Local Sports – Brandon Sun

Broncos stave off Wheat Kings rally

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read 9:58 PM CDT

The Swift Current Broncos built a 4-0 lead and then hung on for a 5-4 victory over the Brandon Wheat Kings in Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Sunday.

Swift Current (5-3-0-0) received its goals from Zach Pantelakis, Stepan Kuryachenkov, Josh McGregor, Sawyer Dingman and Hudson Darby, with Luke Mistelbacher scoring twice and Caleb Hadland and Joby Baumuller adding singles for Brandon (1-5-1-0) in front of a crowd of 2,009.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said it was another night his club just couldn’t get enough pucks to go into the net.

“The first period was pretty flat,” Murray said. “I thought last game our power play generated some momentum for us in the first period and tonight it got us back on our heels and we just couldn’t seem to get it going. We had a lot of shots and had some real good looks and just couldn’t get it done.

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Cougars middle Brost settles in as veteran

Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Preview

Cougars middle Brost settles in as veteran

Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

It’d be tough to find an Assiniboine College athlete who improved more than Heather Brost since the start of their Cougars’ career.

The third-year middle blocker from Maple Creek, Sask., admits the jump from small-town club volleyball to the Manitoba Colleges Athletic Conference was too big for her to handle at first, but she’s now a starter on a team with a strong chance at qualifying for nationals.

“You don’t really often see that steep climb, but she was probably a little bit raw coming in. Now in her third year, she’s really finding the game way more comfortable and has a way more positive impact,” said Cougars coach Kevin Neufeld.

“She’s a really good athlete. She’s the high touch on our team, she’s bouncy and she really is a great competitor that plays with great energy. She doesn’t get down on herself anymore.

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Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Heather Brost is entering her third season with the Assiniboine College Cougars women’s volleyball team. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Wheat Kings rally to beat Giants 4-3

Perry Bergson 6 minute read Preview

Wheat Kings rally to beat Giants 4-3

Perry Bergson 6 minute read Yesterday at 1:19 AM CDT

The Brandon Wheat Kings finally earned their first victory of the season on Friday, overcoming an early 2-0 deficit to beat the visiting Vancouver Giants 4-3 in Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place.

Brandon (1-4-1-0) received its goals from Luke Mistelbacher, Nick Johnson, Chase Surkan and Brady Turko, with Aaron Obobaifo, Jakob Oreskovic and Ryan Lin replying for Vancouver (2-6-0-0) in front of a crowd of 2,301.

“I think we’ve had a lot of ups and downs at the start of the season so far, and to see us come out like this just shows we can be a contender in the league,” Turko said. “That’s something we’re going to push towards moving forward. I really like how we played. I thought we were flying in the O-zone and being good defensively. We played an all-around great game.”

While they didn’t make it easy for him at the end, Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray looked relieved his club finally earned two points.

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Yesterday at 1:19 AM CDT

Vancouver Giants goaltender Burke Hood (35) watches the puck hit just inside his elbow on a power-play one-timer by Brandon Wheat Kings forward Jordan Gavin (13) as Giants defenceman Jan Skok (34) looks on during Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Friday. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Oct. 10, 2025

Future bright for sophomore setter Redekop

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Future bright for sophomore setter Redekop

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

Sam Redekop may be a sophomore, but Vincent Massey Vikings coach Rylan Metcalf had no problem building his varsity boys’ volleyball team around him.

The six-foot setter is one of Manitoba’s best in the class of 2028, and he’s only getting better.

“Seeing his skill and the potential that he has, we had no choice really. He was a clear standout, and we’re very glad and fortunate to have him on the team,” Metcalf said.

“He just understands volleyball. He has a true passion for it, and he’s always wanting to get better and improve. That’s something that at a young age is so rare to really be driven in that specific sport and it’s awesome to see.

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Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

Sam Redekop and the Vincent Massey Vikings varsity boys’ volleyball team head to the playoffs today at their home tournament, the Viking Classic. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Top-ranked Viking girls set for Classic

Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Preview

Top-ranked Viking girls set for Classic

Thomas Friesen 5 minute read Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

Unfortunately for the rest of the province, the Vincent Massey Vikings are showing their run in 2024 wasn’t just because of one player and her solid senior class.

While they lost last year’s No. 1-ranked player in Manitoba in Jersey Hansen-Young, coach Kelly DeRoo’s squad has rinsed and repeated a winning formula.

Massey won Lord Selkirk’s Royal Rumble a few weeks ago and is ranked first in AAAA varsity girls’ volleyball heading into their home tournament, the Viking Classic, running today and Saturday.

“It’s been a lot of fun. Last year was a lot of fun with that group of girls, and this year, it’s just as good. It’s just going to get even better from here,” said senior setter Kaitlyn Couckuyt.

