Brandon Wheat Kings - Feed

Wheat Kings Ready to Ignite 2026-27 Season in Home Opener Against Saskatoon

Cole Fraser — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 18:15:57 +0000

BRANDON, MB – The wait is finally over.

A new season of Western Hockey League hockey arrives at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Friday, September 18, as the Brandon Wheat Kings welcome the Saskatoon Blades for the club's 2026-27 Home Opener. The matchup is part of the WHL's league-wide opening weekend schedule announced on June 18.

After months of preparation, a summer of development, and the excitement surrounding new faces and returning stars, Wheat Kings Country will once again fill the building with black and gold as a new chapter begins.

Opening Night has become one of the marquee events on the Brandon sports calendar, bringing together generations of fans who have proudly supported the Wheat Kings for decades. From the first player introductions to the final buzzer, the energy inside the rink is expected to set the tone for the season ahead.

The home opener also renews one of the WHL's most competitive rivalries. The Wheat Kings and Blades have produced countless memorable battles over the years, with every meeting featuring speed, skill, and physical play. With both clubs looking to make an early statement in the East Division, Friday night's contest promises to deliver another entertaining chapter.

Fans will also get their first opportunity to see the newest members of the Wheat Kings lineup alongside returning veterans who will lead the club into the 2026-27 campaign. The combination of youth and experience has generated plenty of excitement heading into training camp and preseason action.

Off the ice, Opening Night will feature a full game-day experience with pre-game festivities, player introductions, fan activations, and the return of the electric atmosphere that has made Wheat Kings hockey a staple in Brandon.

Whether you're a lifelong season ticket holder or bringing the family to experience junior hockey for the first time, Opening Night is the perfect way to kick off another season in Wheat Kings Country.

The puck drops on Friday, September 18, as the Brandon Wheat Kings host the Saskatoon Blades in the 2026-27 Home Opener. Make sure to secure your Season Tickets for the upcoming season!

Wheat Kings Supporting Those Who Support Us

Cole Fraser — Mon, 15 Jun 2026 13:26:58 +0000

BRANDON, MB – The Brandon Wheat Kings spent the weekend giving back to the community, proudly supporting two local fundraising events that continue to make a meaningful impact in Westman.

The organization served as a hole sponsor at the Pinkest Owl Golf Tournament held at Glen Lea Golf Course, an annual event that raises funds and awareness in support of women who have battled breast cancer.

The Wheat Kings also took part in Walk for Gordie, an event organized by former NHL forward Ryan White and his family. The walk supports Gordie White, who was diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and continues to inspire the community with his courage and resilience.

The Brandon Wheat Kings remain committed to supporting local initiatives and look forward to continuing to be an active presence in communities across Wheat Kings Country.

Pantelas leaves one last impression at combine before NHL Entry Draft

Cole Fraser — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 18:17:49 +0000

