Former Wheat King’ Hayden Wheddon Shines at Centennial Cup

BRANDON SUN

The Niverville Nighthawks beat the host Summerside Western Capitals 4-1 on Sunday night to capture the Centennial Cup.

It’s just the fourth time a Manitoba Junior Hockey League team has won the national Junior A championship, following the Portage Terriers (2015, 1973) and Selkirk Steelers (1974).

In the final, former Brandon Wheat Kings forward Hayden Wheddon of Stonewall scored twice, including the winner. Wheddon had 12 points in 6 games at the Centennial Cup.

The Nighthawks won all six games in Summerside, beating the Toronto Patriots 4-3 in the semifinal despite falling behind 3-0. In the preliminary round in Group A, they got past Summerside 5-4 in overtime, the Thunder Bay North Stars 7-2, the Canmore Eagles 6-4 and the Rockland Nationals 7-6.

Adam Vigfusson of Gimli was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

Overall this year, Niverville went 69-6-1, winning 29 of its last 30 games.