A breakdown of the 2023-24 Wheat Kings

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This article was published 22/09/2023 (981 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BRANDON WHEAT KINGS

• Head coach: Marty Murray (second season with team, second as head coach).

• Assistant coaches: Mark Derlago (fifth season), Del Pedrick (second season).

• Goaltending coach: Tyler Plante (eighth season).

• General manager: Marty Murray (second season).

• Director of hockey operations: Chris Moulton (third season).

• Key losses: F Nolan Ritchie (graduation), F Calder Anderson (graduation), F Zakhar Polshakov (release), F Matt Henry (retirement), D Logen Hammett (trade).

• Overagers: F Brett Hyland, F Dawson Pasternak, D Kayden Sadhra-Kang.

• Imports: D Andrei Malyavin (Russia, 2004), F Dominik Petr (Czechia, 2005).

• Goalies: Carson Bjarnason (2005), Nick Jones (2004), Ethan Eskit (2006).

• Westman connection: Carson Bjarnason (Carberry, 2005), Zach Turner (Boissevain, 2004), Easton Odut (Dauphin, 2007).

• THE TEAM (By jersey number, then height, weight, shoots left/right):

GOALIES

1. Ethan Eskit — 5-10, 185, right.

WHL: 3.42 gaa, .893 save %, 1-0-0-0 record.

U18 Prep: 22gp, 2.21 gaa, .941 save%

The 17-year-old netminder is in a battle with Nick Jones to earn the backup role. He hasn’t made the final decision easy for Wheat Kings brass, matching Jones save for save through camp and the pre-season. He is ultra competitive, calm and seemingly always in position to face shooters. He will be a WHL goalie.

31. Carson Bjarnason — 6-3, 202, right.

47gp, 3.08 gaa, . 900 save %, 21-19-5-1 record.

The 18-year-old netminder was sensational early in his first year as a starter but seemed to wear down as the season went on and he appeared in a career-high 47 games. Still, he won games singlehandedly for his team, played with Canada at the IIHF U18 world championship and was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers. A healthy, rested Bjarnason can be a nightly difference maker.

33. Nick Jones — 6-1, 204, right.

24gp, 4.09 gaa, .864 save %, 4-14-3-0 record.

The 19-year-old backup was sensational at times last season and also had some forgettable nights at the rink. After a very good camp and allowing just one goal in two pre-season outings, he looks relaxed and confident in net. He will be counted for quality starts when the team rests Bjarnason.

DEFENCE

5. Tre Fouquette — 5-11, 204, right.

WHL: 3gp, 0g, 0a, 0p, 0pim.

SJHL: 47gp, 3g, 18a, 21p, 52pim.

The 19-year-old free agent brought 13 games of WHL experience scattered over three seasons to Brandon, and carved out a niche for himself. The gritty defender is good in his own end, and also has a hard shot that can find the net.

6. Eastyn Mannix — 6-3, 192, left.

25gp, 0g, 0a, 0p, 2 pim, -7 +/-

The 18-year-old defender was a healthy scratch for much of last season and didn’t have the opportunity to demonstrate the strong two-way game he showed at younger levels. He isn’t a flashy player but is most effective in his own end when he’s using that big stick to be disruptive and then making a good first pass to get the puck out of his end.

7. Charlie Elick — 6-3, 199, right.

56gp, 3g, 8a, 11p, 38 pim, -8 +/-

The big defenceman has packed another 10 pounds onto his frame since last season, and also seems more confident in his play with the puck. After a good rookie year, expectations will be high in the Calgary’s defender draft year. He also seems to be playing with a bit more of a defensive snarl, which will make even tougher to face.

8. Quinn Mantei — 6-0, 179, left.

67gp, 2g, 23a, 25p, 32pim, 10 +/-

The 18-year-old defender had a slow start last season due to an off-season injury, but got better and better and was simply the team’s most dependable blue-liner for much of the season. The league’s top academic player plays a quiet game, doing what needs to be done quickly and without a lot of drama. He’s not a big banger but is positionally very sound and a smart blue-liner.

12. Zach Turner — 6-2, 192, left.

22gp, 0g, 0a, 0p, 10pim, 0+/-

This is probably the last chance for the 19-year-old, second-round pick to make an impact. He’s been a frequent healthy scratch over his first two seasons, and in a bit of incredibly bad luck a year ago, developed mono just as Brandon was hit by injuries on the back end. If he ever finds the game he displayed in U15 and U18, he can be a regular WHL player.

