Wheat Kings feel future is bright

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.

Any player who has (signed) included in their description has already signed with the Wheat Kings.

The stats were compiled on Tuesday.

2025 DRAFT PICKS

(2010-born, 15-year-old season)

CRUZ JIM, D

• Round 1, 12th overall. (signed).

• Home: Grande Prairie, Alta.

• 5-8, 159 lbs, R.

• Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Prep.

• 11gp, 2g, 6a, 8p, 22pim.

• BWK: 2gp, 0g, 0a, 0p, 0pim.

• MOULTON: “Cruz has been good. Unfortunately we sent him back banged up the last time we had him so he missed some games. Cruz does there what he does with us. He controls the play, he drives shifts, he’s a leader. He hasn’t put up huge offensive numbers because of being injured. Every game he plays, he’s on the power play, he’s moving the puck, he’s leading from the back end. He’s growing as we want him to grow and preparing for next year.”

AHMAD FAYAD, F

• Round 2, 38th overall. (signed).

• Home: Edmonton.

• 5-9, 180 lbs, L.

• Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Prep.

• 11gp, 5g, 7a, 12p, 40pim.

• MOULTON: “He’s another kid who is injured and has missed some games and his point totals dropped off from before he was injured. He was right near the top of his team in scoring and playing on the power play and creating and using his skill and hockey sense. Up to the point he was injured, he was playing really well. He plays on an NAX team that is quite a bit younger than most teams in the league so they have their struggles at times but he was really good. I thought he was exceptional at the WHL Cup, as was Cruz.”

JOFFREY CHAN, G

• Round 4, 83rd overall. (signed).

• Home: Vancouver.

• 6-1, 184 lbs, L.

• St. George’s School U17 Prep.

• 12gp, 2.74 gaa, 922 save%.

• MOULTON: “He’s another guy who was injured or sick for a while and missed opportunities but in the last few weeks he’s really elevated his game. He had a slow start, was banged up, and is now really starting to elevate his game and has helped his team in the last few games.”

LOGAN OLSEN, D

• Round 5, 107th overall.

• Home: Warman, Sask.

• 5-11, 149 lbs, R.

• Warman Wildcats U18 AA.

• 19gp, 1g, 3a, 4p, 25pim.

• MOULTON: “He’s coming along. The Saskatchewan U18 league is tough. It’s almost like a junior league, it’s a lot more physical. It’s the largest jump, from U15 to U18 in Saskatchewan, and he’s handled himself well. He’s moving the puck. I’m sure he wants to put up better numbers than he has but the games I’ve seen him, he’s growing his game and doing good things. He plays a regular shift as a young defenceman on a good team and he’s growing. We just have to be patient.”

MARK MUNDAY, F

• Round 7, 146th overall.

• Home: Winnipeg.

• 5-8, 158 lbs, R.

• Winnipeg Wild U18 AAA.

• 29gp, 5g, 7a, 12p, 10pim.

• MOULTON: “He’s probably another guy who wanted to put up bigger numbers but he’s another young guy in an older league doing his thing. To be honest, I think Mark has more to give. He’s very skilled and I think he’s very smart and I’m hoping in the second half he takes one more step that allows him to create more offensively.”

LOGAN DOSENBERGER, D

• Round 7, 153rd overall.

• Home: Regina.

• 6-0, 175 lbs, L.

• Regina Pat Canadians U18 AAA.

• 4gp, 0g, 1a, 1p, 0pim.

• MOULTON: “He’s been injured until last week. There’s nothing to report but in his first game back he got a nice assist and is starting to feel like himself again. I’m excited for his second half. I get to see him at Christmas.”

BRAYDEN WATT, F

• Round 8, 176th overall.

• Home: Brandon.

• 5-10, 160 lbs, L.

• Brandon Wheat Kings U17 AAA.

• 19gp, 12g, 18a, 30p, 12pim.

• U18: 5gp, 1g, 2a, 3p, 0pim.

• MOULTON: “I think he was disappointed that he didn’t make the U18 AAA team but I think going to play U17 has been hugely beneficial for him. He’s just under two points a game last time I checked and is doing really well. He’s a team leader and he gets all those opportunities he might not get at U18. When he’s gone up to U18, he’s really handled himself well.”

