Wheat Kings – Brandon Sun

Brandon Wheat Kings captain Caleb Hadland, shown during last Sunday’s game against the Saskatoon Blades, said his winless team is holding up OK but desperately needs a victory. They host the Vancouver Giants tonight and the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Desperate Wheat Kings search for win

Perry Bergson 8 minute read Updated: 1:35 AM CDT

The Brandon Wheat Kings may have 63 games remaining in their Western Hockey League season, but they seem awfully close to must-win territory.

The Wheat Kings have suffered a historically slow start to the year, earning just one point in their first five outings and are already 10 points back of the surging Prince Albert Raiders (5-0-1-0) in the East Division.

With the Vancouver Giants (2-4-0-0) in town this evening at 7 at Assiniboine Credit Union Place and the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock, the home side is looking to improve on their 0-4-1-0 record.

When team captain Calen Hadland was asked how badly his team needs a win, he didn’t hesitate.

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WHL NOTEBOOK: Muench carves out official role in WHL

By Perry Bergson 13 minute read Preview

WHL NOTEBOOK: Muench carves out official role in WHL

By Perry Bergson 13 minute read Monday, Oct. 6, 2025

Kevin Muench has certainly found his calling.

The senior director, officiating and facilities for the Western Hockey League spent years as an official and now is part of the team that monitors and educates the 165 people doing the job for the WHL in Brandon and across Western Canada and the northwestern United States.

“You really have to love the game of hockey, which I do,” Muench said. “You have to like the people you work with, which I do. But I also really like the challenge of helping young officials develop their lives and develop their officiating careers.

“We’ve had so many guys who have gone on to careers with the National Hockey League, we’ve had so many officials that have experienced significant international competition, whether that’s the World Juniors, world championships, Olympic assignments.

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Monday, Oct. 6, 2025

Referee Alex Clarke watches as the Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades put fresh players on the ice after a whistle during Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Sunday afternoon. Clarke became both the first female linesman and referee for the league when she broke the gender barrier in 2021. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Brandon shows up late in loss

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Preview

Brandon shows up late in loss

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025

The struggling Brandon Wheat Kings dropped their fifth game in a row on Sunday but finally showed signs of life as they fell 6-3 to the Saskatoon Blades in Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place.

Saskatoon (4-2-0-0) received two goals each from former Wheat King Dominik Petr and Hunter Laing and singles from Jordan Martin and David Lewandowski, with Luke Mistelbacher, Chase Surkan and Jaxon Jacobson replying for Brandon (0-4-1-0) in front of a crowd of 2,044.

“It was pretty special,” Petr said in front of a large group of his Brandon friends after the game.

“As you can see my billets are here and my girlfriend so it was special. It’s always nice to come home.”

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Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings goalie Jayden Kraus (33) tumbles into the net with Saskatoon Blades forward Triston Mitchell-McElhone (25) and Wheat Kings defenceman Gio Pantelas (84) during Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Sunday afternoon. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Oct. 5, 2025

Oil Kings rout lethargic Wheaties

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

The Brandon Wheat Kings dropped their fourth game in a row to start the Western Hockey League season, falling 5-0 to the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Saturday.

The Eastern Conference-leading Oil Kings (5-1-0-0) received their goals from Miroslav Holinka, Joe Iginla, Poul Andersen, Adam Jecho and Ethan MacKenzie, and goalie Parker Snell made 26 saves for the first Edmonton shutout over Brandon since a 9-0 thumping on Jan. 15, 2011.

Brandon fell to 0-3-1-0 in their first game since a 5-4 overtime loss to the Prince Albert Raiders a week ago. Brandon, which drew a crowd of 2,741, faces the Saskatoon Blades on Sunday at 4 o’clock.

“It’s real disheartening,” Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said. “You have to live with that one a week ago for a full week and you would hope we would come out with more push in our game. We started off the first 10 minutes and didn’t have much. I thought in the last half of the first period we came along but then they seemed to get that second and third one and really deflated us.

Top prospect Jim set to make WHL debut

By Perry Bergson 8 minute read Preview

Top prospect Jim set to make WHL debut

By Perry Bergson 8 minute read Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

With the team’s oldest defenceman on the shelf this weekend, the Brandon Wheat Kings have turned to the future for a pair of weekend matchups.

The Western Hockey League club has called up their most recent first-round pick, dynamic 15-year-old defenceman Cruz Jim of Grande Prairie, Alta.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray is doing his best to guard against heightened expectations for the young blue-liner but added Jim is a special player.

“He’s 15, so you have to keep it in reality,” Murray said. “At the same time, we think he can be a guy who can come here and help us. In pre-season in the two games he played, he was arguably our best defenceman. He’s so smart and very talented with the puck.