BY ROB MAHON QCOUNTRY A full season in the spotlight has left Brandon Wheat Kings defenseman Gio Pantelas lots of opportunities to show scouts who he is as a player. The last major event on the scouting calendar was his chance to show them more about himself as a person. Pantelas was one of 90 top prospects invited to the NHL Combine in Buffalo, which wrapped up over the weekend. It was a full week of interviews, events, fitness testing, and media scrums that represents the last chance for most prospects to leave an impression on the teams they hope will select them at the end of June. “I thought it was a great experience,” Pantelas said. “I really enjoyed the city itself, I got to walk around a few times. It was very well organized and everything went very smoothly.” Unlike some other attendees of the combine, Pantelas had some good insider information going into the event. His previous teammates Charlie Elick, Roger McQueen, Carson Bjarnason, and Carter Klippenstein all attended the combine prior to being drafted, and he leaned on Klippenstein in particular this season for insight into the week. He could hardly have asked for a better guide; Klippenstein was a physical beast at his combine last year. “There aren’t many events that you get to go to where it’s not hockey specific,” said Pantelas. “Going there for workouts, it scared me a little because it’s a first experience you get to go through. Having Klippenstein really guide me through it, that was amazing. Physically, he’s an amazing guy off the ice and he did awesome at the combine. He had a great experience there and I got to learn some tricks from him, and I’m very grateful for that. I’m expecting that tradition to continue,” he added, alluding to the fact that several young Wheat Kings could get the call to the combine next season. A huge part of the week is the fitness testing at the end of it, ranging from pull-ups and bench press to grip strength to vertical jumps and more. Players get put through their paces in groups with a cadre of NHL scouts and media looking on. “There were some things I would change if I were to go through it again,” Pantelas said. “But it was the first time for everyone there, there’s no returners to the combine. But I think I did well, I was happy with my results and happy with being able to go there and show off my strength, especially after such a long and grueling season.” Asked if there were any particularly tough tests at the combine, Pantelas gave the same answer that many other top prospects have given over the years, and for good reason. “The hardest one was the VO2 max and there’s not really a debate on that,” he said. “It’s at least 11 minutes of you just fighting against your will. It starts easy, but it just pushes you and the whole point of the test is to push you past your limits. It was definitely a harder test for everyone, and for me specifically. I got 12:30 and the last two and a half minutes was just me fighting, trying to give myself the motivation to keep going.” Each top prospect has an opportunity to shine in their own way at the combine. For Klippenstein, his off-ice fitness level was something he knew he could excel at. For the friendly, well-spoken Pantelas, an interview situation seemed like an ideal place to showcase his personality. “It’s a lot different being able to talk to teams over zoom or phone calls versus seeing them in person,” said Pantelas. “And the teams, they get to see you and see how you are as a person. There are a lot of things people can hide being away from in-person meetings, and I’m someone who doesn’t have much to hide. I’m a good talker. So going to those meetings, they got to see what kind of person I am, and I think that helps me a lot.” Combine interviews are well-known for presenting prospects with odd psychological questions (Klippenstein was asked, among other things, what he would do if he were on a desert island with fellow Wheat King Roger McQueen, a baseball bat, and a single bottle of water). Those questions are also sometimes accompanied by cognitive exercises (one team reportedly had players attempting to stack golf balls) and one of the eight teams Pantelas interviewed with employed a similar method of evaluation. “There weren’t any questions that really threw me off,” Pantelas said. “but one thing that did stick out, I got given a sheet of paper marked with numbers one to 100 and I had 30 seconds to find the highest numbers I could.” The combine was the latest stepping stone for a top prospect to the draft, and Pantelas has hit them all. He played for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup before the season began, he was part of Team CHL and Team WHL East at the two top prospects games, he shattered his previous career point totals with the Wheat Kings, and now he’s been through the combine. And after all that build up, the moment where he finds out his immediate NHL future is now just over two weeks away. “Going through your year, every single event matters, every game matters, the whole season matters, and there’s no part of it where you can lay low or rest,” Pantelas said. “Whatever you do, it almost feels like do-or-die and it can hurt you or push you through. So now I’m able to rest for two weeks, knowing I’ve done it all, I’ve gone through the whole year and given it my best, and being able to now just wait and take time, maybe enjoy the outdoors… it can just be me enjoying my summer, preparing for next year, and waiting for the next step.” The NHL draft is going to be held in Buffalo on June 26 and 27.

Wheat Kings officially sign first round pick Edwards

Cole Fraser — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 13:50:15 +0000

BY ROB MAHON QCOUNTRY The first member of the Brandon Wheat Kings 2026 WHL draft class has put pen to paper. The team announced today they have signed forward Rylan Edwards, their first pick, 18th overall, to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. Edwards, a Regina native, was one of nine players the Wheat Kings selected in this year’s draft. A member of the NAX U15 prep program last year, Edwards shone offensively last season with 17 goals, 26 assists, and 43 points in just 28 games. The year prior, he tore up the Saskatchewan U15 ranks, finishing with 72 points in 27 games for the Regina Aces. “It was awesome, I’m super excited to be picked by Brandon,” said Edwards of his selection by the Wheat Kings. “I can’t wait to get started.” As a Saskatchewan native, Edwards has a chance to return to the highly competitive Saskatchewan U18 AAA ranks, with which the Wheat Kings have had tremendous success lately in players like Chase Surkan, Nigel Boehm, and Cameron Allard. Edwards has said he intends to play for the Regina Pat Canadians next season. “He was one of the guys we liked a lot and coveted,” said Wheat Kings director of hockey operations Chris Moulton after they selected Edwards. “He was one of the ones we thought would be a great fit for our program.” The Wheat Kings will release their schedule for 2026-27 later this month.

