Brandon lands WHL prospects game
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The Brandon Wheat Kings and Keystone Centre will serve as host of the 2027 WHL prospects game.
The Western Hockey League officially unveiled the news on Saturday afternoon prior to Brandon’s 4-2 victory over the visiting Regina Pats.
WHL commissioner Dan Near said it was an easy choice.
Brandon Wheat Kings owner Jared Jacobson speaks during a press conference on Saturday afternoon as Western Hockey League announced the Wheat Kings and Keystone Centre will host the 2027 edition of the WHL Prospects Game on Feb. 17, 2027. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
“It’s long overdue for the WHL to be back in Brandon for a major event,” Near said. “We couldn’t be more excited to be bringing the absolute best NHL draft prospects to Manitoba.”
Brandon hasn’t hosted a major special event for the WHL or Canadian Hockey League since November 2014 when Team WHL dropped a 3-2 shootout decision to Team Russia during the 2014 CHL Canada-Russia Super Series.
Prior to that, Brandon hosted the Memorial Cup in 2010.
“(It will be) the absolute best in talent the WHL has to offer,” Near said. “The group of players that hit the ice at the Keystone Centre will be handpicked by NHL Central Scouting and the 32 NHL clubs. You’ll have seen the names on the Central Scouting lists for the 2027 draft, meaning they’re among the best junior-aged hockey players in the world.”
The game will be held on Feb. 17, 2027. Wheat Kings season ticket holders receive priority access to tickets, with the date of public sale to be announced at a later date.
The inaugural WHL prospects game, which included 44 players from around the league including Brandon defenceman Gio Pantelas, was hosted by the Vancouver Giants at the Langley Events Centre on Feb. 18, 2026, with Team East beating Team West 5-4 in overtime.
More than 200 National Hockey League scouts were in attendance.
Wheat Kings owner Jared Jacobson said it’s a good fit for Brandon.
“We are a community that truly loves hockey,” Jacobson said. “Our fans are passionate, knowledgeable and they bring an energy to the rink that makes the Keystone Centre a special place.”
Jason Roblin is serving as the organizing committee chairperson.
Brandon mayor Jeff Fawcett, Keystone Centre board chair Bruce Luebke and Brandon East MLA Glen Simard also spoke during the 15-minute event.
While Fawcett drew chuckles from the crowd when he suggested the Wheat Kings were on their way to winning to the next two Memorial Cups, Luebke noted the facility has more big announcements coming.
For more from WHL commissioner Dan Near, see Tuesday’s edition of The Brandon Sun.
pbergson@brandonsun.com