Shearer named captain of Brandon Wheat Kings

Brandon, Man. – As they prepare to play the Tri-City Americans in Kennewick, Washington tonight, the Brandon Wheat Kings have announced that veteran defenceman James Shearer has been named the Western Hockey League club’s new captain.

One of three local products on this year’s club, the 20-year old Shearer replaces Tanner Kaspick, who was dealt to the Victoria Royals at last week’s WHL Trade Deadline.

A former Manitoba Junior Hockey League Rookie of the Year, Shearer was also a member of the Wheat Kings’ run to win the 2016 WHL Championship and is currently in his third season with the Wheat Kings organization.

Shearer was selected as the Wheat Kings’ McDonalds Frank King Memorial Trophy winner as the club’s Most Community Minded Player last season. Entering tonight’s game – the first of three in three nights this weekend – the former AAA Midget Wheat King has 35 points (10G-25A) and 45 penalty minutes in 118 games for the WHL club.

Brandon’s alternates for the balance of the 2017-18 campaign will be defenceman Schael Higson and forwards Stelio Mattheos, Ty Lewis, Linden McCorrister and Connor Gutenberg.

Following Friday’s game, the Wheat Kings will travel to Everett to meet the Silvertips on Saturday and the Winterhawks in Portland on Sunday.

Shearer’s debut wearing the “C” in Brandon will come on Friday, February 2 (7:30 p.m. CST) when the Wheat Kings return home to host the Prince George Cougars.