2025 WHL Graduates – Brandon Wheat Kings
Over the summer, the Western Hockey League will be celebrating the WHL Graduates from the 2024-25 season in a 22-part, team-by-team series.
Today, we begin with the graduating players from the Brandon Wheat Kings.
Nolan Flamand (F)
Hometown: Saskatoon, Sask.
WHL Career Stats: 276 GP – 67G-123A – 190 points
WHL Draft: 2019 – Second Round, 27th Overall (Kelowna Rockets)
The Brandon Wheat Kings will be on the lookout for a new high-tempo, power forward ahead of the 2025-26 WHL Season, as 21-year-old Nolan Flamand has exited the Western League as a part of the 2025 graduating class. For parts of three seasons, an energetic Flamand has acted as an offensive spark plug for the Wheaties, collecting 127 points (52 G – 75 A) in 162 games with the Manitoba-based club. Not to mention a career-high of 68 points in 67 regular season appearances in his 20-year-old season. However, Flamand’s introduction into the WHL came long before his stint with the Wheat Kings. The product of Saskatoon, Sask., was originally selected in the second round, 27th overall by the Kelowna Rockets in the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft. Making his Western League debut on March 6, 2020, Flamand would call Kelowna home for four seasons. From 2019-2023, the forward suited up in 114 games with the Rockets, collecting 63 points (15 G–48 A) and three game-winning tallies. In January 2023, Flamand was acquired in a trade deadline deal with Brandon, – swapping spots with 2005-born forward Trae Johnson and a pair of draft selections. Looking to the future, Flamand is ready to hit the books – and the ice – having committed to Merrimack College for the 2025-26 season.
🎥HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT🎥
🎶I need a hero,
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night,
He's gotta be strong, and he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be named Nolan Flamand! 🎶@bdnwheatkings | #WHLHoN pic.twitter.com/S5pmOa4d0D— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) February 4, 2024
Marcus Nguyen (F)
Hometown: Calgary, Alta.
WHL Career Stats: 284 GP – 106G-103A – 209 points
WHL Draft: 2019 – 11th Round, 234th Overall (Portland Winterhawks)
On behalf of the Brandon Wheat Kings and Portland Winterhawks, we’re sad to see you go, Marcus!
After a five-season tenure spanning over 250 appearances, Cowtown sensation Marcus Nguyen is a Western League graduate. Making his WHL debut on March 18, 2021, Nguyen broke onto the WHL scene and never looked back. After recording two points (1 G – 1 A) during the 2020-21 season, the 11th-round selection (234th overall) in the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft was motivated to make himself a frequent face on the Winterhawks roster – and did he ever. In his second season in the Rose City, Nguyen erupted for 40 points (22 G – 18 A) in 68 appearances. The stat line was enough to place him eighth in team scoring and first among Winterhawks rookies. And, as each season progressed, so did Nguyen’s ceiling. For five consecutive seasons, the Calgary, Alta., local bested his previous, season-long point total, leading to a career-high of 65 points (26 G – 29 A) in 68 games during the 2024-25 season. Nguyen’s final season as a member of the Winterhawks came in 2023-24. It was a season that saw Nguyen and his teammates march to the 2024 WHL Championship Series before bowing out to the Moose Jaw Warriors. The crafty forward was unstoppable during the run, boasting 17 points (8 G – 9 A) in 18 post-season appearances. In June 2024, a veteran Nguyen was acquired via trade by the Brandon Wheat Kings. Despite being an unfamiliar face on the roster, the 20-year-old quickly established himself as a leader in the locker room and served as an associate captain for the Club. As for next season, Nguyen is currently committed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
🎥HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT🎥
Flamand into the end zone… TOUCHDOWN, NGUYEN!@BDNWheatKings | #WHLHoN pic.twitter.com/dd40wfdPFK
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) February 6, 2025
Luke Shipley (D)
Hometown: Powell River, B.C.
WHL Career Stats: 271 GP – 41G-99A – 140 points
WHL Draft: 2019 – 6th Round, 112th Overall (Victoria Royals)
When it comes to breakout campaigns, very few have been more impressive than Luke Shipley’s during the 2024-25 WHL Season. Originally selected in the 6th round (112th overall) of the 2019 WHL Prospects Draft by the Victoria Royals, Shipley’s rise to a top defensive talent in the WHL wasn’t immediate. The product of Powell River, B.C. spent parts of three seasons honing his talents with the Royals. In 103 career appearances in Victoria, Shipley racked up a total of five goals and 21 assists for 26 points. In November 2022, the blueliner found a new home in Manitoba as he was acquired in a deal by the Wheat Kings. It was in Brandon where Shipley’s game began to flourish. In his first full season with the Wheaties, the then 19-year-old Shipley hit a new career-high in points, tallying up 36 (9 G – 27 A) in 65 games. And, Shipley wasn’t stopping there. The veteran defenceman concluded his Western League career with his best season to date. With 57 points (20 G – 37 A) in 60 games, Shipley finished tied for third in team scoring and ninth among all WHL defenceman. His 20 goals also placed him fourth in blue liners. Shipley’s milestone year was further cemented by being named an Eastern Conference finalist for the WHL’s Defenceman of the Year award and a spot on the Eastern Conference’s Second All-Star Team. Having completed his WHL eligibility, Shipley is committed to the University of Massachusetts Lowell for the 2025-26 season.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines 'donor' as "one that gives, donates, or presents something."
The Merriam-Webster dictionary also defines 'recipient' as "one that receives."
In this example, Luke Shipley is the donor and Nolan Flamand is the recipient.@bdnwheatkings pic.twitter.com/YPtTORqWYB
— Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) September 30, 2023
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