Jim thrilled to join Wheat Kings

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This article was published 10/05/2025 (290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As excited as the Brandon Wheat Kings were to grab defenceman Cruz Jim in the Western Hockey League draft on Wednesday, the feeling was mutual.

With the 12th overall pick, which had originally belonged to the Portland Winterhawks before the 2024 deadline deal involving former Wheat Kings captain Nate Danielson, Brandon added the explosive young defenceman to its stable of prospects.

“I’m beyond excited,” Jim said. “It’s something you dream about for a long time. I know Brandon is a really great spot, the fans are really passionate about the small-town hockey and I know it’s a great atmosphere and they have a great organization. I’m super, super excited.”

Jim was born and raised in Grande Prairie, leaving two years ago to live in Edmonton and play for the highly successful Northern Alberta Xtreme program.

Jim began to skate around age four and began to play soon after.

“It’s taken off since then,” Jim said. “I’ve always loved it, I always loved the game.”

When he was younger, Jim tried a variety of sports, from soccer, baseball to basketball, and even competitive swimming.

“I like them all and it was good to get those experiences but none of them ever really stuck with me like hockey,” Jim said.

On the ice, he actually played forward until U13, and then switched to defence. He would sometimes play forward in spring hockey but eventually settled on the blue-line for good. But he thinks the time up front helped his game.

“I thunk it’s pretty helpful having that perspective of what the forward go through,” Jim said. “It’s kind of eye opening. It’s good to know what they go through.”

While his younger siblings Mateo and Sola still play hockey and his old brother Ty did, no one has played at a higher level in an extended family that includes father Kyn and mother Melissa. Cruz said his parents were instrumental in putting him in a position to succeed.

“My parents have meant the world to me for as long as I can remember,” Jim said. “They’ve always been trying to give me the best opportunity to grow and find success, whether that’s driving everywhere for hockey or all that good stuff. They’ve meant so much to me.”

Jim used to get to some Edmonton Oil Kings when he was younger, enjoying the chance to see them in Rogers Place. It also gave him a sense of what may lie ahead.

“It was super cool looking up to those guys in the Western Hockey League,” Jim said. “When you’re younger, you hope to do the same one day. It’s the stuff you dream about and it’s super cool I got drafted now and hopefully I can make it happen.”

NAX had a sensational season, going 33-3-0-0, but the two-time Canadian Sport School Hockey League champions ultimately fell 4-3 to the Delta Hockey Academy in the final.

“I was really happy with it,” Jim said. “Our team found a lot of success. All the guys grew a lot and I felt like a grew a lot as a player but as a person as well. It was a super successful season in my opinion.”

After posting 17 points in 27 games in his minor U15 season, he exploded for 13 goals and 53 assists in 35 games with 42 penalty minutes with NAX this season, and added five points in five playoff games.

He also had an assist in a pair of callups by the U18 club.

NAX has a long history of getting players drafted, and Jim was well aware the scouts were watching all season. He just tried to put them out of his mind.

“I just try and enjoy the game and try not to think about it too much,” Jim said. “I just go out there and play my game and enjoy it while it lasts and try not to look into the stands.”

On draft day, his mother and brother Mateo drove down to Edmonton, and the three were together in a hotel room when the first round was held on Wednesday evening. They were watching together on his laptop when his name was called.

“It was awesome,” Jim said. “That’s the kind of stuff you dream about and think about for a long, long time and it was so special being there with them in that moment.”

While Jim has never set foot in Brandon, he was thrilled with his destination, and the fact he knew where his future path lay.

“It’s super exciting to be drafted by Brandon,” Jim said. “It’s definitely a relief. You’re waiting to hear your name be called and then they call you. so it’s a lot of relief there and then a ton of excitement for what’s to come. It’s just an awesome feeling.”

Another surprise lay ahead.

Jim actually lives with Brandon’s second-round pick, high-scoring forward Ahmad Fayad as he plays with NAX, and the two have become close friends. Jim was thrilled his buddy will also be coming to Brandon.

“I think it’s awesome,” Jim said. “It’s not something you totally expect at all. He’s a good player and we have a lot of chemistry together. I’m super excited.”

After he was drafted, Jim immediately heard from Brandon director of hockey operations Chris Moulton and head coach and general manager Marty Murray, plus senior scout Brennen York. In addition, he received texts from a pair of veterans, defenceman Gio Pantelas and forward Roger McQueen welcoming him to the organization.

When Moulton was asked about his first-round pick, he was effusive in his praise.

“On-ice leadership, great vision, just competes, doesn’t like to lose, wants the puck on his stick when the game is on the line.,” Moulton said. “He’s the total package when it comes to creating offence and helping his team have success. He does all the little things, checks all the right boxes.

“He’s one of those guys going into the last minute of the game, you have him on the ice. You always want those guys. He’s extremely good on the power play and gets pucks through. He’s going to help our offence for years to come.”

Jim also provided a scouting report.

“I think I’m a really dynamic two-way defenceman,” Jim said. “I think I have great vision with the puck on my stick and get up the ice quick and get back quick. I close time and space pretty well with my skating, I’m a really good passer, and I think I’m really creative. I can make time and space for my teammates and make some plays.”

At the same time, he sees area for growth and has targeted things he wants to be better.

“I’m always trying to work on my consistency with my offensive game,” Jim said. “Consistency is super important and something you can always get better, whether it’s changing your routine or more the mental aspect of the game.”

ICINGS: On Thursday, the Everett Silvertips acquired Swift Current Broncos alternate captain Rylan Gould of Headingley for the rights to 2009-born forward Kasey Gleim of Chaplin, Sask., and a first-round pick in 2026. Gould scored 29 goals and added 37 assists in 60 games last season. The Broncos had nine 2005-born players who will be overagers next season, and sent two to Brandon on Wednesday, defenceman Grayson Burzynski and forward Luke Mistelbacher in a deal that included another first-round pick. Gleim played the last three seasons in the Swift Current Legionnaires system.

» pbergson@brandonsun.com