27. Luke Shipley — 6-0, 186, right. 62gp, 9g, 22a, 31p, 76pim, 1+/- (overall)

43gp, 7g, 14a, 21p, 47pim, 0+/- (Brandon)

The smooth-skating, two-way defenceman came to Brandon in November with Tony Wilson from the Victoria Royals. The 19-year-old blue-liner had his peaks and valleys in Brandon last season, but with his first Wheat Kings camp under his belt, seems confident and motivated.

44. Andrei Malyavin — 5-11, 187, left.

59gp, 6g, 21a, 27p, 30pim, -15 +/-

Now 10 pounds heavier than a year ago, the 19-year-old Russian defender is a smart, puck-moving defenceman. A mid-season injury set him back but the elusive skater was finding his way again by the end of the season. He could be a candidate for power-play time, and with hard work in his own end, could become an invaluable part of his team.

47. Kayden Sadhra-Kang — 6-4, 208, left.

63gp, 1g, 17a, 18p, 50pim, +13 +/- (overall)

30gp, 0g, 8a, 8p, 20pim, +6 +/- (Brandon)

The big overage defenceman came over in a one-for-one trade for Mason Ward with the Swift Current Broncos, and took Ward’s number and stepped into his job on the top pairing with Quinn Mantei. He doesn’t play an especially heavy game but his lanky frame, positional awareness and good stick make him hard to play against.

FORWARDS

10. Caleb Hadland — 5-10, 181, left.

38gp, 3g, 4a, 7p, 6 pim, -7 +/-

The youngster was hurt early last season and by the time he returned, was months behind everyone else. He packed on seven pounds of muscle over the summer and looks noticeably thicker, and has shown plenty of offence in camp and the pre-season to complement his heavy, hard-working game. His work ethic, consistency and character make him an effective player.

11. Jayden Wiens — 5-9, 150, left.

42gp, 17g, 10a, 27p, 29 pim, +1 +/-

Wiens isn’t a huge player but makes up for it with a abundance of heart. He comes to Brandon from Saskatoon after a trade on Wednesday with a reputation as a hard-working, two-way player who has the ability to score. He also brings physicality, leadership and a strong presence in the dressing room.

13. Roger McQueen — 6-5, 190, right.

55gp, 4g, 10a, 14p, 26 pim, -16 +/-

The youngster, who turns 17 in early October, has grown another inch since last season and is eight pounds heavier. The fourth overall pick in the 2021 WHL draft represented Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup this summer and had four goals and three assists in five games. If he gets comfortable in that big frame, he could be very impactful.

17. Joby Baumuller — 5-11, 190, right.

WHL: 11gp, 2g, 1a, 3 p, 0 pim, -2 +/- U18 AAA: 35gp, 25g, 14a, 39p, 28pim, n/a +/-

The stocky youngster had a lengthy WHL debut at 15 last season after his team was knocked out of the playoffs early. He is utterly fearless, which can be rare for a player in their 16-year-old season, has an outstanding shot and a knack for putting the puck in the net. Look for him in front of the net when the puck is in the offensive zone.

18. Rylen Roersma — 5-11, 189, left.

65gp, 19g, 17a, 36p, 27pim, -7 +/-

There aren’t many WHL players who have his blend of elite speed and wicked shot, but inconsistency is an issue. When he’s hot, he can be red hot, but the team will need more even production from him, and a jump in points. This is a huge year for the 19-year-old Albertan, and he could be primed for a breakout.

19. Carter Klippenstein — 6-2, 170, left.

U18 Prep: 30gp, 13g, 25a, 38p, 40pim.

WHL: 2gp, 0g, 0a, 0p, 0pim.

If the way he drives his teammates crazy in intra-squad games and even practices with his aggression and hard work is any indication, Klippenstein won’t be earning much love from opponents this season. Quick on his feet and with the ability to score, Klippenstein will be counted on to make the Wheat Kings harder to play against.

20. Hayden Wheddon — 5-9, 179, left.

WHL: 6gp, 0g, 1a, 1p, 0pim.

MJHL: 43gp, 10g, 8a, 18p, 10pim.

The speedy, 18-year-old forward couldn’t find a place with the Edmonton Oil Kings so he spent most of last season with the expansion Niverville Nighthawks. After he was released, Wheddon was grabbed as a free agent by Brandon and seems to be a resourceful addition to the roster.

21. Tony Wilson — 5-10, 194, right.

58gp, 7g, 9a, 16p, 37 pim, -21 +/- (overall)

40gp, 5g, 8a, 13p, 16 pim, -8 +/- (Brandon)

Now in his 18-year-old season, the former Victoria Royal looks like a new player. During training camp and the pre-season, he’s shown more of an inclination to hang onto the puck and make plays, and if he’s able to produce and find consistency night to night, could take on an enhanced offensive assignment. He is a terrific skater.

