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Wheat Kings

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Joby Baumuller (17), a first-round pick by the team in 2022, has blossomed into stardom this season with 24 goals in the first half of the season: His previous season high was 18. He is shown skating in on Swift Current Broncos goalie Joey Rocha (35) as Parker Rondeau (17) tries to stop him during a game at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Nov. 5. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Wheat Kings climb out of rough start

Perry Bergson 12 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:39 PM CST

On Oct. 5, the Brandon Wheat Kings were 0-4-1-0 and a season of promise looked like it might be a mirage.

Fast forward 27 games, and the same team is 19-12-1-0 and has moved up from 11th in the Eastern Conference to fourth. It’s been a remarkable turnaround for the Western Hockey League club, which returns to action on Saturday.

But that didn’t make the early stretch easy for Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray and his club.

“It was miserable,” Murray said. “We were all excited coming into the season. We knew there were a lot of really good teams but we thought we could be in the conversation to be one of those upper-tier team and then we started out 1-4-1.

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Tigers end Wheat Kings streak

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Preview

Tigers end Wheat Kings streak

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

The Medicine Hat Tigers overcame a pair of one-goal deficits to beat the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings 7-3 in a matchup of two of the hottest teams in the Western Hockey League at Co-op Place on Wednesday.

Medicine Hat (22-6-3-2) received its goals from Noah Davidson, Kyle Heger, Liam Ruck, Ethan Neutens, Bryce Pickford, Tyson Moss and Jonas Woo, with Jaxon Jacobson, Nick Johnson and Carter Klippenstein replying for Brandon (18-12-1-0) in front of a crowd of 3,006.

Going into Wednesday’s game, Brandon was on a seven-game winning streak and Medicine Hat hadn’t lost in regulation in their last 13 games, going 11-0-1-1. The Wheat Kings had won the first two games in the season series, with one meeting remaining in Brandon on March 4.

Wheat Kings head coach and general manager Marty Murray said his club, which was playing its third game in four days and fifth in the last eight days, seemed to hit the wall.

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Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Nicholas Johnson (62) watches the puck bounce away after a face-off against Medicine Hat Tigers centre Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll (11) during Western Hockey League action at Co-op Place on Wednesday. The Tigers won 7-3. (James Tubb/Medicine Hat News)
Brandon Wheat Kings forward Nicholas Johnson (62) watches the puck bounce away after a face-off against Medicine Hat Tigers centre Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll (11) during Western Hockey League action at Co-op Place on Wednesday. The Tigers won 7-3. (James Tubb/Medicine Hat News)

Wheaties hang on to tame Rebels

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025

The Brandon Wheat Kings finally closed out a game in Red Deer, beating the Rebels 2-1 in Western Hockey League action at Marchant Crane Centrium on Tuesday to win their seventh game in a row.

Brandon (18-11-1-0) received its goals from Joby Baumuller and Jimmy Egan, with Ty Coupland replying for Red Deer (10-17-1-2) in front of a crowd of 3,015.

It had been more than three years since the Wheat Kings won in the building, a 4-2 Brandon victory on Nov. 19, 2022. They lost the last five games by either one or two goals, twice by goals in the final minute.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said it was nice to leave Red Deer with two points. The game may have turned on a call by the video goal judge, a fate that wasn’t as kind to the visitors a year ago.

Wheat Kings feel future is bright

By Perry Bergson 17 minute read Preview

Wheat Kings feel future is bright

By Perry Bergson 17 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025

If the future is set to shine for the Brandon Wheat Kings, the team’s young prospects will need to thrive.

Brandon’s director of hockey operations Chris Moulton recently went through every drafted and listed player on the team’s 50-man roster to assess how their play has been as the season nears its midpoint.

The following is organized by draft class and then listed players: Players who have already made the jump to the Wheat Kings aren’t included, nor is anyone who has been released. The heights and weights are from Wheat Kings camp unless the player didn’t attend. If a player is skating in AAA and were called up for junior games in any league, those numbers are included too.

For goalies, L or R is whether they catch with their left or right hand: For players, it’s which way they shoot.

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Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025

List player Carson Ralph, 16, has signed with the Brandon Wheat Kings and become a top prospect. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
List player Carson Ralph, 16, has signed with the Brandon Wheat Kings and become a top prospect. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

WHL NOTEBOOK: Video goal judges add extra eyes

By Perry Bergson 16 minute read Preview

WHL NOTEBOOK: Video goal judges add extra eyes

By Perry Bergson 16 minute read Monday, Dec. 15, 2025

While Jeff Sawchuk, Patrick Gagnon and Maurice Hutlet are no longer on the ice working Western Hockey League games, the longtime officials still have a role, and it’s a big one.