LIAM GREEN, D

• Round 10, 222nd overall.

• Home: Winnipeg.

• 5-9, 140 lbs, L.

• Winnipeg Wild U17 AAA.

• 19gp, 3g, 12a, 15p, 8pim.

• MOULTON: “He’s another guy who is playing U17. He plays on the first unit power play, plays a ton of minutes, a go-to guy for his team. He’s getting bigger, he’s growing. His dad was a big man and a pro and we have to be patient with Liam but I actually really, really like the way he plays the game. He moves the puck and competes and had a real good first half.”

TRISTAN WILL, F

• Round 11, 245th overall.

• Home: Woodbury, Minn.

• 6-0, 174 lbs, R.

• Hill-Murray School.

• 6gp, 2g, 1a, 3p, 4pim.

• MOULTON: “I know he had a pretty good start to the year. In Minnesota, it’s just different, where they play in a league and then join their high school team. He’s a really good player, and he’s one of the youngest players on his high school team. It’s going to be really good for him. Tristan is an elite athlete and I think he’s just going to adjust at every level he plays.”

TAREN ANDERSON, F

• Round 12, 268th overall.

• Home: Pilot Butte, Sask.

• 5-9, 163 lbs, R.

• Estevan Bears U18 AAA.

• 26gp, 3g, 6a, 9p, 14pim.

• MOULTON: “We sent the guys to watch him the other day because he wasn’t putting up the numbers that I thought he would, but in saying that, our guys that watch him say he plays the game the right way. He’s another guy who is going to take some time but our guys say ‘You know what Moults, don’t worry about the numbers right now because he’s doing a lot of good things, he’s competing like crazy, he makes the right decisions, he doesn’t turn pucks over.’”

2025 U.S. DRAFT

(2010-born, 15-year-old season)

LEVI ELLINGSEN, F

• Round 1, 1st overall. (signed).

• Home: Pasco, Wash.

• 6-0, 176 lbs, L.

• Northern Alberta Xtreme U18 Prep.

• 15gp, 4g, 13a, 17p, 44pim.

• MOULTON: “We wondered what the adjustment to play at NAX would be like. We’re very deep in that 2010 age group but Levi is in the top two or three in scoring, plays on every power play, continues to be a rat, plays hard — really hard — and makes guys play. Levi is going to be very well prepared to make the step next year.”

AYVEN HONTVET, D

• Round 2, 46th overall.

• Home: Warroad, Minn.

• 6-1, 221 lbs, L.

• Warroad High.

• 9gp, 3g, 8a, 11p, 14pim.

• MOULTON: “He seemed to be doing OK when I talked to him. He’s another guy who is just getting into his body. It’s a patience thing, but for a big man, he creates offence, he’s regularly on the scoresheet. Once he starts to get even more mobile and more active, he’s going to be a really good player for that big frame.”

2024 DRAFT PICKS

(2009-born, 16-year-old season)

EASTEN TURKO, D

• Round 3, 59th overall (signed).

• Home: McCreary.

• 5-9, 152 lbs, L.

• Brandon, U18 AAA.

• 23gp, 7g, 27a, 34p, 12pim.

• MOULTON: “Turks has really taken a step. We always pushed him to step outside of his comfort zone. He’s so intelligent … The game is pretty easy for him so sometimes it looks like he’s really not pushing himself. We’ve mentioned on multiple occasions for him just to give us a little more, and I think he’s done that. I think he’s far more engaged, he’ll drive a shift, he got almost a point and a half per game. He’s grown a bit. Easten is doing everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s going to help our defence in the future for sure.”

URIJAH MOOSETAIL, G

• Round 4, 81st overall.

• Home: Brandon.

• 6-0, 195 lbs, L.

• Brandon, U18 AAA.

• 17gp, 1.86 gaa, .931 save%.

• MOULTON: “He’s another guy who just needed a year at U17. There was a little bit of disappointment and a little bit of adversity but in saying that, all of a sudden now he’s played 17 games at U18 and I think he’s lost twice with over a .930 save percentage. It’s just patience. They think they’re running out of time, we know they’re not running out of time. That one year in U17 allowed him to grow as a person and a player.”

