Van Meijl thriving with U18 Wheaties

Graycen Van Meijl won’t be in the lineup this weekend for the U18 Brandon Wheat Kings due to a minor injury sustained against the Eastman Selects on Oct. 31.

As a result, he didn’t play against Interlake on Nov. 1, as well as the home contest against the Pembina Valley Hawks on Friday.

It’s expected he won’t suit up for the match against the Winnipeg Thrashers on Sunday, but he hopes to make a return for the rematch of the 2026 Manitoba U18 AAA Hockey League Finals against the Winnipeg Bruins on Wednesday.

Listed at five-foot-eight on Elite Prospects, the 2011-born forward from Brandon may be on the smaller side, but he plays a large role up front for the Wheat Kings.

“I’m a two-way player; try to do well in the D-zone and offensive zone,” said Van Meijl after practice on Wednesday, where he could be seen sporting a red non-contact jersey. “I like to get around the net, be a bit chippy, get under guys’ skin but also make plays when I need to.”

Like many smaller players, Van Meijl learned early to deal with an outsized dose of physicality from opposing teams. He consistently pushes back against opponents who try to intimidate him on the ice.

“I try to let them know that I’m there – not back down,” said Van Meijl. “I’m not going to run guys over; I’m going to cut guys’ hands, try to get around the net, but I don’t think it’s a big deal with the physicality.”

Last year, he dominated the U15 AAA league, recording 25 goals and 47 points in 32 games with the U15 Brandon Wheat Kings. He finished third on the team in scoring behind current teammate Kale Nicol and Daniel Flett-Neapew, who now plays for Brandon’s U17 squad.

Despite the strong numbers, Van Meijl went undrafted in the 2026 WHL Prospects draft.

“It was a little bit disappointing, but you know it’s adversity; I face it, have it in the back of my mind when I’m playing,” said Van Meijl. “Hopefully I’ll get listed one day and make the jump.”

In modern junior hockey, a longer road to the CHL isn’t uncommon. Over the last few years, the Brandon Wheat Kings have brought in multiple older players, including Cole Hunter and Max Lavoie, who now plays for Princeton University in the NCAA.

“I’ve been looking into that too,” said Van Meijl. “It calms me down a bit that I can still make that kump and get to that level.”

His transition to the U18 level has been pretty smooth. He’s averaging a point per game with seven goals and four assists in 11 games.

“The speed (at the U18 level) is obviously a big difference — the physicality — but I think I managed the jump well to keep with the speed and physicality and keep up with all the boys,” said Van Meijl.

Van Meijl’s father, Wilco, built a backyard rink every year in the winter. The younger Van Meijl and his sisters have been skating since about the time they could walk.

“I’ve been skating since I was two years old,” said Van Meijl. “Found the love of the game on the backyard rink.”

The annual backyard rink was a tradition, but as the kids got older and more involved in high-level hockey, they didn’t build one last year.

For now, Van Meijl will wait on the sideline cheering on his team while he continues to heal. When he comes back, he plans to continue to have a big impact.

“(I want to) put up some points, obviously, play the role I’m given, make sure my presence is felt on the ice, and help the team win,” said Van Meijl.

» rmccarthy@brandonsun.com