The trio, who are hired and paid by the league, work at Brandon Wheat Kings games as video goal judges.

“It’s a good job,” said Sawchuk, who was an official in the WHL from 1998 to 2007 as both a linesman and later a referee. “As an ex-official, it keeps you involved in the game.”

Sawchuk has been there since the program began during the 2009-10 season and handles scheduling for the three.

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Monday, Dec. 15, 2025

Video goal judge Jeff Sawchuk looks down at the ice ahead of the Brandon Wheat Kings game against the Kelowna Rockets at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Friday. Sawchuk has done the job since the Western Hockey League added its program to start the 2009-10 season, currently rotating with Maurice Hutlet and Patrick Gagnon. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Video goal judge Jeff Sawchuk looks down at the ice ahead of the Brandon Wheat Kings game against the Kelowna Rockets at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Friday. Sawchuk has done the job since the Western Hockey League added its program to start the 2009-10 season, currently rotating with Maurice Hutlet and Patrick Gagnon. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

WHL NOTEBOOK: Wheat Kings rookies find much to cherish

Perry Bergson 8 minute read Preview

WHL NOTEBOOK: Wheat Kings rookies find much to cherish

Perry Bergson 8 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 12:58 PM CST

In an annual rite of passage in this space, this year’s crop of Brandon Wheat Kings rookies were asked what they enjoy about playing in the Western Hockey League.

CHASE SURKAN

“Obviously it’s super special. Not everyone gets to play in this league. It’s one of the best development leagues in the world for a reason. I’m taking it as best as I can. It’s an advantage being against bigger guys with a faster pace. I think I’ve gotten used to it so far. All the older guys have been huge in helping me develop into the league.”

MAX LAVOIE

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Updated: Yesterday at 12:58 PM CST

Chase Surkan (11) of the Brandon Wheat Kings, shown with the puck against the Saskatoon Blades at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Dec. 3, is having an incredible 16-year-old season with the club. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Chase Surkan (11) of the Brandon Wheat Kings, shown with the puck against the Saskatoon Blades at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Dec. 3, is having an incredible 16-year-old season with the club. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Baumuller’s OT winner lifts Wheat Kings

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Baumuller’s OT winner lifts Wheat Kings

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

Joby Baumuller scored in overtime as the Brandon Wheat Kings finished the first half of the season with a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Hitmen in Western Hockey League action at Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday afternoon.

Brandon (19-12-1-0) received its other goals from Nick Johnson and Chase Surkan, with Caine Wilke and Ethan Moore replying for Calgary (17-9-4-1) in front of a crowd of 2,555.

Wheat Kings head coach and general manager Marty Murray said the first two periods of the game were striking, with each team taking a turn dominating the other.

“I thought we had a real, real strong first period on the road,” Murray said. “We got up two and kept them to one shot. We took a penalty and gave them some momentum and they got a bunch of shots and the next thing we know, we’re just hanging on and give up 20-plus shots in the second period, which isn’t ideal.

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Friday, Dec. 19, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Jordan Gavin (13) goes between his legs for a shot that was denied by Calgary Hitmen Eric Tu (31) during Western Hockey League action at Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday afternoon. Brandon won 3-2 in overtime. (Jenn Pierce/Calgary Hitmen)
Brandon Wheat Kings forward Jordan Gavin (13) goes between his legs for a shot that was denied by Calgary Hitmen Eric Tu (31) during Western Hockey League action at Scotiabank Saddledome on Friday afternoon. Brandon won 3-2 in overtime. (Jenn Pierce/Calgary Hitmen)

Baumuller leads Wheaties past Oil Kings

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Baumuller leads Wheaties past Oil Kings

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025

Joby Baumuller scored twice for the third game in a row as the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings beat the Edmonton Oil Kings 4-2 in Western Hockey League action at Rogers Place on Sunday.

Brandon (17-11-1-0) received its other goals from Carter Klippenstein and Max Lavoie as it won its season-high sixth game in a row, with Kanjyu Gojsic and Miroslav Holinka replying for Edmonton (21-7-2-1) in front of a crowd of 6,417.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said it was a nice win for his club, which is playing four games in six days in Alberta as they finish up the first half of the season before the Christmas break.

“It wasn’t our best effort,” Murray said. “Hockey is a funny game. There are probably some games — I’m not saying we should have lost tonight — but there were some games early in the year we probably should have won where we came up short and then you have a night like tonight where you get outshot pretty heavily and you find a way to get it done. It was a little bit of an ugly road game.”