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Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings callup Cruz Jim chases after the puck in front of goalie Filip Ruzicka during practice at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Friday afternoon. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Oct. 4, 2025

TALE OF THE TAPE: Edmonton at Brandon

2 minute read Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings vs Edmonton Oil Kings

6 p.m. at Assiniboine Credit Union Place.

5:30 p.m. (CKLQ): 6 p.m. (WHL Live)

(Stats don't include Edmonton's game late Friday)

Boyce finds way to Wheat Kings

Perry Bergson 9 minute read Preview

Boyce finds way to Wheat Kings

Perry Bergson 9 minute read Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Ryan Boyce’s path to the Brandon Wheat Kings had a twist in it, but he’s ended up where he always hoped he would be one day.

Brandon picked the 17-year-old Calgarian in the fifth round, 94th overall, in the 2023 Western Hockey League draft, but he decided he wanted to play college hockey instead. After attending Brandon’s camp at 15 but skipping last year’s training camp at 16, the hockey world changed for him in November when the NCAA opened itself up to major junior players.

“I was pretty excited about it,” Boyce said. “Obviously I wanted to play in Brandon. They’re the team that drafted me.I thought it kind of sucked that I couldn’t come here and still play college, which was my plan. Once I head the news, I immediately thought ‘I want to go back to Brandon the following year.’

“I’m glad it worked out like that. It was everything I imagined.”

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Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Ryan Boyce was planning on heading to college so he headed to the BCHL last season, but after the NCAA decided to allow major junior players, was thrilled to join the team that drafted him, the Brandon Wheat Kings. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

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WHL NOTEBOOK: McKercher settles in with Wheat Kings

Perry Bergson 14 minute read Preview

WHL NOTEBOOK: McKercher settles in with Wheat Kings

Perry Bergson 14 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

Jake McKercher is a long way from home, and looking forward to getting even a little further away.

The 35-year-old Ottawa product joined the Brandon Wheat Kings as their new equipment manager in mid-July, and while he’s had a look at the Western Hockey League rinks in Regina and Moose Jaw so far, he’s eager to see more.

It will be a big change for McKercher, who got his start in the Ontario Hockey League.

“I think it’s cool,” McKercher said. “I’m a rink rat. I’m here way more than I probably need to be. I’m here way too early but I just like being at the rink. I’ve been to two rinks so far, and it’s just cool to see something new.

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Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings equipment manager Jake McKercher, shown during practice on Monday, gained experience in the job in the Ontario Hockey League and the Professional Women’s Hockey League. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

TALE OF THE TAPE: Prince Albert at Brandon

By Perry Bergson 2 minute read Saturday, Sep. 27, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings vs Prince Albert Raiders

6 p.m. at Assiniboine Credit Union Place.

5:30 p.m. (CKLQ): 6 p.m. (WHL Live)

WHEAT KINGS

Oiring steals OT win for Raiders

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Oiring steals OT win for Raiders

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Monday, Sep. 29, 2025

Aiden Oiring scored a controversial goal in overtime as the Prince Albert Raiders handed the Brandon Wheat Kings a 5-4 loss on Saturday at Assiniboine Credit Union Place.

Prince Albert (3-0-1-0) received its other goals from Evan Smith, Harrison Lodewyk, Ty Meunier and Max Heine, with Chase Surkan scoring twice, and Jaxon Jacobson and Nick Johnson also replying for Brandon (0-2-1-0) in front of a crowd of 2,457.

It’s the second game in a row Brandon has blown a lead in the third period, and their third straight loss of the new season.

“I thought this was the best game we’ve played so far,” Surkan said. “I think we just have to work on closing out games. There was maybe a missed call in overtime but we can’t control the refs.”

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Monday, Sep. 29, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings goalie Jayden Kraus (33) watches the puck hit the ankle of Prince Albert Raiders forward Max Heise (14) during Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Saturday. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Sept. 27, 2025

Wheaties hope to improve woeful defence

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Preview

Wheaties hope to improve woeful defence

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Friday, Sep. 26, 2025

The fact the Brandon Wheat Kings have scored 11 goals in two games this season and are winless neatly encapsulates everything that is wrong with Western Hockey League club so far.

The Wheat Kings (0-2-0-0), who face the visiting Prince Albert Raiders (1-0-1-0) this evening at 6 o’clock at Assiniboine Credit Union Place, gave up the most goals in the WHL on opening weekend with 15.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said his team simply has to be better in its own end.

“We watched a lot of video this week and a lot of times it was just being on the wrong half of the body, not been got the defensive side of things and taking care of that most dangerous area of the ice, the house as we call it,” Murray said. “We talked a lot about seeing five guys in the picture all the time, not just one guy not having much support.