ETHAN YOUNG, D

• Round 4, 85th overall. (signed).

• Home: Regina. 5-11, 163 lbs, L.

• Regina Pat Canadians, U18 AAA.

• 27gp, 7g, 43a, 50p, 22pim.

• MOULTON: “He’s having a special year. At one point he was leading the league in scoring and is definitely in the top five or 10 as a defenceman all year. He’s doing the right things. He’s engaged, he’s moving the puck. Last year he didn’t see as much power-play time, now he’s on the power play and playing in every situation. He’s lifted his game to another level. In my opinion, he could play in our league right now, without a doubt. We just happen to have enough D-man, but one thing about Ethan, you don’t want to rush him while he’s having that success.”

CARSON PARK, F

• Round 5, 107th overall.

• Home: Pilot Butte, Sask.

• 5-8, 151 lbs, L.

• Moose Jaw Warriors, U18 AAA.

• 17gp, 8g, 22a, 30p, 4pim.

• SJHL: 2gp, 2g, 1a, 3p, 0pim.

• MOULTON: “He got injured too and missed a few weeks. He’s just doing Parkie things, competing like crazy, playing with energy, creating offence, winning puck battles, all those things. Last year, he was a little bit disappointed at times with the ice time he got, but he’s getting it now and is at almost two points a game and five points back of the team leader and he’s played five less games … He’s a competitor. He’s another guy who is really close to being ready to play.”

MASON CHUBEY, F

• Round 8, 169th overall.

• Home: Winnipeg.

• 5-10, 168 lbs, R.

• Wpg Bruins, U18 AAA.

• 24gp, 14g, 16a, 30p, 6pim.

• MOULTON: “It’s a grind playing in that Manitoba U18 league and he’s doing really well. He’s creating some offence. Knowing Mason, I think he wants more points: He wants to be on the scoresheet, he wants to contribute offence every night but for his first year in U18, he’s over a point of game, he’s showing his skill. His team scores a lot and they’ve got some depth there so he’s mixed in with everybody. Mason is doing what he needs to do. He’s got skill and he’s got a lot of hockey sense.”

2024 U.S. DRAFT

(2009-born, 16-year-old season)

COLIN GRUBB, F

• Round 1, 14th overall.

• Home: Minot, N.D.

• 5-11, 174 lbs, L.

• Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep.

• 33gp, 8g, 17a, 25p, 4pim.

• MOULTON: “Colin is extremely intelligent and strong on pucks. He puts himself in the right positions, he plays on a high-profile U18 team at Shattuck that plays some of the best teams in the country every weekend. He’s been good.”

ETHAN SUNG, F

• Round 2, 36th overall.

• Home: Los Angeles, Calif.

• 5-8, 165 lbs, R.

• Shattuck St. Mary’s 18U Prep.

• 33gp, 13g, 22a, 35p, 12pim.

• MOULTON: “Same team (as Grubb). He’s a little bit smaller more energetic but it’s the same thing. He’s a point-per-game guy, creating offence, playing on the power play. I believe both kids could be on our hockey team next year.”

2023 DRAFT PICKS

(2008-born, 17-year-old season)

JACK SWAENEPOEL, D

• Round 7, 138th overall.

• Home: Souris.

• 6-4, 215 lbs, L.

• Winkler, MJHL.

• 16gp, 1g, 1a, 2p, 2pim.

• MOULTON: “They didn’t have the deepest defensive corps in Winkler and now all of a sudden they have some guys back so he’s struggling to get into the lineup. But he’s continuing to work hard every day and I talked to the coach, and they really like him. They’re trying to get him in as much as they can. The thing with Swanny is he wants to play.”

LIST PLAYERS

(2010-born, 15-year-old season)

CONNOR DWYER, G

• Home: Bismarck, N.D.

• 6-0, 190 lbs, L.

• Bishop Kearney Selects 15U AAA.

• 16gp, 2.06 gaa, .923 save%.

• MOULTON: “He’s good, really good. He’s playing at Bishop Kearney, which is an elite program, he’s playing very well. He’s one of the better goalies in the States in his age group for sure. He’s a good kid from North Dakota, and Bishop Kearney has brought the best out of him. He’s got a chance to play as well. This kid is a helluva goaltender.”