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Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025

Joby Baumuller celebrates scoring the game's opening goal in the first period as the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings beat the Edmonton Oil Kings 4-2 in Western Hockey League action at Rogers Place on Sunday. Baumuller scored twice for the third game in a row. (Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings)

Dec. 14, 2025
Joby Baumuller celebrates scoring the game’s opening goal in the first period as the visiting Brandon Wheat Kings beat the Edmonton Oil Kings 4-2 in Western Hockey League action at Rogers Place on Sunday. Baumuller scored twice for the third game in a row. (Andy Devlin/Edmonton Oil Kings) Dec. 14, 2025

Gavin scores teddy bear goal, Wheaties win 6-3

Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Gavin scores teddy bear goal, Wheaties win 6-3

Perry Bergson 7 minute read Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

Jordan Gavin brought the teddy bears down and a noisy crowd of 4,116 people went home happy as the Brandon Wheat Kings beat the visiting Kelowna Rockets 6-3 in Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Friday.

Brandon (16-11-1-0) received two goals from both Carter Klippenstein and Joby Baumuller and one from Chase Surkan, with Hiroki Gojsic, Hayden Paupanekis, and Carson Wetsch replying for Kelowna (14-10-3-1).

“It was nice,” said Gavin, who didn’t score a teddy bear goal in his time with the Tri-City Americans prior to the trade to Brandon last season. “It was a little bit of a relief. You wonder who is going to score it. My linemates made it really easy for me. We all deserve credit for that goal.”

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said it was nice to get the first goal out of the way, especially after the visitors built a 2-0 lead in the first 12 minutes.

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Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

Carter Klippenstein (19) of the Brandon Wheat Kings tries to poke the puck past goalie Josh Banini (35) of the Kelowna Rockets. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Carter Klippenstein (19) of the Brandon Wheat Kings tries to poke the puck past goalie Josh Banini (35) of the Kelowna Rockets. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Wheat Kings eager to see teddys fly

Perry Bergson 8 minute read Preview

Wheat Kings eager to see teddys fly

Perry Bergson 8 minute read Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

The fur is about to fly again tonight as the Brandon Wheat Kings meet the Kelowna Rockets in Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place.

The Wheat Kings are holding their annual teddy-bear toss game tonight, and since Jaxon Jacobson actually grew up in Brandon, he attended many times as a youngster. As a result, he has a keen appreciation for the event.

“As a kid, it was always the coolest game to come to,” Jacobson said. “I was lucky to be a part of it when I was a call-up and saw Roers (Rylen Roersma) score. That was my first experience of ‘Wow, this is pretty cool.’

“Last year I was hurt, so that was tough to be out for. It’s a really cool game, the most important games for the kids around the community to come to. It will be fun to play.”

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Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Jaxon Jacobson receives an early shower from teammates after practice on Thursday afternoon at Assiniboine Credit Union Place as the team celebrated his 17th birthday. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Brandon Wheat Kings forward Jaxon Jacobson receives an early shower from teammates after practice on Thursday afternoon at Assiniboine Credit Union Place as the team celebrated his 17th birthday. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Klippenstein, Wheaties look for quieter start

Perry Bergson 9 minute read Preview

Klippenstein, Wheaties look for quieter start

Perry Bergson 9 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

When the Brandon Wheat Kings meet the Lethbridge Hurricanes in Western Hockey League action tonight at Assiniboine Credit Union Place, you can probably expect fewer goals in the first period this time.

The last time the two teams met was a game for the ages, and for all the wrong reasons.

On Nov. 7 at VisitLethbridge.com Arena, Brandon led 2-0 just over two minutes into the game, and trailed 5-2 just 10 minutes later. They then tied the game before the period ended.

The Hurricanes took one-goal leads twice that the Wheat Kings equalized, only to have Logan Wormald’s goal early in the third period stand as the winner in an 8-7 decision.

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Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Carter Klippenstein stands against the boards during a skills sessions on Monday afternoon at Assiniboine Credit Union Place. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Brandon Wheat Kings forward Carter Klippenstein stands against the boards during a skills sessions on Monday afternoon at Assiniboine Credit Union Place. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

TALE OF THE TAPE: Lethbridge at Brandon

2 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings vs Lethbridge Hurricanes

7 p.m. at Assiniboine Credit Union Place.

6:30 p.m. (91.5 FM): 7 p.m. (Victory+)

WHEAT KINGS

WHL NOTEBOOK: Burzynski settles into new home

By Perry Bergson 16 minute read Preview

WHL NOTEBOOK: Burzynski settles into new home

By Perry Bergson 16 minute read Monday, Dec. 8, 2025

If you watch Grayson Burzynski on the ice, he’s clearly a good player.

