BWK CAMP: Incoming rookies gained some experience

If everything works out for the Brandon Wheat Kings, some Western Hockey League auditions last season will turn into quick starts this year for their incoming rookie class.

Defencemen Cruz Jim, Easten Turko and Ethan Young plus forwards Levi Ellingsen, Carson Ralph and Carson Park all played for the Wheat Kings during the 2025-26 season, and others such as forward Ahmad Fayad and goalies Urijah Moosetail and Joffrey Chan also spent time with the club.

“It’s very valuable that they could some experience in the league (last season),” Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said. “All those guys had multiple games, and I hope it helps them understand what it takes to be an every-day player and what the league is all about with the competitiveness and the quality of play, along with the travel, getting to a hotel at 3 in the morning and playing again the next day.

“It turns you from a boy into a man pretty quick.”

The team’s training camp begins Thursday evening at Assiniboine Credit Union Place. On a club that lost six forwards, six defencemen and a goalie from last year’s club, there will be jobs to compete for.

The team will also get its first look in Brandon at highly touted American forward Colin Grubb of Minot, N.D., who spent last season at Shattuck St. Mary’s prep school. Brandon took him in the first round of the 2024 U.S. Priority Draft.

“We’re really looking forward to seeing them all,” Murray said. “See of these guys got a taste and got their feet wet a little bit but there are players like Colin Grubb who could come in and be a real impact player as a first-year guy.

“We talk about Ellingsen and Ralph and Fayed and Park and the list goes on and on. Those kids are champing at the bit to try to make the hockey club. I know they’re hungry, I know it’s going to be a real competitive camp.

“The same thing goes on, on the back end. You talk about Young, Turko, Jim, those guys are coming in to play. They are going to push other players. There are a number of guys who have some junior experience coming in who can push and some younger kids who are knocking at the door. It will be fun to sit back and watch.”

Grubb is committed to the University of North Dakota for the 2028-29 season, although schools have shown a willingness to take a player in a year earlier after a breakout campaign.

Camp will provide Murray and the team’s first look at the nine members of their most recent draft class. Because he serves as GM and head coach, he doesn’t get to do much scouting and is genuinely curious about first-round pick Rylan Edwards and the rest of the group.

“Our scouts do a tremendous job of pounding the pavement and drafting,” Murray said. “I’m looking forward to seeing everybody, Edwards all the way down. It’s always great to meet those kids first and foremost to get a little bit of an idea about their personalties and what makes them tick, then ultimately to see them on the ice.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the class of 2011 and throwing them right into the mix with everybody. It’s amazing how quickly they’re able to adapt and play at the pace and level that they see in training camp.”

There will also be dozens of camp invitees who could make an impression, including some older Junior A players. Murray and his staff will give them every chance to succeed and surprise.

“For me, that’s one of the best parts of training camp,” Murray said. “You have kids who maybe you don’t have pencilled into your roster or maybe even pencilled in to signing a contract. I love those situations where there are kids coming in who earn an opportunity whether it’s making your team or signing a contract or what have you.

“I firmly believe that once you get to camp, it doesn’t matter if you’re drafted in the first round or you’re a free agent, you have an opportunity to make an impression. Those kids who come in and do, it’s fun to see them get rewarded.”

» pbergson@brandonsun.com