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Bell perseveres with Midland University

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 9 minute read Friday, May. 1, 2026

Taylor Bell will tell you if you stay in it long enough, the hard times will eventually give something back.

The 21-year-old Brandonite who’s now known as the hero who delivered a national championship to Fremont, Neb., for the Midland University Warriors for the first time in program history a few months ago, didn’t have it quite so easy back in her early days with the team.

“My freshman year, obviously it wasn’t a great year for me,” Bell recalled. “Things were tough. It was just a big change and a big adjustment.”

Bell committed to the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s women’s Division 1 Midland squad for the 2022-23 season, majoring in exercise science after spending three years with the Central Plains Capitals out of the Manitoba U18 AAA Female Hockey League. She had reached out to a few different schools, but head coach Jason White was the first one to get back to her and express mutual interest.

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Carberry’s Unrau commits to Manitoba

Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Preview

Carberry’s Unrau commits to Manitoba

Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Friday, May. 1, 2026

Owen Unrau picked the best day to have his best day.

The Carberry native attended Basketball Canada’s under-18 ID camp in Winnipeg on Sept. 20 and caught the eyes of not only Basketball Canada’s Mike Meeks, but also the University of Manitoba staff.

“I had, probably, one of the best days I’ve ever played basketball in front of one of the U of M staff members,” Unrau said.

Bisons head coach Kirby Schepp showed up the following day to scout the six-foot-six guard, then continued watching throughout his standout high school season.

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Friday, May. 1, 2026
Carberry’s Owen Unrau has committed to the University of Manitoba men’s basketball team. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Regina’s Bateman joins BU soccer team

Thomas Friesen 2 minute read Preview

Regina’s Bateman joins BU soccer team

Thomas Friesen 2 minute read Friday, Apr. 24, 2026

One of the best players in Brandon University women’s soccer history is leaving the program with a parting gift.

Brogan Henry capped her Bobcats career as the final four MVP, leading the team to its third straight Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference title. Now, she has helped steer her cousin, Victoria Bateman, to the program.

“Being so close with her, I’ve gone to a lot of her youth games and some of her university games, and she’s a really good player, so it’s nice having her as an idol to look up to,” said Bateman, who got to watch the Bobcats when they played pre-season games against her hometown University of Regina Cougars.

The program has certainly benefited from Saskatchewan talent this decade, as a steady stream of players, including Henry, Kenadie Janzen, Tarin Ballan and Kylie van de Woestyne, have all been MCAC all-conference players.

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Friday, Apr. 24, 2026
Victoria Bateman of Regina has committed to the Brandon University women’s soccer team for the 2026 MCAC season. (Submitted)

Dyck, Collier join BU women’s soccer team

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Dyck, Collier join BU women’s soccer team

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026

Nicole Dyck and Becca Collier both feel they’re the soccer players they are today because of the steps they took to keep their goals within reach.

Or, they’ve succeeded despite limited opportunities.

Both Westman products are more excited than ever for the opportunity ahead of them, as the latest recruits to the three-time defending champion Brandon University Bobcats.

They’ll suit up for the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference powerhouse this fall.

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Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026
Neelin Spartan Nicole Dyck has committed to the Brandon University women's soccer team for the 2026 MCAC season. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Cyca makes it a family affair at Minot State

By Massimo De Luca-Taronno 6 minute read Preview

Cyca makes it a family affair at Minot State

By Massimo De Luca-Taronno 6 minute read Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026

Ryley Cyca grew up in the rink watching from the stands as his older brother took the ice.

Now, the two will finally get the chance to suit up together.

The 21-year-old Waywayseecappo Wolverines defenceman from Sherwood Park, Alta., will join brother Logan after announcing his commitment to the American Collegiate Hockey Association’s men’s Division 1 Minot State Beavers of Minot, N.D., for the 2026-27 season, earlier this month.

“I always kind of figured I was going to be a beaver, so it was Minot or nothing,” said Cyca of his decision to play for the Beavers. “I’m super excited. They’re obviously a really good organization, they’ve been ranked number one heading into nationals the past three years and my brother’s been down there, so I’m super excited to get the chance to play with him. It’ll be great.”

