A BUSY NIGHT PLANNED FOR WHEAT KINGS-HITMEN FRIDAY
Brandon, MB. – Friday night will be an exciting night to be at Westman Communications Group Place when the Wheat Kings play host to the Calgary Hitmen in a critical Western Hockey League match-up.
Not only does the game feature two of three teams currently battling for the two available wild card berths in the WHL’s Eastern Conference, members of the Wheat Kings will be donning their third and final special theme jersey of the year in support of the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex.
As well, veteran Reid Duke will be honored for playing in his 300th career game and the hockey club, in association with The Brandon Sun will introduce the first three members of the Wheat Kings Top 20 Players of All Time.
A 20-year old native of Calgary, Duke is currently in his fifth and final season in the WHL and third with the Wheat Kings.
Duke currently leads the Wheat Kings in scoring this season with 64 points, including 34 goals in 52 games. Since breaking into the WHL with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in 2012, Duke has scored 112 goals and 247 points in 304 career games.
His 300th game was played during the club’s recent 4-game road trip.
A special presentation to the Brandon center will be made by Wheat Kings’ Owner and Governor Kelly McCrimmon before Friday night’s game. Then during the first intermission, center Nolan Patrick will be recognized as the IMPACT Player of the Month.
Patrick, Duke and their teammates will be wearing one of the club’s most popular jerseys in franchise history Friday. Not only will the jersey help the Wheat Kings in their 50th Anniversary celebration, fans will have the opportunity to bid on each one in support of a great cause.
The primary color of the jersey, worn by the Wheat Kings in the early 2000’s will be black with the distinctive gold wheat sheaves dominating both arms and trim.
Fans can place a reserve bid in advance of the game by calling (204) 725-1909.
Friday’s game will be the third theme jersey night to be hosted by the club this season. Earlier this year, the Wheat Kings wore special jerseys and helped to raise over $30,000 in donations for Brandon and District United Way and Westman Dreams for Kids Foundation.
Meanwhile the Wheat Kings All Time Dream Team will begin to take shape as the club’s 4th line will be unveiled during the second period of play.
Fifty players were chosen last summer from the team’s history since it entered the Western Canada Hockey League in 1967. The WCHL’s name was shortened to the WHL in 1978.
Fans then had September, October, November and December to vote for their choice of two goalkeepers, six defencemen and 12 forwards.
The entire 20-man roster will be introduced over the course of the next four home games that include Sunday, March 5th vs. Regina, Saturday, March 11th against Prince Albert and Tuesday, March 14th vs. Swift Current.
The original list of the team’s top 50 players, in alphabetical order:
- Goalies (two of four) — Glen Hanlon, Ron Hextall, Trevor Kidd, Tyler Plante.
- Defencemen (six of 15) — Keith Aulie, Daryl Boyle, Kevin Cheveldayoff, Don Dietrich, Burke Henry, Dean Kennedy, Justin Kurtz, Brad McCrimmon, Cam Plante, Dwayne Pentland, Ivan Provorov, Ryan Pulock, Wayne Ramsey, Wade Redden, Colby Robak.
- Forwards (12 of 31) — Ray Allison, Rick Blight, Dan Bonar, Laurie Boschman, Matt Calvert, Dave Chartier, Ron Chipperfield, Ryan Craig, Cory Cyrenne, Bill Derlago, Chris Dingman, Eric Fehr, Ray Ferraro, Scott Glennie, Kelly Glowa, Jayce Hawryluk, Bobby House, Mike Leclerc, Byron Lomow, Dale McMullin, Marty Murray, Robbie Neale, Steve Patrick, Brian Propp, Darren Ritchie, Peter Schaefer, Brayden Schenn, Mark Stone, Ryan Stone, Jordin Tootoo, Terry Yake.
The Wheat Kings, who enter the weekend with a record of 28-26-7-3, currently occupy the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference. Brandon leads Calgary by eight and Saskatoon by ten in the race for the final two playoff berths. Both the Hitmen and Blades enjoy one game in hand.
Brandon will close out a busy weekend with a Sunday afternoon game against Regina.
Tickets to both weekend games, presented by Red River Mutual and Ashley Furniture, are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office. Fans can also order online at keystonecentre.com or by calling 726-3555.
