrected and he will be making it up in a big way over SIXTEEN events across 4 Canadian provinces April 21st-May 6th! This will be "Mr. Wonderful's" first international wrestling tour since he was an active wrestler over 25 years ago, and although he is no longer wrestling and just making an appearance, he made it very clear to management that he is still the toughest SOB the business has ever seen. If anyone thinks they will be making a name for themselves at his expense they will have another thing coming much like Hulk Hogan did with The Great Betrayal over 30 years ago! On top of making a special appearance on the event "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff will be participating in a very special meet and greet session prior to the event allowing fans the opportunity for pictures and autographs with the WWE Hall Of Famer! See "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff on the following events, Apr 21st- Prince Albert, SK Apr 22nd- Saskatoon, SK Apr 23rd- St. Albert, AB Apr 24th- Red Deer, AB Apr 25th- Calgary, AB Apr 26th- Medicine Hat, AB Apr 27th- Regina, SK Apr 28th- Moosomin, SK Apr 29th- Yorkton, SK Apr 30th- Virden, MB May 1st- Reston, MB May 2nd- Souris, MB May 3rd- Brandon, MB May 4th- Gladstone, MB May 5th- Winnipeg, MB May 6th- Thunder Bay, ON Stay tuned for upcoming announcements for the 8th Anniversary Tour including the return to CWE of two active Ring Of Honor superstars! For full tour information stay posted to www.cwecanada.ca   (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});