McGregor gets to live childhood dream of playing for Wheat Kings

Cole Fraser — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 13:09:37 +0000

BY ROB MAHON QCOUNTRY An eight-year-old Josh McGregor, sporting a Nolan Patrick Brandon Wheat Kings jersey, would have been overjoyed to learn he would one day get to play for the Wheat Kings himself. As it turns out, 18-year-old McGregor was pretty happy too. The 6-foot-3 Brandon-born defenseman will turn 19 in less than a week, and he got an early birthday present when he was traded to his hometown Wheat Kings on May 21. If you picture a rugged, prairie-raised defenseman being traded from Swift Current to Brandon in late May, chances are you imagine him being on a farm when he finds out. Sure enough, that’s just where McGregor was. “I was at the farm in Waskada,” McGregor said. “I’d just gotten back from seeding and I was in my grandma’s house, sitting on the bed, when the GM of Swift Current called me and let me know.” It was a wonderful full-circle moment for McGregor, who had lived out a childhood dream of playing a WHL game at Assiniboine Credit Union Place but who had done so as a member of the Swift Current Broncos. Now he’ll get a chance to do so as a Wheat King. “You grow up watching the Wheat Kings, you always wanted to play for them,” said McGregor. “It’s nice that I’ll get the chance to play for them… I used to go to games in my Nolan Patrick jersey back in (2015-16) when they won. And (defenseman Ivan) Provorov, watching him play was unreal.” McGregor already knows a lot of the current Wheat Kings well, both from his minor hockey days and from training in Brandon in the offseason. His training regimen was how he met Joby Baumuller, and not only has he known Jaxon Jacobson most of his life but he also won a championship with Jacobson and Brady Turko with the U18 AAA Wheat Kings in 2023-24. “I played with Jaxon since I was about seven so it will be cool to play with him and Turks again,” he said. “It’ll be pretty cool.” There are still two full months and most of a third left in the offseason and McGregor intends to make the most of the time. Last season, playing with the Carolina Hurricanes in their rookie tournament, he learned just how hard he’s going to have to work to get to the next level. “I got to go down to Tampa for their rookie tournament, it was unreal,” said McGregor. “It was so much faster. Adjusting to the speed, and how they stay so tight to their systems, the main thing was adjusting to the speed.” And if that weren’t incentive enough, McGregor is stepping into a team with some real promise behind it and some depth at all positions. And he already knows the thrill of winning a championship with a hometown team. “I think we’re going to have a really strong season,” McGregor said. “The back end looks good, the forwards look good, the goalie, well, he (Filip Ruzicka) was unreal in that Virden series against Calgary. I think we’re going to be a good team.”

