WHEAT KINGS’ ALL TIME 4TH LINE ANNOUNCED
Brandon, MB. – Two former captains and one of the most popular players in franchise history have become the first three players to be named to the Brandon Wheat Kings’ All Time, presented by The Brandon Sun.
The team, as chosen by the fans, will consist of two goalkeepers, six defencemen and 12 forwards.
During Friday’s game at Westman Communications Group Place between Brandon and Calgary, the club’s 4th line was unveiled. Two members of the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup Host Team – Matt Calvert and Mark Stone – were joined by former right-winger Jordin Tootoo.
The first player of Inuit descent to play in the National Hockey League, Tootoo played four seasons in Brandon and was chosen the club’s Most Popular Player each year. A Silver medal winner with Team Canada at the 2003 World Junior Hockey Tournament in Halifax, this 2002 National Aboriginal Achievement Award winner, has spent the past thirteen seasons in the NHL, playing for Nashville, Detroit, New Jersey and Chicago.
In 220 games with the Wheat Kings – between 1999 and 2003 – the Churchill born Tootoo scored 93 goals and 209 points. In 709 NHL games, he has scored 158 points, including 63 goals.
“My deepest thanks to the city of Brandon, the Wheat Kings organization and all the fans,” says Tootoo. “Brandon will always be, for me, a piece of intense memories. Some great, and some tragic. It is also a place I will remember for the incredible fans. I credit the organization for my development and for creating the opportunity for me to pursue my dreams.”
“Thank you, also, to all of my teammates in Brandon,” he went on to say. “The times we shared represent some of the greatest experiences of my life. From my wife Jen, our daughter Siena and me, thank you.”
Like Tootoo, Stone played four seasons with the Wheat Kings and was a 2-time Eastern Conference First Team All Star and a member of the 2012 bronze medal winning Canadian team at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
In 232 career games as a Wheat King, the Ottawa Senators’ star scored 296 points, including 106 goals and is the fourth highest scoring right-winger in franchise history. Since joining the Sens, Stone has scored 75 goals and 180 points in 237 NHL games.
“Getting selected to this list is pretty cool,” says the Winnipeg native. “With all of the history of the Wheat Kings, it’s pretty special to be honoured this way.”
As for a favorite memory in Brandon?
“2010, when we hosted the Memorial Cup,” says Stone. “I had never seen such a buzz around that city. It was so special for the players, the staff, the volunteers, the fans and everyone involved.”
Chosen by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2008 NHL Draft, Calvert is a local product known for being one of the hardest working players in club history. A former co-captain and member of the 2010 Memorial Cup host team, Calvert averaged well over a point per game during his WHL career and was named to the WHL Eastern Conference All Star Team during his final year in Brandon when he scored 47 goals and 99 points.
During his three years in Brandon, Calgary scored 230 points, including 99 goals in 198 games. Since joining the NHL’s Blue Jackets, Calvert has 62 goals and 121 points.
“I’ve been a fan of the Wheat Kings for as long as I can remember,” says Calvert. “I was fortunate enough to grow up watching many great players in Brandon. Being chosen as one of the top 12 forwards of all time is an unbelievable honour. I idolized many of the players on this team as a kid and it’s surreal to be in the same category as them.”
“I have many great memories of my time in Brandon, playing in front of the best fans in the Canadian Hockey League,” he added. “Thank you for your continued support.”
Fifty players were chosen last summer from the team’s history, since it entered the Western Canada Hockey League in 1967. Fans then had September, October, November and December to vote for their choice of a 20-man roster.
The entire 20-man lineup will be introduced over the course of the next four home games that include this Sunday afternoon against Regina, Saturday, March 11th vs. Prince Albert and Tuesday, March 14th against the Swift Current Broncos.