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Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

Six-foot-one outside hitter Hannah McGregor is stepping up for the Vincent Massey Vikings as they look to defend their AAAA provincial varsity girls’ volleyball title. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Desperate Wheat Kings search for win

Perry Bergson 8 minute read Preview

Desperate Wheat Kings search for win

Perry Bergson 8 minute read Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

The Brandon Wheat Kings may have 63 games remaining in their Western Hockey League season, but they seem awfully close to must-win territory.

The Wheat Kings have suffered a historically slow start to the year, earning just one point in their first five outings and are already 10 points back of the surging Prince Albert Raiders (5-0-1-0) in the East Division.

With the Vancouver Giants (2-4-0-0) in town this evening at 7 at Assiniboine Credit Union Place and the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock, the home side is looking to improve on their 0-4-1-0 record.

When team captain Calen Hadland was asked how badly his team needs a win, he didn’t hesitate.

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Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

Brandon Wheat Kings captain Caleb Hadland, shown during last Sunday’s game against the Saskatoon Blades, said his winless team is holding up OK but desperately needs a victory. They host the Vancouver Giants tonight and the Swift Current Broncos on Sunday. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Perrin finds home with Wolverines

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 7 minute read Preview

Perrin finds home with Wolverines

Massimo De Luca-Taronno 7 minute read Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

Rhett Perrin’s path to the Waywayseecappo Wolverines has been nothing short of an adventure.

The 19-year-old Morden product has seen the ice with six different clubs all over Manitoba and out of the province as well, but it’s all led up to this season with the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Wolverines.

For Perrin, it all started as a toddler when his dad built a rink in the backyard so he could learn how to skate. He wore the classic Bob skates and was addicted to ripping one-timers his dad would feed him from just about anywhere on the ice.

“It was awesome. My dad loves hockey, so he would build one every year from the time I was about a year and a half till I left home,” said Perrin. “I spent hours out there with him on the rink, and it was probably one of the best things for my hockey career.”

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Friday, Oct. 10, 2025

Morden’s Rhett Perrin prepares for the Wolverines matchup against the Virden Oil Capitals at Tundra Oil & Gas Place on Saturday, Sept. 20. (Massimo De Luca-Taronno/ The Brandon Sun)

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Meadows, Maryland Park face off in cricket

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Preview

Meadows, Maryland Park face off in cricket

Thomas Friesen 3 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025

Prince Patel didn’t realize moving to Brandon from India would mean leaving his favourite sport behind.

“I felt good and excited to come here. I was so excited to make new friends and play cricket,” said Patel, who quickly found out the game wasn’t quite so popular in western Manitoba.

But he wasn’t alone. He soon realized dozens more kids were in a similar position, so they just started playing cricket together wherever they found the space.

He went to Meadows School, where teacher Mona Moria saw the same need for the sport when she moved to Brandon in 2014.

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Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025

Dev Shah bowls for Meadows against Maryland Park during Brandon’s first-ever junior high cricket match at Meadows School on Wednesday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Bobcats land Zodiacs star middle Enns

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Preview

Bobcats land Zodiacs star middle Enns

Thomas Friesen 4 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025

Alfredo Enns has enjoyed his trips to Brandon enough to call it home for the foreseeable future.

The all-star middle blocker from Winkler’s Garden Valley Collegiate has committed to the Brandon University Bobcats for the 2026-27 Canada West men’s volleyball season.

“I’m stoked. Playing at the U Sports level is definitely a dream of mine,” Enns said. “It’s coming true, and getting to do it with the Brandon Bobcats is a privilege I’m excited for.”

Enns and the Zodiacs travelled to the Wheat City in 2024 for the BU varsity boys’ tournament last year, earning an all-star selection as his team reached the semifinals. He picked up another at Neelin’s Spartan Dig, again following a semifinal exit.

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Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025

Alfredo Enns of the Garden Valley Zodiacs has committed to the Brandon University men’s volleyball team for the 2026-27 Canada West season. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Kirk grateful returning to home province

By Massimo De Luca-Taronno 6 minute read Preview

Kirk grateful returning to home province

By Massimo De Luca-Taronno 6 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

When Ty Kirk figured he’d have a chance to play hockey back in his home province this season, he knew the opportunity was too good to pass up on.

The 20-year-old Hamiota product spent the last two years with the Sioux Lookout Bombers of the Superior International Junior Hockey League but had always eyed a role in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League ever since he was four years old.

“That’s always the dream, right? You want to play junior hockey in your home province, and being from Manitoba, it was always a goal growing up to play in the MJ,” said Kirk on Monday. “Obviously, I wanted to come and play closer to home, so it was an easy decision.”

