Wheat Kings draft Russian defenceman, Patera inks deal with Vegas Golden Knights

The Brandon Wheat Kings drafted 17-year old Russian defenceman Yaroslav Busygin 39th overall in Tuesday’s Canadian Hockey League Import Draft. The  6’2”, 170 lb blueliner skated with 3-different teams in 2019/20, including time in Russia’s top junior hockey league.

From Tuesday’s release: “He’s a really dependable, smart defenceman who played the off side in a difficult league. We look forward to getting Yaroslav to Brandon and accustomed to our community”, says Wheat Kings General Manager, Darren Ritchie.

Patera inks deal with Vegas Golden Knights

21-year-old Czech native Jiri Patera signed a 3-year entry level contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. Patera was a sixth-round pick (No. 161) by the Golden Knights in the 2017 NHL Draft. He spent the past two seasons playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings and was recently named the WHL’s Eastern Conference Goaltender of the Year the 2019-2020 season.