Lowther weathers twin tests on draft day

Cole Fraser — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:05:06 +0000

BY PERRY BERGSON BRANDON SUN The Western Hockey League draft can be a test of patience for players, but Wyatt Lowther passed it and another one on May 7 with flying colours. That day, he woke up early and put the draft on his television. His whole family was there and they watched a few rounds but Lowther wasn’t picked. Lowther, who was born and raised in Maple Ridge, B.C., had to go school for a test when the fourth round was being announced, and his teacher took his phone as he walked into the classroom. “I didn’t know if I was getting drafted, I didn’t know anything that was going on,” Lowther said. “I had to take my test — it was around two hours — and when I get out, I’m walking back to BWC (Burnaby Winter Club) to get picked up my mother and dad, and I had a friend run up to me. It was ‘Dude, dude, you just got drafted by Brandon.’ “Oh, I was so happy.” The Wheat Kings grabbed the 15-year-old forward in the ninth round with the 199th overall pick. Lowther’s uncle is Adrian Foster, who the Wheat Kings acquired from the Saskatoon Blades on Jan. 13, 2002 in a swap of 19-year-old forwards that sent speedy Richard Mueller the other way. Foster, a first-round pick of the New Jersey Devils, had 15 points in 14 regular-season games with Brandon, and then added 15 points in 15 playoff games, including a Game 7 winner against the Blades. After a 12-year pro career, Foster retired and now runs Acceleration Hockey by Foster in Calgary. “He texted me and said ‘Congrats on getting drafted by Brandon, it’s a great organization, you’ll have a ton of fun,” Lowther said. In 30 games this year, the five-foot-10, 138-pound forward had 10 goals, 23 assists and 56 penalty minutes. Wheat Kings director of hockey operations Chris Moulton likes what he brings to the rink as the team focused in part on getting harder to play against. “He’s a combination of compete and skill,” Moulton said. “He has the ability to create offensively and has the ability to score but also isn’t afraid to get into the trenches and play hard and do the things he has to do to create for himself and his teammates.” Lowther, who is planning to play U17 prep at BWC next winter, sees it the same way. “I’m a complete, 200-foot forward,” Lowther said. “I like to use my body and I think I’m really good off the rush and also very good in the D zone. I wouldn’t say I’m a goal scorer but I can always put one in the back of the net if our team really needs one.” He has a number of things he wants to get better at, starting with his skating — “That’s definitely a key factor of my game that I need to improve on” — his mental toughness and raising his compete level. “It’s definitely a huge relief knowing that I finally got drafted,” Lowther said. “It was always a dream but there are still always going to be people watching. It’s not just getting drafted and you’re done, it’s about all the work you have to put in now. It always gets harder.” A number of guys he played with over the years were also taken in the draft. He has been to a few Vancouver Giants games at the Langley Events Centre, which is about a 20-minute drive from his house. “I’ve been dreaming about it every single day,” Lowther said. The earliest stages of that dream began when he started skating at five and playing — always as a forward — in Ridge Meadows Minor Hockey. Lowther isn’t in any other sports competitively, but likes to golf and also was active in lacrosse and basketball. Lowther said his success stems from his folks, BJ and Stephanie. “I feel like my parents have done everything for me,” Lowther said. “They’ve always pushed me to be my best and I’m super grateful to have them. I could not be where I am now without any single person that is in my family. They’re always there. If I’m having a bad day, they’ll pick me up and put me back on my feet. “I just love having them around. They’re super supportive of everything I do, which is such a good thing to have.” It also won’t hurt to have that support as his junior career takes flight more than 2,000 kilometres from home. He has never been to Brandon before but it’s become his dream destination as he looks forward to training camp in late August. “I’ve been watching so many videos about it,” Lowther said. “I’m so excited. Being drafted by Brandon is such a huge honour. A ton of the guys have already reached out to me so I can tell it’s a very good group. “I’m super excited.”

