BWK CAMP: Dynamic duo expected to lead offence

While the Brandon Wheat Kings continue to have enviable depth up front, there are two straws that will need to continue stirring the offensive drink.

Joby Baumuller enters his fourth season in the Western Hockey League as an established scorer after a 40-goal campaign in 2025-26, and Jaxon Jacobson begins his third season after an 85-point campaign. The latter is entering his National Hockey League draft year because of his late birthday.

“Both had exceptional seasons last year production-wise and took strides in their game outside of just producing points,” Murray said. “That’s a real positive thing for us … Those two are obviously big pieces of our team and we’ll count on to lead the way for us.”

The team’s training camp begins Thursday evening at Assiniboine Credit Union Place.

Baumuller, a product of Wilcox, Sask., scored five goals at 16 and 18 in his second season. Last year, his 40 goals came in just 58 games because he missed time late in the season with an upper-body injury.

“There were eight 40-goal scorers in the league last year and Joby was one of them,” Murray said. “I think he’s one of three coming back. To get a guy who can show he’s a goal-producing forward is real big news for us.”

Last year, Dallas Stars prospect Cameron Schmidt of the Vancouver Giants and Seattle Thunderbirds led the league with 51 goals, followed by Liam Ruck (45, Medicine Hat Tigers), Bryce Pickford (45, Medicine Hat), JP Hurlbert (42 Kamloops Blazers), Luke Mistelbacher (42, Brandon), Tij Iginla (41, Kelowna Rockets), Tommy Lafreniere (41, Kamloops) and Baumuller.

Schmidt has since been dealt to the Victoria Royals and will be back, while Ruck is returning to Medicine Hat if he doesn’t make the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Jacobson, meanwhile, will be looking to make an impression with scouts after centring Brandon’s top line a year ago. It’s worth noting the Brandonite’s birthday is on Dec. 11, so he’s nearly a year younger than the oldest players in his 2008 birth year.

“Jaxon, as a 17-year-old, had 85 points last year,” Murray said. “I know he’s put in a good summer of work and being his draft year, I think he’s poised to have a real big year again.”

Murray will also be looking for the pair of impactful youngsters on last year’s team to take another big step up.

Both of last season’s 16-year-old rookies had terrific seasons, with Chase Surkan of Regina (45gp, 20g, 18a, 38p, 6pim) starting strong and Prabh Bhathal of Winnipeg (63gp, 8g, 23a, 31p, 26pim) beginning slowly but finishing the season in style.

“Those two as 16-year-olds had really good seasons coming into the league,” Murray said. “Chase came out so hot, I think he was leading the Western Hockey League or maybe even CHL in goals before he went to U17s,” Murray said. “To continue on that pace was probably a little unrealistic but hitting 20 goals as a 16 year old in the league is not easy and Chase did that. He has the ability to put the puck in the net. He’s just one of those guys who has a natural gift to score.

“He was just under a point-per-game in 45 games last year, which is quite impressive. I know he was disappointed with the Hlinka team — (he was a late cut from Canada’s team) — and has a little bit of a chip on his shoulder.”

“With Prabh, he had some serious consideration for the Hlinka team too. He had a real strong second half for us. He was a point-per-game player in the last 25 games of the year. Those are two guys in their 17-year-old year going into their draft year, and we expect them to be contributors night in and night out.”

Murray knows of what he speaks. Back in the 1991-92 season, he had 20 goals and 38 assists in 68 games. Brandon can only hope the two youngsters follow the trajectory Murray did, with 94, 114 and 128 points in his next three seasons.

Overall, Murray likes what he sees up front.

“I think it’s a really deep forward group,” Murray said. “I think our top nine players will be as good as any around the league. I really do. The league has changed a little bit. We’re going to be a little younger but that’s across the board in the whole league.

“I look at our top nine and I think there are a lot of really good pieces there and guys have the ability to produce not only in the top nine but our fourth line has the ability to be a good line night in and night out. I think the forwards are one of the strengths of our group.”

Russian overage forward Kristof Muissu is expected to produce, and prospects Levi Ellingsen, Carson Ralph and Carson Park all saw action with the Wheat Kings last season. In addition, Ahmad Fayad was called up for playoffs but didn’t dress.