22. Evan Groening — 6-1, 176, left.

57gp, 7g, 3a, 10p, 28 pim, -3 +/-

The hard-working, 18-year-old forward will also be counted on to be hard to play against defensively, while also chipping in with some offence. The speedy second-year player could develop into a guy you throw out against the other team’s top line.

29. Nate Danielson — 6-2, 188, right. 68gp, 33g, 45a, 78p, 38 pim, -12 +/-

The team’s co-captain played all 68 games last season, showing a two-way game that led to Detroit picking him ninth overall. His skating, intelligence, heavy shot and ability to thread passes to teammates make him impactful every night. He will get a long look for Canada’s world junior team.

74. Brett Hyland — 5-11, 194, left.

42gp, 26g, 21a, 47p, 54pim, +11 +/-

The overage alternate captain missed the end of last season with a knee injury but was still rewarded for a breakout season when Washington drafted him. Hyland isn’t an effortless skater but wills himself to the puck first with his unflagging work ethic. He is a team leader on and off the ice.

82. Dominik Petr — 6-2, 165, left.

U20: 18gp, 1g, 0a, 1p, 4pim.

The Czech forward, who speaks excellent English, came into his first camp in Brandon and quickly established as a very, very good offensive player. The lanky forward considers himself a pass-first guy, but scored in OT against Regina in the pre-season with a well-placed shot.

88. Dawson Pasternak — 5-9, 155, right.

55gp, 15g, 24a, 39p, 46pim, -11 +/- (overall)

27gp, 10g, 12a, 22p, 21pim, -5 +/- (Brandon)

A sore back kept Pasternak off the ice during training camp but he is practising with the team and may be back soon. The speedy overager from Winnipeg combines terrific offensive skills with an unexpected feistiness from a smaller player. If healthy, he could have a huge year.

91. Nolan Flamand — 5-9, 178, left. 63gp, 13g, 18a, 31p, 16 pim, -11 +/- (overall)

28gp, 9g, 6a, 15p, 6 pim, -3 +/- (Brandon)

The 19-year-old forward was a little bit snake-bitten offensively after arriving from the Kelowna Rockets at the trade deadline, but does so many little things right that the lack of point production wasn’t crushing. He has the ability and hockey IQ to break out.

• 11-YEAR GLANCE: (GF is goals for, GA is goals against, PP is power play, PK is penalty kill, the numeral in brackets is rank in the entire WHL.)

2022-23

26-33-8-1, 5th in division, 10th in conference.

GF: 212 (15th).

GA: 242 (T14th).

PP: 21.1 (13th).

PK: 78.4 (11th).

2021-22 35-28-3-2, 4th in division, 6th in conference. GF: 218 (12th).

GA: 242 (15th).

PP: 20.6 (13th).

PK: 79.4 (9th).

2020-21

18-4-2-0, 1st in division. (No conference play.)

Teams didn’t all play 24 games.

GF: 104 (Tie 1st).

GA: 61 (6th).

PP: 34.5 (2nd).

PK: 77.6 (12th).

2019-20

35-22-4-2, 3rd in division, 6th in conference.

GF: 227 (9th).

GA: 173 (7th).

PP: 19.7 (15th).

PK: 85.8 (2nd).

2018-19

31-29-4-4, 4th in division, 9th in conference.

GF: 230 (10th).

GA: 243 (18th).

PP: 20.4 (15th).

PK: 71.8 (21st).

2017-18

40-27-3-2, 4th in division, 4th in conference.

GF: 272 (7th).

GA: 255 (13th).

PP: 23.0 (10th).

PK: 74.2 (20th).

2016-17

31-31-7-3, 4th in division, 7th in conference.

GF: 225 (16th).

GA: 247 (10th).

PP: 22.0 (9th).

PK: 79.3 (10th).

2015-16

48-18-4-2, 1st in division, 1st in conference.

GF: 316 (1st).

GA: 197 (4th).

PP: 23.4 (4th).

PK: 81.4 (5th).

2014-15

53-11-4-4, 1st in division, 1st in conference.

GF: 340 (1st).

GA: 219 (7th).

PP: 25.7 (2nd).

PK: 77.1 (17th).

2013-14

34-29-6-3, 3rd in division, 7th in conference.

GF: 271 (5th).

GA: 269 (17th).

PP: 25.9 (2nd).

PK: 75.2 (18th).

2012-13

24-40-4-4, 6th in division, 12th in conference.

GF: 189 (19th).

GA: 299 (20th).

PP: 16.2 (18th).

PK: 71.7 (22nd).