BEN STATTELMAN, F

• Home: Grand Forks, N.D.

• n/a.

• MOULTON: “He’s playing U14 because when you have a later birthday, you can play a year back. He was in Winnipeg a few weeks ago and played the game heavy, played the game hard, showed skill. Our scouts really, really liked him. He has an interest in Brandon and loves the fact it’s only three hours away. We expect him to come push our other 2010 forwards.”

CAMERON COULTER, F

• Home: Moorhead, Minn.

• n/a.

• PEL North Stars.

• n/a gp, 15g, 4a, 19p, n/a pim.

MOULTON: “He’s a very skilled, highly intelligent player. He creates offence, sees the ice really well. He was already on our draft list and has been on our radar but he’s taken another step. We just wanted to have some depth in our forward with the 2010s.”

(2009-born, 16-year-old season)

CARSON RALPH, F

• Home: St. Albert, Alta.

• 5-10, 187 lbs, L. (signed).

• St. Albert, U18 AAA.

• 22gp, 11g, 10a, 21p, 26pim.

• BWK: 2gp, 0g, 1a, 1p, 0pim.

• MOULTON: “He played U17 last year, probably could have played U18 last year and probably wanted to play U18 last year, but he went to U17 and played a ton and played in all the tough spots and was an on-ice leader. Now all of a sudden he’s playing at the U18 level and he’s elevated his game. Everybody I talk to, even outside of our organization, says ‘Man, has this kid ever taken a step.’ I would like for him to be more consistent. There are some games where I’m thinking ‘Oh my God, he’s dominant,’ and then there are some where he probably could have done a little bit more. He’s a point-per-game, he plays in all situations, he plays with energy and he has a little bit of grease to him and isn’t afraid to engage physically and push back. I’m really happy with Ralphie.”

AXEL GLEASMAN, F

• Home: Snomass, Colo.

• 6-5, 228 lbs, L.

• OHA Colorado, 16U AAA.

• 35gp, 8g, 10a, 18p, n/a pim.

• MOULTON: “We have to be patient with him, and he has to be patient with his big body. He’s playing at a higher level again and combining physicality with skill. He’s always going to be a work in progress until he grows into everything. He’s had a pretty decent first half.”

BRONSYN MOUILLE, F

• Home: Peace River, Alta.

• 6-2, 178 lbs, R.

• OHA Edmonton, U18 prep.

• 19gp, 5g, 12a, 17p, 18pim.

• AJHL: 1gp, 0g, 0a, 0p, 2pim.

• MOULTON: “He went from NAX to OHA Edmonton and has become one of their leaders. I talked to the guy who runs the program the other day and they’re grateful they have him. I think he’s second on the team in scoring, he’s bringing an element of physicality. He’s what we don’t have. We have a lot of skill but he has skill and he also plays the game physically and heavy. He’s going to be real close to playing next year too. We have to see if we can find homes for these guys but he’s a big horse with skill.”

WILL KATSILIERIS, D

• Home: Calgary.

• 6-1, 176 lbs, L.

• Calgary Flames, U18.

• 20gp, 2g, 13a, 15p, 12pim.

• MOULTON: “He had a slow start and it was ‘OK buddy, you have to get going,’ and then within a month and a half or two into the season, he started to cook and is getting on the scoreboard. He plays on a team where they’re deep on defence and all six guys play in all situations so it’s not like he can jump ahead of everybody, but when he gets those opportunities, he’s really good. Will is going to play in the league.”

(2007-born, 18-year-old season)

HUDSON LANDMARK, D

• Home: Sherwood Park, Alta.

• 6-3, 195 lbs, R.

• Canmore, AJHL,

• 22gp, 4g, 19a, 23p, 8pim.

• MOULTON: “He was drafted and then dropped and then listed and dropped but he’s really taken a step playing in Canmore. He was actually at the World Junior A Challenge with Canada West. He’s a six-foot-three, 195-pound guy with skill, plays in tough spots, goes to the net. We thought of all the unlisted and non-signed guys in Junior A, he was the one guy we thought we needed to put on our list. He wants to play in the league, and whether that’s this year or next year, he’s a good player who probably should be playing in our league.”

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