There will also be some established Junior A veterans at camp, including Brandonite Colten Worthington and Oakburn’s Cole Hunter.

— GONE (Six): Caleb Hadland, Carter Klippenstein, Jordan Gavin (college), Luke Mistelbacher, Nick Johnson (graduation), Easton Odut (injury retirement).

— RETURNING (Nine): Joby Baumuller, Jaxon Jacobson, Brady Turko, Brett Wilson, Jimmy Egan, Chase Surkan, Prabh Bhathal, Gunnar Gleasman, Ryan Boyce.

— ADDED (One): Kristof Muissu of Russia.

— TOP CANDIDATES: Colin Grubb, Levi Ellingsen, Carson Ralph, Carson Park, Ahmad Fayad, Axel Gleasman.

» pbergson@brandonsun.com

 

 

VETERANS

2006-BORN (20-year-old season)

• Brett Wilson, L.

18gp, 3g, 5a, 8p, 4pim, -1 +/-

2007-BORN (19-year-old season)

• Joby Baumuller, R.

58gp, 40g, 22a, 62p, 35pim, +26 +/-

• Brady Turko, R.

66gp, 18g, 18a, 36p, 34pim, -1 +/-

• Gunnar Gleasman, R.

46gp, 5g, 0a, 5p, 74pim, -12 +/-

2008-BORN (18-year-old season)

• Jaxon Jacobson, L.

63gp, 25g, 60a, 85p, 32pim, +9 +/-

• Jimmy Egan, L.

68gp, 4g, 18a, 22p, 33pim, -1 +/-

• Ryan Boyce, L.

34gp, 0g, 3a, 3p, 12pim, -5 +/-

2009-BORN (17-year-old season)

• Chase Surkan, L.

45gp, 20g, 18a, 38p, 6pim, +5 +/-

• Prabh Bhathal, L.

63gp, 8g, 23a, 31p, 26pim, +2 +/-

DRAFTED/LISTED ROOKIES

2006-BORN (20-year-old season)

• Kristof Muissu, L.

Picked: 2026, 1st Rd.

Reaktor Nizhnekamsk (U20)

57gp, 34g, 35a, 69p, 14pim.

2007-BORN (19-year-old season)

• Hudson Landmark, R.

Listed.

Canmore (AJHL)

39gp, 11g, 28a, 39p, 14pim.

2009-BORN (17-year-old season)

• Colin Grubb , L.

Picked: 2024, 1st Rd. US.

Shattuck St. Mary’s (18U prep)

51gp, 13g, 27a, 40p, 8pim.

• Carson Park, L.

Picked: 2024, 5th Rd.

Moose Jaw (U18 AAA)

35gp, 11g, 40a, 51p, 12pim.

WHL: 4gp, 0g, 0a, 0p, 2pim.

• Carson Ralph, L.

Listed.

St. Albert (U18 AAA)

33gp, 16g, 20a, 36p, 34pim.

WHL: 4gp, 0g, 1a, 1p, 0pim.

• Axel Gleasman, L.

Listed.

OHA Colorado (16U prep)

6gp, 0g, 2a, 2p, 2pim.

• Bronsyn Mouille, R.

Listed.

OHA Edmonton

30gp, 9g, 14a, 23p, 42pim.

• Mason Chubey, R.

Picked: 2024, 8th Rd.

Winnipeg Bruins (U18 AAA)

38gp, 20g, 28a, 48p, 22pim.

2010-BORN (16-year-old season)

• Levi Ellingsen, L.

Picked: 2025, 1st Rd US.

NAX (U18 prep)

27gp, 8g, 21a, 29p, 52pim.

WHL: 5gp, 0g, 1a, 1p, 6pim.

• Ahmad Fayad, L.

Picked: 2025, 2nd.

NAX (U18 prep)

25gp, 10g, 24a, 34p, 54pim.

• Benjamin Stattelman, L.

Listed.

Grand Forks (Bantam AA)

n/a.

• Cameron Coulter, R.

Listed.

Moorhead (Bantam AA)

54gp, 93g, 68a, 161p, 102pim.