Nuttall thrilled to make way to Brandon

Cole Fraser — Sat, 30 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

BY PERRY BERGSON BRANDON SUN The Brandon Wheat Kings make a good impression with goaltender Kasen Nuttall last season, but they made an even better one on May 7. The 14-year-old goalie, who turns 15 in August, was grabbed by Brandon in the ninth round with the 193rd overall pick in the annual Western Hockey League draft. On draft day, he was in his living room with his mother, his grandmother and his sister while his father was at work. “It was just unbelievable,” Nuttall said. “To see your name is something every kid can probably dream of in their careers. It’s the highest of highs. You know you got drafted by this team that saw you. “The first questionnaire that I got was from Brandon. They saw me and were the first people that knew I had something special in me to be part of their team. “The number one thing I loved was it was an amazing experience seeing my name on the board and everyone happy. I had no words. I was speechless.” He was born in Lethbridge and raised in Morinville, which is just north of Edmonton. The family, including parents Kelsey and Leah and younger sister Lailah, moved to Calgary when he was 14 after his father was transferred. He was about four when he learned how to skate and began to play a year later. After playing forward and defence at the time, he moved back into the net when he was six or seven. “I put on the pads when I was six and it changed my life,” Nuttall said. “I knew it was my thing. I just loved it.” The position requires a certain fearlessness to face pucks, plus the ability to accept and live with the pressure of being the final line of defence, so it’s not for everyone. Even so, the position simply made sense for Nuttall. “God knew I was supposed to be a goalie,” Nuttall said. “Helping my team is the best thing I can ever do, so being in net makes my boys feel like they can trust me, all the things I can do, they know they can trust me and do their plays. “I thrive under pressure being the guy.” Nuttall tried a lot of sports, including golf, pickleball, badminton, basketball and tennis, but hockey, and the WHL, were always tops. He attended Edmonton Oil Kings games in the past, so he had a long-standing relationship with the league. “It was so crazy,” Nuttall said. “It’s so much faster and harder. The game is so much better. In Lethbridge where I grew up, my parents were season ticket holders and went to a lot of WHL games, so my parents know a lot about the WHL and know how hard I need to work to get there and how much I need to work out and get faster, stronger to play in the next league.” His father attended some WHL camps but never played in the league. Nuttall said his parents have always been great, even taking him to special goalie sessions across the province. “They took their time, getting out of work early or just taking me to early morning skates or late night skates,” Nuttall said. “Knowing I have a talent, I’m special to them and they took the time to take me to the rink early and be there all the time. “It was putting money into me and travelling and every day on the weekend being at the rink shows how much they support and care about me as I pursue my career and my future.” If last season is any indication, it was money well invested. In 19 games with the Calgary Northstars under-15 AAA squad, Nuttall posted a 2.66 goals-against average and a .931 save percentage as his team went 22-12 and finished third in the South Division of the 20-team Alberta Elite Hockey League U15 AAA. He played once in the playoffs, allowing two goals on 43 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Lethbridge Golden Hawks. His partner Dylan Lavallée played the other two games in their 2-1 quarterfinal series loss. “For my size, I play pretty fast,” the six-foot, 140-pound goalie said of his game. “I know I can get across fast on my feet and I know I can trust myself in every position, being that guy who will always dive for that last save in the last 10 seconds of the third or the first 20 of the first period. “Making it harder for people or making it easy for myself to make those saves, that’s how I play. I want to be in positions where I can make my life easier, just in the perfect spot with good depth, tracking pucks and being the big guy who can always make the saves that don’t even look possible.” Brandon Wheat Kings director of hockey operations Chris Moulton said after the draft that the youngster is simply a good netminder. “Kasen is steady, just a steady consistent goaltender,” Moulton said. “He makes the saves he has to make, rarely lets in the bad one and keeps his team in most games.” Even so, Nuttall knows he has a long way to go to play major junior. He wants to get stronger, quicker and smarter to compete at the next level. “You know how the Dub is now, it’s fast and you have to read plays faster, which is smartness, and you have to get stronger and faster to make this plays easier for yourself,” Nuttall said. “In the off-season, it’s working out and getting ready because as you go up, the kids get stronger and can shoot harder and be so much quicker. You just have to be quicker than them.” Nuttall has never been outside of Alberta other than for a trip to Regina for a game once. That will change when he arrives in Brandon in late August for camp, something he is looking forward to. “I think it will be an amazing experience to see the guys who were drafted and seeing how everything is,” Nuttall said. “I’m excited at how you have the chance to be in Brandon and live the dream you wanted and see the facilities and all the guys, even the guys who texted me in the next couple of days after I got drafted. “They said ‘Congrats!’ and ‘Can’t wait to see you’ and those little things are so cool. It’s amazing.” Nuttall knows Austin Rideout and Nate Harrington from Brandon’s draft class, both of whom he played with a while ago. Since he is too young to skate full time in Brandon next season, he is planning to play with the U17 Northstars but will try out for the U18s. Before then, he’ll have his first WHL camp experience, and it seems the teenager will be ready to go when he arrives. “It’s great,” Nuttall said. “It’s like a new beginning for me and you’re just getting started on your new career and the Dub. I love being prepared and I love having a plan of what I’m doing and just knowing that you have to work harder now and how big of a guy you are in a big league now, so you have to be ready in every scenario.”

