Brandon, MB. — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are proud to partner with the Brandon Wheat Kings in the first-ever Blue Bombers Night when the Kootenay Ice pay a visit to Westoba Place on Friday, January 18th.
In making the announcement Thursday morning, the Canadian Football League club announced that quarterback Matt Nichols will be in attendance for the game and in addition to participating in the pre-game ceremonial opening face-off, the 2-time Blue Bomber Most Outstanding Player will be signing autographs during the first intermission.
“I can’t wait to meet the community in Brandon and attend my first Wheat Kings game,” says Nichols. “Manitobans are passionate fans no matter the sport, and I’m looking forward to making the trip and meeting all the football fans out there.”
A former member of the Edmonton Eskimos, Nichols was acquired by the Bombers in September 2015 for a conditional draft pick.
During the 2016 season – his first as a full time starter for Winnipeg – the Redding, California native passed for 3,666 yards while starting the final thirteen games. One of only three CFL quarterbacks to lead their respective club to 10-plus wins in 2016, he had a streak of 166 consecutive passes without an interception.
Nichols followed up in 2017 by setting career-best marks for passing with 4,472 yards and 28 touchdowns in 17 games. His 103.8 quarterback-efficiency rating topped all CFL signal callers. He led Winnipeg to an 11-6-0 record in his seventeen regular season starts.
This past season, Nichols recovered from a pre-season knee injury, to lead the Bombers to a 10-8 record and a third place finish in the Western Conference. After beating the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Western Semi-Final, the Bombers fell to Calgary in the Western Conference Final.
During the 2018 campaign, Nichols started fourteen games, passing for 3,146 yards and eighteen touchdowns.
A four year starter with the Eastern Washington Eagles, the Business Management Major established fourteen school records and six Big Sky Conference marks. He was the Big Sky Conference Offensive Player of the Year in both 2007 and 2009. His career passing records (12,616) are the most in Big Sky Conference history.
Tickets to the January 18th game between the Wheat Kings and Ice are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office. Fans can also order online at keystonecentre.com or by calling (204) 726-3555.
Tickets are also on sale for Friday’s annual Home Depot Family Skate Night, presented by Q Country Radio, when the Seattle Thunderbirds make their first visit to Brandon in two years. Fans attending tomorrow’s game are encouraged to bring along their skates and helmets and join the Wheat Kings for a “free” post game Family Skate.