The 20-year-old Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman, who is on pace for a career year offensively, is smooth and thinks the game at a high level. Off the ice, the engaging, highly social Winnipegger might be an all-star.

“I just think it’s who I am,” Burzynski said. “I’m not going to be someone I’m not. I’m not going to be an ass, it’s not who I am. I like to get along with everyone.”

The fifth-year WHL player, who is in his rookie campaign, has certainly made a good impression on Wheat Kings head coach and general manager Marty Murray.

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Monday, Dec. 8, 2025

Personable veteran defenceman Grayson Burzynski, shown playing against the Prince Albert Raiders at Assiniboine Credit Union Place in late November, has quickly made himself at home with the Brandon Wheat Kings after an off-season deal brought the Winnipegger from the Swift Current Broncos. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Personable veteran defenceman Grayson Burzynski, shown playing against the Prince Albert Raiders at Assiniboine Credit Union Place in late November, has quickly made himself at home with the Brandon Wheat Kings after an off-season deal brought the Winnipegger from the Swift Current Broncos. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Surkan scores late in 2-1 Wheaties win

By Perry Bergson 9 minute read Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025

Chase Surkan scored with 42.9 seconds remaining to lift the Brandon Wheat Kings to a 2-1 victory over the Moose Jaw Warriors in Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Saturday.

Brandon (14-11-1-0) received its other goal from Brady Turko, with Connor Schmidt replying for Moose Jaw (12-13-2-1) in front of a crowd of 2,776.

On Friday, the visiting Wheat Kings rallied from a deficit late in the third period with five goals in six minutes to beat the Regina Pats 7-4.

“It shows the character,” Surkan said of the two very different victories. “It was a gritty win coming back last night and then playing again tonight, it was a testament to our group that showed the character we have. It was a good win.”

Wheat Kings rally to beat Pats 7-4

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Preview

Wheat Kings rally to beat Pats 7-4

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Friday, Dec. 5, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings rookie forward Chase Surkan had a hat trick in his hometown and Caleb Hadland and Joby Baumuller each scored twice as they rallied to beat the Regina Pats 7-4 in Western Hockey League action at Brandt Centre on Friday.

Julien Maze, Jace Egland, Liam Pue and Ruslan Karimov replied for Regina (9-16-2-1) in front of a crowd of 3,250.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray, whose club improved to 13-11-1-0, said it was nice end to a game that didn’t start well.

“We’ll take the two points,” Murray said with a chuckle. “It wasn’t real pretty. Regina coming off that West Coast trip had some time to charge the batteries. We knew they were going to come out hard and we were certainly on our heels. If it wasn’t for (goalie Jayden) Kraus, we might have had a pretty big hole to come out of. It was kind of uneventful and we didn’t get a lot done, and then after Hadland scored, we kind of woke up.”

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Friday, Dec. 5, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings rookie forward Chase Surkan (11) scores as Regina Pats goaltender Marek Schlenker (35), defenceman Reese Hamilton (6) and forward Zach Moore (18) look on during Western Hockey League action at Brandt Centre on Friday. (Keith Hershmiller Photography)

Dec. 5, 2025
Brandon Wheat Kings rookie forward Chase Surkan (11) scores as Regina Pats goaltender Marek Schlenker (35), defenceman Reese Hamilton (6) and forward Zach Moore (18) look on during Western Hockey League action at Brandt Centre on Friday. (Keith Hershmiller Photography) Dec. 5, 2025

Ruzicka propels Wheat Kings past Blades

Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Ruzicka propels Wheat Kings past Blades

Perry Bergson 7 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025

Filip Ruzicka was sensational in making 31 saves as the Brandon Wheat Kings beat the visiting Saskatoon Blades 4-1 in Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Wednesday.

“It was very good,” the big Czech netminder Ruzicka said. “Every player on this team played 100 per cent in this game and we won. We had a good start this week with three games. We’ll keep going.”

Brandon (12-11-1-0) received its goals from Caleb Hadland, Joby Baumuller, Grayson Burzynski and Luke Mistelbacher, with Jack Kachkowski replying for Saskatoon (14-12-2-0) in front of a crowd of 2,032.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said it was a good night for his club and its goaltender.

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Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025

Caleb Hadland (10), centre, of the Brandon Wheat Kings celebrates a goal during WHL action against the Saskatoon Blades at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Wednesday evening. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Caleb Hadland (10), centre, of the Brandon Wheat Kings celebrates a goal during WHL action against the Saskatoon Blades at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Wednesday evening. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

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