Newest Wheat King Michels Happy To Call Brandon Home
It’s easy to understand why Matteo Michels might be excited to play at Westoba Place more often. After all, his two trips there this season have been some of his best games offensively.
As a member of the Regina Pats, Michels helped the Pats play spoiler on opening night as he scored twice, including a shorthanded goal, to help the Pats to a 7-6 overtime win. More recently, on November 11, he had an assist that showed off a mixture of grit and intelligence on a first period goal.
“I love this rink, I always seem to play well in this rink,” Michels said. “I got two goals that game (opening night) and I guess that’s one of the reasons why I’m here now. It’s nice to be here in this rink, I play well in this rink. I’m ready to get going.”
The appreciation for the arena goes beyond how he’s played as a visitor. Now that he’s getting to see the Keystone Centre from the other side, and enjoy the facilities available to the Wheat Kings, he’s finding new things to like about the building.
“It’s way nicer,” Michels said. “When I walked in I was like, ‘Wow, this is a WHL locker room?’ I was actually so surprised. It’s so much different than Regina.”
It’s safe to say Michels is excited to join the Wheat Kings, and they’re excited to have him. Head coach and GM Marty Murray pointed out Michels’ speed and work ethic as two major attributes of his, both of which make him a prime contender to help a penalty kill that has struggled in recent weeks.
“My speed and my skating, that’s what I bring to the table,” said Michels. “That’s what Marty has noticed in me, that I could be a good player on the penalty kill, help puck possession and and forechecking and turning over pucks.”
And while it’s been strange to come to Brandon and skate alongside players he skated against over the past three seasons, Michels said he’s found it easy to fit in with the new squad.
“All of them have been great, all of them have welcomed me, talking to me and giving me pointers and all that kind of stuff,” he said. “It’s been great.”
Michels and his new teammates have a home double header this weekend against the Edmonton Oil Kings on Friday night and Medicine Hat Tigers on Saturday. To grab your tickets, CLICK HERE.