Seidel learns value of hard work on farm

Cole Fraser — Fri, 29 May 2026 13:00:26 +0000

BY PERRY BERGSON BRANDON SUN If work ethic is what you’re looking for, it doesn’t hurt to find a farm kid. The Brandon Wheat Kings did just that when they drafted Lucas Seidel in the eighth round with the 176th overall pick in the annual Western Hockey League draft on May 7. The young defenceman lives on a farm near Sundre, Alta., and isn’t allergic to doing what needs to be done. “I feel like my work ethic is pretty good,” said Seidel, who turned 15 on May 9, two days after he was drafted. “We have all the sheep lambing here and I’m always cleaning up pens. We have a gravel pit so I’m working there quite a bit, working on machines and helping load the gravel and shovelling sand. “When something needs to be done, you have to get up and do it. You have to gave a get-up-and-go mindset, and that helps with my work ethic quite a bit.” The farm, which includes parents Kevin and Nadine and younger sister Alyssa, also has an assortment of horses, ducks, cattle, cats and dogs. Sundre is located straight north of Calgary and about 100 kilometres southwest of Red Deer, where he was born. Seidel began to skate at age five in Sundre, and actually started to play that same day. He was positioned up front for four years until his minor U11 season, and then flipped to the back end. He was playing on a team in Olds coached by former Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose forward Jason Jaffray, and the longtime pro player thought the blue-line might be a nice fit for Seidel’s talents. It turned out Seidel enjoyed it as well. “I like that especially now that a D-man can really jump up into the play and be offensive,” Seidel said. “I really enjoy protecting the front of the net and I really like the penalty kill. I always have that urgency to make sure other teams don’t score. That’s my favourite part of it, making sure the other team doesn’t get chances or opportunities.” He has tried most sports but lacrosse is the only other one he’s still active in. Last year, he was captain of the Team Alberta that won bronze at lacrosse nationals in Halifax. When a kid lives on the farm, it’s hard to do much without the support of his parents. In addition, he is home schooled by his mom, a retired nurse who he said helps him with his health and nutrition. “They just always make sure I get to places on time,” Seidel said. “We live an hour away from all the good hockey and lacrosse so they’re always putting in extra time to drive me places and always making sure I’ve got the right-sized equipment and always looking out and feeding me right.” After playing his minor U15 campaign with the Bow Valley Bigfoot in Junior Prospect Hockey League 14 Under, he made the jump to the Red Deer Rebels for his major U15 AAA season. In 31 games, he had eight goals, 24 assists and 24 penalty minutes. “I was pretty happy,” Seidel said of his season. “I thought I developed quite a bit this year. The coaches helped a lot in practice working on things that needed improvement and always looking out for the players and making sure everyone is healthy. Our trainer helped a lot. I just thought the season was great.” The five-foot-five, 135-pound defenceman played with the top pick of the draft, forward Madden Daneault, along with the fifth pick, Jevin Morrison, so Seidel said he got better in practice just skating against them. “I do really well with my playmaking and my skating ability,” Seidel said of his game. “Those are probably my stronger suits. I also have very high IQ and always make the smart play, especially breaking out of the defensive zone. I’m a very offensive D-man and I really enjoy and thrive walking the blue-line and finding seams to pass through and get the puck on net.” Brandon Wheat Kings director of hockey operations Chris Moulton saw some of the same things when he was asked about Seidel on draft day. “He’s a puck-moving, smart, creative defenceman who can play on the power play and can be evasive and makes good decisions, and a very accurate passer,” Moulton said. Still, Seidel wants to get bigger and stronger, and is also working on his shot. “I don’t have the size and weight behind me so I have to work on having that powerful, heavy hard shot to get through traffic,” Seidel said. “I have to work on my physicality a lot and lower body strength.” The game is a part of his family. His 31-year-old cousin Adam Beukeboom played goal with the Regina Pats and Prince George Cougars and has enjoyed an eight-year career in Europe, and he is a second cousin to former National Hockey League great Joe Nieuwendyk. In addition, his father played in the Alberta Junior Hockey League and later at the University of Lethbridge. On draft day, he was in the kitchen with his folks, but after a couple of hours, his mom decided that was enough computer time for now. As a result, he was actually outside helping his father to fix a fence when his name was called. “It was really cool,” Seidel said. “Coming home I was a little bit disappointed and it was later in the draft and I didn’t know if I would get picked anymore. My mom was like, ‘Your name showed up,’ and a load lifted off my shoulders. I got really happy. “I kind of flashed back to all the training. It really came together and the stars aligned and I’m really happy with it.” He played with fellow Brandon draftee Austin Rideout during the Alberta Cup but has only skated against the other players from his province. Seidel hasn’t attended many WHL games in person, but always kept track of scores. Since his dad played in the AJHL in Olds, he’s been to more of those games. In years past before the NCAA allowed in major junior players, Seidel may chosen the college route but now he knows what he wants for sure. “It was one of the main goals,” Seidel said. “My dad was captain of the Grizzlies and I always wanted to be a captain for a junior WHL team. That’s a big goal for me.” He has never been to Brandon but has heard great things about the community and the atmosphere. His first trip east to begin his new adventure comes in late August at training camp, but until then, he’s grateful he knows where his future potentially lies. “It’s a huge relief,” Seidel said. “Knowing that you’re selected and you’re in that top 200 players in (western) North America with the Americans in the draft, it’s a huge honour. It made my day and helps me to know where I’m headed and what I need to do for the future. “It’s pretty exciting.”

