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Everett Silvertips general manager Mike Fraser of Brandon hoists the Ed Chynoweth Cup after the Silvertips beat the Prince Albert Raiders 7-2 in Game 5 of the Western Hockey League final at the Art Hauser Centre to win the championship. (Mark Peterson/Prince Albert Raiders) May 15, 2026

Brandonites cherish WHL crown

Perry Bergson 19 minute read Yesterday at 9:06 PM CDT

When the Ed Chynoweth Cup was presented to the Everett Silvertips in Prince Albert last Friday, three Brandonites helped lift it.

General manager Mike Fraser, overage forward Nolan Chastko and callup forward Reid Nicol were all part of the wild celebrations at the Art Hauser Centre as they earned the Western Hockey League crown with a 7-2 victory over the host Raiders in Game 5 to take the best-of-seven final 4-1.

“It never felt real,” Chastko said. “We were up by a few goals and we knew that we could get the job done but still, you’ve got the nerves and everything. When that final buzzer hit, it was ‘Holy smokes, we did it!’ “It was what we talked about all year and everyone had that thought in the back of their head that we want to win this year. For that final buzzer to go off and for us to win was just unbelievably special.

“It was a moment I’ll have for the rest of my life.”

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Hockey

Stonewall’s Hayden Wheddon poses with the Turnbull Cup after the Nighthawks won their first-ever Manitoba Junior Hockey League title at Tundra Oil & Gas Place on April 23. Wheddon and Niverville swept the Virden Oil Capitals in four games. (Massimo De Luca-Taronno/The Brandon Sun)

Wheddon overcomes hardships with Nighthawks

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 12 minute read Preview

Wheddon overcomes hardships with Nighthawks

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 12 minute read Yesterday at 9:04 PM CDT

It shouldn’t be a shock if Hayden Wheddon ever frames a poster in his room that reads, “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

The 20-year-old Niverville Nighthawks forward began his junior career and had been doubted, thrown to the curb, at times and even contemplated whether lacing up the skates was worth it anymore, but he stuck with it, prevailed and is now reaping the rewards with a gold medal around his neck. Actually, make that two.

“When the clock went down, I think it was one of the best moments of my life for sure, if not the best,” said Wheddon of his team being crowned a national Junior A champion. “I’m just really proud of those guys and how they all came together.

“It’s been lots of emotions, for sure. Lots of highs, it’s been pretty surreal as well, so I’m just trying to soak it all in. It’s been a busy last couple days, but we’ve all been in good spirits and really enjoying it, so now I’m ready to celebrate back home here.”

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Yesterday at 9:04 PM CDT

High School

Crocus Plainsmen Ben Ibitoye, centre, celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal of the city boys soccer semifinal on Wednesday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Captain Ibitoye lifts Plainsmen into final

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Captain Ibitoye lifts Plainsmen into final

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Updated: 9:24 AM CDT

Ben Ibitoye knows one mistake can change a playoff game.

But he made sure his Crocus Plainsmen didn’t play scared as they dropped the Neelin Spartans 2-0 in the Brandon High School Soccer League boys semifinal at Neelin on Wednesday.

“We had a lot of talk before the game. The boys made up our mind that we were going for the win,” said Ibitoye, who broke through late in the first half for the game-winning goal.

“Like I said at the start of the season, we were very hungry, we just took a long time to show that. Now we’re getting the motivation and mentality to go into games to win. Practices were intense, competition was hard, so we built up the pressure from there.”

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Updated: 9:24 AM CDT

Local Sports

Bobcats add Israeli guard Zehavi

1 minute read Yesterday at 9:03 PM CDT

The Brandon University Bobcats signed Israeli Orie Zehavi for the 2026-27 Canada West men’s basketball season.

The six-foot-six guard played for Maccabi Effie Capital Rishon Le-Zion of the Israeli Winner League.

Zehavi was not available for comment on Wednesday. See Friday’s paper for the full story.

» The Brandon Sun

Local Sports

Sports Looking Back: May 21, 2026

1 minute read Yesterday at 9:02 PM CDT

IN LOCAL HISTORY

• 40 YEARS AGO — Joan Horner’s two goals gave Minnedosa a 3-1 win over the Barbarians in Brandon Senior women’s Soccer action. Marie Smith also scored for the winners.

• 30 YEARS AGO — Ian Chester tossed four innings of one-hit ball to lead Guild Insurance Brokers to an 11-6 win over Dairy Queen in Brandon midget baseball league action.

• 10 YEARS AGO — The Brandon Wheat Kings fell 5-3 to the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies to open their Memorial Cup run.

Sports Breaking News

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, of the United Kingdom, arrives at the Formula One auto racing Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on Thursday, May 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

‘Get used to it’: Hamilton here to stay in F1, Verstappen happy with rule changes

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

‘Get used to it’: Hamilton here to stay in F1, Verstappen happy with rule changes

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 4 minute read 5:57 PM CDT

MONTREAL - Lewis Hamilton says he’s not going anywhere. Max Verstappen, meanwhile, sounds increasingly likely to stay.

The pair of former world champions fielded questions Thursday about whether they could step away from Formula One after this season — with Hamilton firing back at rumours and suggestions he should retire.

"I'm going to be here for quite some time, so get used to it," the 41-year-old Ferrari driver said. "There's a lot of people that are trying to retire me, and that's not even on my thoughts."

Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, made the blockbuster move to Ferrari last season after 12 years with Mercedes, but only earned his first podium with the iconic Italian outfit this past March in China.

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5:57 PM CDT

Sports Breaking News

2-time NASCAR champ Kyle Busch dies at 41 after being hospitalized with a ‘severe illness’

Steve Reed, The Associated Press 5 minute read Updated: 7:09 PM CDT

CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Kyle Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion who won more races than anyone across NASCAR’s three national series, has died. He was 41.

The Busch Family, Richard Childress Racing and NASCAR issued a joint statement Thursday saying Busch died after being hospitalized. No cause of death was given.

Busch’s family said earlier Thursday that he was hospitalized with a “severe illness,” three days before he was to compete in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Busch was the younger brother of Kurt Busch, a NASCAR Hall of Famer.

Sports Breaking News

Montreal Victoire's Marie-Philip Poulin hoists the Walter Cup after arriving in Montreal following winning the franchise's first championship, on Thursday, May 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

The Montreal Victoire make their homecoming after winning Walter Cup

Sébastien Auger, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

The Montreal Victoire make their homecoming after winning Walter Cup

Sébastien Auger, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: 4:05 PM CDT

MONTREAL -  

The victorious Montreal Victoire lifted the Walter Cup on home soil Thursday morning after winning the trophy for the first time in the team’s history.

The Victoire defeated the Charge 4-0 in Ottawa on Wednesday night to take the best-of-five Professional Women’s Hockey League final in four games, making them the first Canadian team to win the Cup. 

Forward Alexandra Labelle said it was the “cherry on top” to win with a shutout. 

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Updated: 4:05 PM CDT

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Sports Breaking News

Montreal Victoire forward Abby Roque (11) looks on as Ottawa Charge forward Gabbie Hughes (17) pressures goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens (35) during first period PWHL Walter Cup final hockey action in Ottawa, Wednesday, May 20, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Desbiens up for second straight PWHL top goaltender award against Frankel, Philips

The Canadian Press 1 minute read Preview

Desbiens up for second straight PWHL top goaltender award against Frankel, Philips

The Canadian Press 1 minute read 12:34 PM CDT

TORONTO - Ann-Renée Desbiens of the Montréal Victoire, Aerin Frankel of the Boston Fleet and Gwyneth Philips of the Ottawa Charge are the three finalists for the 2026 Professional Women's Hockey League goaltender of the year award.

Desbiens set single-season PWHL records with a 1.11 goals-against average and a .955 save percentage. She finished tied for the league lead with 19 wins, including seven shutouts.

Frankel broke the PWHL single-season record with eight shutouts and became the first goaltender in league history to record three consecutive clean sheets. She had 19 wins, a 1.17 goals-against average and a .953 save percentage.

Philips set records for most starts (28), consecutive appearances (18), minutes played (1,643), shots faced (844), and saves (786), and posted three shutouts, including a record 42-save performance in a 2-0 win over Toronto on April 11.

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12:34 PM CDT

Hockey

Canada's Mark Scheifele, centre, scores a goal during the 2026 IIHF Men's Ice Hockey World Championship preliminary round group B game between Canada and Norway, in Fribourg, Switzerland, Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Anthony Anex/Keystone via AP)

Scheifele completes hat trick in overtime as Canada edges Norway 6-5 at worlds

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Scheifele completes hat trick in overtime as Canada edges Norway 6-5 at worlds

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: 2:20 PM CDT

FRIBOURG - Mark Scheifele scored his third goal of the game in overtime, and Canada narrowly avoided an upset with a 6-5 win over Norway on Thursday at the world hockey championship.

Scheifele scored the winner off a slick three-way passing play from Evan Bouchard and Macklin Celebrini.

“It felt good (to score)," said Scheifele, who had yet to register a point heading into Thursday's game. "I felt a little snake-bitten in the last few games, but we have such a great team. It was such a resilient effort by everyone, and it was awesome to get the winner. 

"Today’s win certainly was not how we drew things up, but give credit to Norway because they played a hard game and got pucks to our net.”

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Updated: 2:20 PM CDT

Hockey

The new logo for the Hamilton Hammers AHL franchise is shown in this handout image released May 21, 2026. The team name and logo were unveiled Thursday, weeks after the New York Islanders announced plans to relocate their American Hockey League affiliate from Bridgeport, Conn., to Hamilton beginning in the 2026-27 season. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Hamilton Hammers (Mandatory Credit)

Hamilton Hammers name gives new AHL franchise a Steel City identity

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Hamilton Hammers name gives new AHL franchise a Steel City identity

The Canadian Press 2 minute read 12:00 PM CDT

HAMILTON - The American Hockey League team coming to Hamilton is drawing inspiration from the city's steelworking history, and its nickname, for its branding.

Team owners Oak View Group (OVG), TD Coliseum and the NHL's New York Islanders jointly announced Thursday that the team playing in the city known colloquially as "The Hammer" will be called, fittingly, the Hamilton Hammers.

The Hammers' name and logo were revealed at an event Thursday attended by Hamilton Mayor Andrea Horvath and representatives from the Islanders, TD Coliseum, Oak View Group, and the AHL.

The logo features crossed hammers, symbolizing Hamilton’s connection to metalworking, and is linked to the Islanders through its orange and blue colour scheme.

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12:00 PM CDT

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