• Brayden Watt, L.

Picked: 2025, 8th Rd.

Brandon (U17 AAA)

35gp, 19g, 30a, 49p, 26pim.

• Taren Anderson, R.

Picked: 2025, 12th.

Estevan (U18 AAA)

44gp, 4g, 15a, 19p, 26pim.

• Mark Munday , R.

Picked: 2025, 7th Rd.

Winnipeg Wild (U18 AAA)

48gp, 9g, 13a, 22p, 26pim.

2011-BORN (15-year-old season)

• Rylan Edwards, R.

Picked: 2026, 1st Rd.

NAX (U15 prep)

28gp, 17g, 26a, 43p, 10pim.

• Mason Corkish, R.

Picked: 2026, 3rd Rd.

MN Moose 14 (14U AAA)

11gp, 6g, 10a, 16p, n/a pim.

• Austin Rideout, L

Picked: 2026, 5th Rd.

OHA (U15 prep)

29gp, 12g, 16a, 28p, 32pim.

• Lachlan Kisio, R.

Picked: 2026, 7th Rd.

Edge (U15 prep)

16gp, 3g, 7a, 10p, 18pim.

• Wyatt Lowther, L.

Picked: 2026, 9th Rd.

BWC (U15 prep)

30gp, 10g, 23a, 33p, 56pim.

FREE AGENTS

2007-BORN (19-year-old season)

• Colten Worthington, L.

Virden (MJHL)

48gp, 19g, 42a, 61p, 47pim.

• Ryder Riedel, R.

Olds (AJHL)

39gp, 15g, 26a, 41p, 34pim.

2008-BORN (18-year-old season)

• Cole Hunter, L

Waywayseecappo (MJHL)

58gp, 14g, 26a, 40p, 16pim.

• Boston Schmidt , L.

Estevan (U18 AAA)

44gp, 36g, 33a, 69p, 36pim.

• Kade Pierson , L.

Okotoks (U18 AAA)

35gp, 8g, 15a, 23p, 78pim.

• Aidan Mohan, R.

Weyburn (SJHL)

43gp, 12g, 11a, 23p, 28pim.

• Grady Hodgins, R.

Regina (U18 AAA)

43gp, 18g, 29a, 47p, 63pim.

2009-BORN (17-year-old season)

• Dylan Prettie, L.

Winnipeg Wild (U18 AAA)

47gp, 8g, 14a, 22p, 22pim.

• Rylan Spicer, n/a.

Grand Forks (USHS)

27gp, 26g, 24a, 50p, 12pim.

• Memphis Adeniken, L.

Edmonton (U18 AAA)

38gp, 13g, 40a, 53p, 14pim.

• Carson Fowler, R.

Brandon (U17 AAA)

36gp, 7g, 11a, 18p, 26pim.

• Nash Coquet, L.

Battlefords (U18 AAA)

44gp, 31g, 34a, 65p, 22pim.

• Lucas Romaniuk, L.

Notre Dame (U18 AAA).

40gp, 8g, 19a, 27p, 36pim.

2010-BORN (16-year-old season)

• Maclain Ethier , L.

Moose Jaw (U18 AAA)

44gp, 15g, 27a, 42p, 8pim.

• Ashton Kopala, L.

Winnipeg Wild (U17 AAA)

36gp, 20g, 17a, 37p, 60pim.

• Chasen Robson, L.

Calgary (U17 AAA)

34gp, 8g, 17a, 25p, 42pim.

• Owen Foreman, R.

Calgary AC (U17 AAA)

34gp, 10g, 34a, 44p, 36pim.

2011-BORN (15-year-old season)

• Colton Schofield, L.

Rocky Mountain (14U AAA)

48gp, 42g, 28a, 70p, 18pim.

• Brody Sawatzky, L.

Eastman (U15 AAA)

31gp, 11g, 13a, 24p, 48pim.

• Loic Lebel, L.

Calgary (U15 AAA)

29gp, 15g, 14a, 29p, 28pim.

• Zachary Leffler, R.

Lethbridge (U18 AAA)

34gp, 11g, 23a, 34p, 10pim.