Hockey looms large for Kisio family

Cole Fraser — Thu, 28 May 2026 13:00:24 +0000

BY PERRY BERGSON BRANDON SUN Lachlan Kisio is hoping to enter the family business one day, a dream that may begin with a junior position as a Brandon Wheat King. The 14-year-old forward from Calgary, who turns 15 in October, bears a last name you may heard before if you watched the National Hockey League in the 1980s and 1990s. His grandfather Kelly Kisio skated in 761 NHL regular season games over 13 seasons after graduating from the WHL’s Calgary Wranglers, and after his playing career ended, served as head coach and general manager of the Calgary Hitmen. Kelly’s sons are Brent, the former Lethbridge Hurricanes head coach, and Lachlan’s father Kurtis, who played four seasons at Minnesota State University in Mankato. Lachlan also has cousins who play, so hockey is not a small deal in the family. “It’s really important,” Kisio said. “Both my dad and my uncle played college, my grandpa played in the NHL, so it’s a big part of the Kisio family, which carries some pressure, but you have to keep playing.” Brandon grabbed Kisio in the seventh round with the 153rd overall pick in the annual Western Hockey League draft on May 7. The youngster, who was born and raised in Calgary, began to skate at age two and playing a few years later. He was also involved in soccer when he was little, then gravitated to golf. On the ice, he always skated up front, although he has shifted from centre to right wing over the years. He was taken to Hitmen games at an early age, and while he doesn’t remember them, his parents say he always enjoyed the experience. As he got older, it became a lot more important to him. “It was definitely a major goal to get drafted and play in the league,” Kisio said. “Seeing how much my family is part of the WHL, you want to keep their legacy going.” That family has been a big part of his advancement in the sport. Along with his father Kurtis and mother Kelsey, he has younger sisters Leightyn and Westyn, who both play soccer. “They always gave me opportunities and made it my choice, not pushing me to overdo it and burning me out,” Kisio said. “They were always there for me through hockey and through everything really.” One of those opportunities came at Edge School, which plays in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. He spent his minor and major seasons at the prep school, The five-foot-10, 141-pound forward was generally OK with his season last year, although he suffered one bad break that set him back. He fractured his right wrist, which was especially annoying because he’s right handed. It took him a couple of months to come back. “I had a good year,” Kisio said. “I got injured halfway through, which kind of held me back. I came back and had a really good playoff.” In 16 games, he had three goals, seven assists and two penalty minutes. In five playoff games, however, he had four goals, two assists and two penalty minutes. His minor U15 season in 2024-25 might actually provide a better indication of his offensive ability, as he piled up 35 points in 36 games. Even so, the injury absence left his status with WHL teams in question. On draft day, he was golfing with his grandpa and his father. He didn’t get selected by Brandon until they were off the course, with dad noticing first and telling him the Wheat Kings had grabbed him. “My grandpa was still at the golf course so he drove down to our house and we celebrated,” Kisio said. “It’s super cool to see how far you’ve come, making your grandpa and your parents proud seeing your name up there,” he added. He doesn’t know any other Brandon draftees personally but has played against a bunch of them. Wheat Kings director of hockey operations Chris Moulton said Kisio’s gifts are obvious for anyone who was watching closely. “He’s a hard-working, honest guy who is on the incline,” Moulton said. “He’s a late birthday (Oct. 10) who is just coming into his own and has a really good knack of finding the spots to make himself available for scoring opportunities. He has a great shot and a great release.” When asked for a scouting report on himself, Kisio sees some of the things Moulton does. “I’m a smart two-way forward who likes to use his shot,” Kisio said. “I have a nose for the net and will probably see a lot of dirty goals near the net.” He wants to make plays off the wall faster and with more urgency, and continue to build leg strength. While getting drafted is a relief for the teenager, he understands the work is just beginning. When he makes his first trip to Brandon in August, a new challenge awaits. “I’m super excited,” Kisio said. “I’ve heard many great things about all the coaching and stuff, and I feel very welcome. I got a lot of texts from players from Brandon, which felt very welcoming. I’m excited to meet them all.”

Former Wheat King’ Hayden Wheddon Shines at Centennial Cup

Cole Fraser — Mon, 25 May 2026 13:10:59 +0000

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.