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Thursday, Apr. 23, 2026
Waywayseecappo Wolverines defenceman Ryley Cyca (48) will join his brother Logan at Minot State University after committing to the Beavers for the 2026-27 hockey season. (Submitted)

Schmidt brings experience to Chatham Univeristy

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 6 minute read Preview

Schmidt brings experience to Chatham Univeristy

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 6 minute read Wednesday, Apr. 22, 2026

Joshua Schmidt was hoping he’d get some college offers but didn’t think he’d luck out this much.

The 21-year-old Dauphin King is headed south of the border to play NCAA Division III with the Chatham University Cougars out of Pittsburgh, Pa., for the 2026-27 hockey season.

“Pittsburgh’s a great spot for a division three program so I was just to the moon excited when they reached out,” Schmidt said. “I knew eventually I would have some interest from coaches, but I just didn’t know it would be in such a nice city.

“It’s a new opportunity in a new country, new city, so it’s a little bit different, but I’m really pumped up and excited to make some new friends too.”

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Wednesday, Apr. 22, 2026
Dauphin Kings centreman Joshua Schmidt (27) is headed to Chatham University for the 2026-27 hockey season. (Submitted)

Bobcats, Panthers tapped for hoops hall

1 minute read Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2026

Two Westman teams will be enshrined in the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame this fall.

The Brandon University Bobcats men of 1979 to 1984 and the Glenboro Panthers varsity girls of 2003 to 2009 are the two teams joining three players and three builders in the class of 2026.

The Bobcats won BU’s first-ever national medal when they reached the 1980 Canadian Interuniversity Athletic Union title game, then won bronze medals in 1982 and 1983 before another silver in 1984.

The Panthers won five A provincial titles in six years, including four straight from 2004 to 2007.

Bonhomme joins Sea Bears coaching staff

1 minute read Tuesday, Apr. 21, 2026

Ilarion Bonhomme is taking another step in his coaching career.

The Brandon University women’s basketball head coach has joined the Winnipeg Sea Bears as an assistant for the 2026 Canadian Elite Basketball League season, which runs from May to August.

The staff, led by former Bobcat men’s basketball player and coach Mike Raimbault— now the University of Winnipeg men’s head coach — includes former BU men’s assistant Jeremy Wielenga.

The Sea Bears roster features U of W guard Kato Jaro and Manitoba Bison Mason Kraus.

Plainsmen Ibitoye joins hometown Bobcats

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Plainsmen Ibitoye joins hometown Bobcats

By Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Monday, Apr. 20, 2026

Ben Ibitoye loves seeing growth in the game he loves.

He has watched soccer develop massively since he arrived in Brandon at age 12, and wants to help the Brandon University Bobcats take another step forward.

The Crocus Plainsmen senior has committed to the Bobcats for the 2026 Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference season.

“I was really excited when I found out,” Ibitoye said. “Knowing it’s close to home, knowing the fan base and knowing everyone around me is really exciting.”

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Monday, Apr. 20, 2026
Crocus Plainsmen Ben Ibitoye has committed to the Brandon University men's soccer team for the 2026 MCAC season. (Submitted)

Bobcat women add Italian college transfer

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Bobcat women add Italian college transfer

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Friday, Apr. 17, 2026

The Brandon University women’s volleyball team has been slowly building towards a breakout season.

As one of their biggest senior corps in recent history enters their final year, 2026-27 is a massive one for them to finish on a high note.

So head coach Kailan Robinson is adding a proven veteran to her recruit class. Keyano College outside hitter Amanda Onyeukwu, an Italian import, is transferring to BU for her fourth year of eligibility, joining rookies Zoe Redekop, Kaitlyn Couckuyt, and Hannah Flaman.

“She’s a great addition for us,” Robinson said.

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Friday, Apr. 17, 2026
Keyano College outside hitter Amanda Onyeukwu is transferring to Brandon University for the 2026-27 Canada West women’s volleyball season. (Submitted)

Former Bobcat Dosado lands Keyano job

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Former Bobcat Dosado lands Keyano job

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Friday, Apr. 17, 2026

Mikee Dosado thought he was home for good when he returned to Montreal from Brandon University.

As it turns out, for the former Bobcat men’s basketball player, home is where the hoop is.

