Wheat Kings get Duke back; Provorov sticks with Flyers

Brandon, MB. – The Brandon Wheat Kings received some welcome news Monday night when they learned that veteran Reid Duke was heading back to the defending Western Hockey League Champions.

A 20-year old Calgary product, Duke had been skating with the New York Rangers American Hockey League affiliate in Hartford.

Acquired by the Wheat Kings in a multi-player deal with the Lethbridge Hurricanes in September 2014, Duke has spent the past two seasons in Brandon. Scoring 53 goals and 113 points in 120 games. During the 2015-16 campaign, he had career highs in goals (33), points (62) and games played (68).

A member of Team Canada at the first ever Winter Youth Olympics in 2012, Duke is expected to be back in Brandon on Tuesday.

While Duke is heading back to the Wheat Kings, the same can’t be said for all star defenceman Ivan Provorov as Philadelphia has announced that the former first round draft choice has made the Flyers roster for the 2016-17 National Hockey League season.

“Those kids made this team on their own,” says Flyers’ general manager Ron Hextall, talking about both Sarnia Sting Travis Konecny and the Russian blueliner, who was chosen Top Defenceman in the Canadian Hockey League last season. “They’re not on the team because anyone felt like politically or anything else. They made this team on merit and our plan is to keep them the whole year.”

“If I felt either player wasn’t ready to be here the whole year, they wouldn’t be here right now,” the former Brandon goalkeeper went on to say. “There’s a certain enthusiasm and energy that they bring. I think when you become an older player and watch younger players see how excited they are to play in new rinks, to play every night and to play in the NHL…it’s really refreshing. It kind of takes you back to realizing how fortunate you are to be playing in the NHL>”

Reid’s return from the Rangers leaves the Wheat Kings with four overage players. Joining him are forwards Duncan Campbell and Tyler Coulter as well as goalkeeper Jordan Papirny. WHL teams are permitted to carry three so the Wheat Kings will be forced to make a decision in the next two weeks.

On the ice, the 2-2-1-0 Wheat Kings return to action Tuesday night with a game against the 5-3-0 Portland Winterhawks.

This is the first “2 for Tuesday” of the 2016-17 season, which means fans will receive a “free” ticket when they purchase one at the regular admission price. As well, Westman Place will be offering a number of specials on concessions.

Tickets to the game are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling (204) 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com

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