WHL NOTEBOOK: Wheat Kings rookies find much to cherish

In an annual rite of passage in this space, this year’s crop of Brandon Wheat Kings rookies were asked what they enjoy about playing in the Western Hockey League.

CHASE SURKAN

“Obviously it’s super special. Not everyone gets to play in this league. It’s one of the best development leagues in the world for a reason. I’m taking it as best as I can. It’s an advantage being against bigger guys with a faster pace. I think I’ve gotten used to it so far. All the older guys have been huge in helping me develop into the league.”

MAX LAVOIE

“It’s the way we get treated. All the staff here is wonderful, the equipment staff, training staff, coaches. We’re treated like professionals. It’s spending time with the boys, the bus trips, going through the grind together, going through the suck, it’s a lot of fun. You get to do it with a group you’re so close with. The billet families are unreal here.”

PRABH BHATHAL

“It’s everything that comes with it. It’s almost equivalent to a pro lifestyle so waking up early in the morning and just being disciplined all the time. Also everybody here is a lot more mature and friendly. The travel is kind of hard, it takes a toll on your body but I guess it gets you ready for the next level and the next step. It’s a big jump but I’m really enjoying it so far.”

GUNNAR GLEASMAN

“My favourite thing about being a WHL player is living that pro lifestyle and having great teammates and great billets and just playing hockey for fun every day.”

RYAN BOYCE

“The thing I love most about the league is, first of all, the level of play and the exposure you get. The fanbase here in Brandon especially is pretty crazy. We get recognition when we’re volunteering and see how excited everyone is to see us. It’s pretty special to have that role in the community.

“As well, it’s the facilities. The room here is amazing. The coaches are good, playing in front of a crowd every night is great. I couldn’t ask for a better league to be in at this stage of my career. I’m loving it. The billets are great. They do everything I need and are super kind people. I couldn’t have asked for a better living situation while I’m here.”

JIMMY EGAN

“I think it’s just the development aspect of the WHL. I just try to take in everything I can and learn. I can come in and work out whenever I want and there is extra ice. We have Dudes (director of player development Riley Dudar) to help us for skills. I think taking all that in to help me better my game is the best part of the WHL.

“The billets are awesome. I have a great family and I’m lucky with that. It makes it a lot easier to transition with a great family. Guys can get homesick and having a good family helps with supporting you. It really helps.”

FILIP RUZICKA

“The hockey level is so good here. It’s very different than Czechia. It’s hard but the facilities are so nice, everything that we need and we want. Everything is very good. The guys are very good, they welcomed me. I’m very happy here. The billets are new for me. For these guys maybe not, but for me it’s new and I have a very, very good family and very good billets. I’m happy with my billets. I would like to say hi and thank them. I love my billets.”

CAMERON ALLARD

“The thing that makes this league so special is the way we get treated everywhere. We’re treated as if we’re pros in town. You get met on the street and they know who you are. For me, my billets make it especially awesome. I live with the Calverts, and obviously Matt Calvert was with the Wheat Kings and had a great career and played in the NHL for a while so there’s lots of wisdom I can learn from him. We talk the game a lot at home so that’s an awesome part of playing.

“And just playing the game, it’s so much quicker than any other league and it’s so smooth and systematic. It’s fun playing when the boys get going and everyone seems to be flowing the same. It’s just awesome.

“And lastly, the grind. Guys say it sucks, the bus rides, practising every day, workouts, I love it. Coming home late, maybe it sucks at the time, but I’ll miss these times at some point in my life and being with the boys is just the best part.”

THIS AND THAT

• QUIZ — Through 26 games, rookie forward Chase Surkan has 18 goals and 32 points and has joined some exclusive company in Brandon history. Since the dawn of the WHL’s Internet era in the 1996-97 season, 13 other Wheat Kings have had 25 or more points in their 16-year-old season. How many can you name?

• WEEKLY AWARDS — The player of the week is 17-year-old product Spokane Chiefs forward Mathis Preston of Penticton, B.C., who had two goals and two assists in his only game last week. He received an A rating by the National Hockey League’s Central Scouting in its Preliminary Players to Watch List for the 2026 draft.

The goaltender of the week is 17-year-old Seattle Thunderbirds netminder Marek Sklenicka of Litvinov, Czechia, who won both his starts with a 0.48 goals-against average, .986 save percentage and one shutout.

The rookie of the week is 16-year-old Victoria Royals forward Ludovic Perreault of Winnipeg, who had four goals and an assist in two games last week.

• TRADE FRONT — There have been no deals since last Monday and the trade freeze is now in effect.

• SIN BIN — Edmonton Oil Kings forward Kanjyu Gojsic earned two games for a match penalty vs. Brandon on Sunday for an attempt to injure Brady Turko.

• ALUMNI GLANCE — Ridly Greig, 23, is now in his fourth full season with the Ottawa Senators. In 30 games this season, he has two goals, nine assists, 11 points and 43 penalty minutes. He already has 200 career games under his belt, with 80 points and 181 penalty minutes.

Brandon surprised some WHL draft aficionados when they grabbed him eighth overall in 2017, but in four seasons — two of which were interrupted by COVID — he skated in 183 regular seasons games, posting 191 points, 271 penalty minutes and a plus-minus of +54. The Lethbridge product graduated as captain after the 2021-22 season.

• THE WEEK AHEAD — The break began after Friday afternoon’s game in Calgary. The players have to be back in Brandon on Boxing Day to visit the Moose Jaw Warriors on Dec. 27. Their next home game is against the Warriors on Sunday, Dec. 28 at 4 p.m.

• ANSWER — Here’s a look at Brandon’s previous players who hit 25 points in their 16-year-old season, in order from most to fewest.

Brayden Schenn (2007-08, 66gp, 28g, 43a, 71p).

Scott Glennie (2007-08, 61gp, 26g, 32a, 58p).

Nolan Patrick (2014-15, 55gp, 30g, 26a, 56p).

Jaxon Jacobson (2024-25, 51gp, 15g, 29a, 44p).

Jayce Hawryluk (2012-13, 61gp, 18g, 25a, 43p).

Ryan Pulock (2010-11, 63gp, 8g, 34a, 42p).

Ryan Stone (2001-02, 65gp, 11g, 27a, 38p).

Mike Wirll (1998-99, 44gp, 16g, 21a, 37p).

Ridly Greig (2018-19, 63gp, 14g, 21a, 35p).

Stelio Mattheos (2015-16, 50gp, 13g, 17a, 30p).

Micheal Ferland (2008-09, 61gp, 9g, 19a, 28p).

Eric Fehr (2001-02, 63gp, 11g, 16a, 27p).

Jesse Gabrielle (2013-14, 49gp, 12g, 14a, 26p).

Taylor Cooper (2012-13, 64gp, 9g, 16a, 25p).

Schenn holds the high-water marks of 71 points and 43 assists, while Patrick’s 30 goals remain the most scored.