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Friday, Sep. 26, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Grayson Burzynski, who leads the team in points with five after two games, said the team has to make an effort to play better defensively. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Sept. 27, 2025

Perry battles way back to WHL

Perry Bergson 8 minute read Preview

Perry battles way back to WHL

Perry Bergson 8 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 24, 2025

Every goalie has an origin story of how they landed back in the crease. Hudson Perry’s tale is truly Marvel-ous.

“My dad had a Spider-Man mask when I was little and I loved putting it on,” Perry said. “After that it was just the gear. I loved the gear and I always wanted to have that.”

The 18-year-old Brandon Wheat Kings netminder, who hails from Sexsmith, Alta., was acquired from the Edmonton Oil Kings at the trade deadline and won the backup job behind Jayden Kraus in the pre-season.

Sexsmith is a community of 2,400 located 20 kilometres north of Grande Prairie in northwestern Alberta. He quickly ended up back in the crease and enjoyed how important his job was on the ice.

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Wednesday, Sep. 24, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings goalie Hudson Perry makes a save at practice this week. He debuted in the Western Hockey League two seasons ago. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Sept. 25, 2025

Hadland’s path leads to C

Perry Bergson 10 minute read Preview

Hadland’s path leads to C

Perry Bergson 10 minute read Tuesday, Sep. 23, 2025

When Caleb Hadland was named the new captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings last Thursday, he was fulfilling his draft destiny.

While that may be the case, the 19-year-old forward from Sylvan Lake, Alta., said it was welcome news, but it won’t affect how he handles his business.

“I think it’s go out and be myself,” Hadland said. “I don’t think it changes much. Obviously, it’s an honour. It’s cool with the legacy we have here to wear the C on a Wheat Kings jersey. I don’t think anything has changed in my game or how I do things around the rink.”

Brandon grabbed Hadland with the 22nd pick of the 2021 draft after they took defenceman Charlie Elick third overall and forward Roger McQueen with the fourth pick.

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Tuesday, Sep. 23, 2025

Caleb Hadland was named the new captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings last week, fulfilling the prophecy that came when he was drafted by the Western Hockey League club in 2021. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Wheat Kings blow lead, fall 9-7

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Saturday, Sep. 20, 2025

The defensively challenged Brandon Wheat Kings were in a generous mood on Saturday, blowing a three-goal lead in the third period and falling 9-7 to the Moose Jaw Warriors in Western Hockey League action at Temple Gardens Centre.

Landen McFadden scored twice and Riley Thorpe, Nolan Paquette, Ethan Semeniuk, Casey Brown, Pavel McKenzie, Colt Carter and Owen Berge added singles for Moose Jaw (2-0-0-0). Brandon (0-2-0-0) received its goals from Jordan Gavin, Caleb Hadland, Easton Odut, Joby Baumuller, Luke Mistelbacher, Grayson Burzynski and Nick Johnson in front of a crowd of 3,203.

The Wheat Kings lost 6-4 on Friday at home, which means they’ve allowed 15 goals in two games to start the season.

The game started fairly normally in the first period, with the teams scoring once each and combining for just 14 shots.

Wheat Kings rally but fall to Warriors

Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Wheat Kings rally but fall to Warriors

Perry Bergson 7 minute read Friday, Sep. 19, 2025

The Brandon Wheat Kings spotted the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors a four-goal lead and fell just short of the comeback, losing 6-4 in front of a large opening-night crowd of 4,281 at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Friday.

Casey Brown scored twice, with Pavel McKenzie, Ethan Semeniuk, Colt Conrad and Nolan Paquette adding singles for Moose Jaw (1-0-0-0), while Chase Surkan scored twice and Jordan Gavin and Gunnar Gleasman also sniped for Brandon (0-1-0-0).

The teams meet again tonight at Temple Gardens Centre at 7 p.m. (CDT).

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said too many things weren’t done well enough by his Western Hockey League club.

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Friday, Sep. 19, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings Luke Mistelbacher carries the puck as Moose Jaw’s Nolan Pacquette defends during their WHL season opener at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Friday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Odut, Wheat Kings set for new season

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Odut, Wheat Kings set for new season

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

Easton Odut has been waiting a long time for tonight.

The Brandon Wheat Kings forward from Dauphin and his teammates will open the 2025-26 Western Hockey League regular season at Assiniboine Credit Union Place this evening against the visiting Moose Jaw Warriors and then travel to meet them on Saturday back in Saskatchewan.

It will be Odut’s first regular-season action since he was knocked out of commission on Dec. 14 and missed the back half of the season with a shoulder injury that required surgery.

“I’ve been counting down the months, the days, the weeks,” Odut said. “It was tough watching 40 or 50 games last year. I learned a lot of stuff and after missing that much hockey, you’re just have so much adrenalin hitting you. You’re going to come out hotter than you did before. “It’s going to be awesome. I’m looking forward to it. I can’t wait.”

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Thursday, Sep. 18, 2025

October 10, 2025

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