Dosado spent six years as an assistant coach at his other alma mater, Vanier College, and was just named head coach of the Keyano College Huskies of the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference on Thursday.

So he’s moving all the way to Fort McMurray.

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Friday, Apr. 17, 2026
Former Brandon University men’s basketball player Mikee Dosado was named head coach of the Keyano College men’s basketball team on Thursday. (Brandon Sun files)

Boissevain’s Harper commits to Bobcats

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Boissevain’s Harper commits to Bobcats

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Thursday, Apr. 16, 2026

Russell Harper didn’t see an abundance of opportunities for him as a soccer player growing up in Boissevain.

He knew he’d have to do something to grow his game beyond brief high school seasons, so he tried out for and made the Westman FC squad three years ago, and has parlayed that experience into an offer to join the Brandon University Bobcats for the 2026 Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference season.

“I can’t wait to get training in pre-season and start the season with them,” said Harper, who got to scrimmage against the Bobcats with Westman FC.

“It was a little scary at the start, I can’t lie, but sometimes you’ve just got to power through it.

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Thursday, Apr. 16, 2026
Boissevain’s Russell Harper has committed to the Brandon University men’s soccer team for the 2026 season. (Submitted)

Burzynski makes Manitoba memories

Perry Bergson 12 minute read Preview

Burzynski makes Manitoba memories

Perry Bergson 12 minute read Friday, Apr. 10, 2026

After his Western Hockey League drew to a close on April 2, Grayson Burzynski learned an important lesson about how time plays tricks on us all.

The 20-year-old Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman, who is headed to college next season, said it certainly doesn’t feel like five years ago that he earned a spot at age 16 with the Swift Current Broncos.

“Way too quick, to be honest,” Burzynski said of how fast those years passed by. “I was just thinking about that. I didn’t have a suit in Swift Current because I didn’t know you had to wear a suit to games. I remember the day before my first regular season game, I had to go buy a suit and it literally feels like yesterday that I went and did that.

“I played so many games and some of them stick out but a lot of them have blended together. I can’t believe it’s been five years.”

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Friday, Apr. 10, 2026
Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Grayson Burzynski (14) carries the puck around the Brandon net with Medicine Hat Tigers forward Liam Ruck (12) in pursuit on March 4. The Winnipegger spent one season in Brandon. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Lasuik makes leap to Winnipeg

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Lasuik makes leap to Winnipeg

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Friday, Apr. 10, 2026

Tyra Lasuik faced a tough reality a few years ago. Her dream of playing U Sports volleyball wasn’t meant to be.

It turns out “no” was just “no, for now.”

The former Neelin Spartan is transferring from Assiniboine College to the University of Winnipeg — her top choice when she finished high school — for the 2026-27 Canada West season.

“I’m really excited. I’m a little scared to move away from home and all the friends I’ve made in Brandon, but I’m excited for this next part of my life,” Lasuik said.

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Friday, Apr. 10, 2026
Assiniboine College Cougars setter Tyra Lasuik is transferring to the University of Winnipeg for the 2026-27 Canada West women’s volleyball season. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Desjardin joins big Cougars rookie crop

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Desjardin joins big Cougars rookie crop

By Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Thursday, Apr. 9, 2026

The Assiniboine College Cougars finally reached the top of the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference, and Layla Desjardin wants to keep them there.

The Neelin Spartans opposite has committed to the Cougars women’s volleyball team for the 2026-27 season, joining Kevin Neufeld’s massive recruit class.

“I’m really excited. I went to a practice with them a while back and all of the girls are super nice,” Desjardin said.

“We scrimmaged against them a few times for club and school and I’m really excited. Kevin seems like an amazing coach, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

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Thursday, Apr. 9, 2026
Neelin's Layla Desjardin has committed to the Assiniboine College Cougars women's volleyball team for the 2026-27 MCAC season. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Berube, Peake Cougars athletes of year

1 minute read Thursday, Apr. 9, 2026

Nathaniel Berube and Kylee Peake were named Assiniboine College athletes of the year on Wednesday night.

Berube led the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference men’s volleyball league in kills with 288 and kills per set with 3.65.

Peake finished third in women’s volleyball with 189 kills and second at 2.70 kills per set.

Both were named Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association all-Canadians.

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