Kirk grew up surrounded by the game. His dad, sister, and cousins all played, and his small-town community of fewer than 2,000 people was still full of talent on the ice, so picking up a stick felt less like a decision and more like a given. His dad, especially, helped shape how he viewed the game and encouraged him to have a creative mindset early on.

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Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

Hamiota’s Ty Kirk, shown during the Neepawa Titans’ third game of the season against the Waywayseecappo Wolverines in Manitoba Junior Hockey League action at Yellowhead Community Recreation Centre on Sept. 24, came up through the Yellowhead Chiefs system. (Photos by Massimo De Luca-Taronno/The Brandon Sun)

Neelin JV, Massey varsity girls sweep matches

2 minute read Preview

Neelin JV, Massey varsity girls sweep matches

2 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

Jayda Davidson posted nine kills as the Neelin Spartans swept the Vincent Massey Vikings 3-0 (25-20, 25-18, 26-24) in Brandon High School Volleyball League junior varsity girls’ action at Neelin on Tuesday.

Praise Samson added eight kills for the Spartans, with JJ Pinard recording six kills and three aces.

Both teams sit at 2-1 with matches against the Crocus Plainsmen (0-2) remaining. Neelin holds the head-to-head tiebreaker by leading 4-3 in sets won, and can clinch first place with a road victory over Crocus next Tuesday.

In the varsity girls’ match, Massey locked up first place, winning 3-0 (25-15, 25-17, 25-18).

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Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

Neelin Spartans Praise Samson passes the ball during JV girls’ volleyball action against Vincent Massey on Tuesday. (Thomas Friesen/The Brandon Sun)

Bobcats fall to United States in four sets

1 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

Liam Pauls led Team Canada with 11 points in a 3-1 (25-18, 25-10, 23-25, 25-18) loss to the United States at the NORCECA Final Six men’s volleyball tournament in Puerto Rico on Tuesday.

Pauls recorded seven kills, seven errors and four aces for Canada, which is being represented by the Brandon University Bobcats.

Canada had 20 kills and 25 errors as a team, while the U.S. posted 38 and 16.

Canada plays Mexico today at 5 p.m. CDT. The top four teams after Friday’s round-robin matches play in the semifinals on Saturday.

Sports Looking Back: Oct. 8, 2025

2 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

IN THE CITY

• FOOTBALL — Crocus Plains hosts Sturgeon Heights JV, 4 p.m.

• VOLLEYBALL — Neelin Spartans at Vincent Massey Vikings, 6 p.m. (JV) and 7:30 p.m. (varsity)

WHL NOTEBOOK: Muench carves out official role in WHL

By Perry Bergson 13 minute read Preview

WHL NOTEBOOK: Muench carves out official role in WHL

By Perry Bergson 13 minute read Monday, Oct. 6, 2025

Kevin Muench has certainly found his calling.

The senior director, officiating and facilities for the Western Hockey League spent years as an official and now is part of the team that monitors and educates the 165 people doing the job for the WHL in Brandon and across Western Canada and the northwestern United States.

“You really have to love the game of hockey, which I do,” Muench said. “You have to like the people you work with, which I do. But I also really like the challenge of helping young officials develop their lives and develop their officiating careers.

“We’ve had so many guys who have gone on to careers with the National Hockey League, we’ve had so many officials that have experienced significant international competition, whether that’s the World Juniors, world championships, Olympic assignments.

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Monday, Oct. 6, 2025

Referee Alex Clarke watches as the Brandon Wheat Kings and Saskatoon Blades put fresh players on the ice after a whistle during Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Sunday afternoon. Clarke became both the first female linesman and referee for the league when she broke the gender barrier in 2021. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Sports Looking Back: Oct. 7, 2025

2 minute read Monday, Oct. 6, 2025

IN LOCAL HISTORY

• 60 YEARS AGO — A two-ball foursome wound up activities of the women’s section of the New Sarum Golf and Country Club in Rivers. The winners were Dorothy Forman and Isabel Stewart.

• 50 YEARS AGO — Bruce Clark scored in overtime, his second goal of the game, to give the Olympians a 2-1 win over Spartans in the deciding game of the Brandon Senior Soccer League final yesterday at Kinsmen Stadium.

• 40 YEARS AGO — The women’s high single of the week in five-pin bowling was a 285 by Bev Drummond from the Brandon Club League while the high triple of 679 was rolled by Melanie Tallant in the Wednesday Nite League.

Bobcats sweep Suriname to open tourney

1 minute read Preview

Bobcats sweep Suriname to open tourney

1 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

Tom Friesen, Liam Pauls and Ethan Baraniuk each scored 12 points as Team Canada swept Suriname 3-0 (25-13, 25-18, 25-16) to open the NORCECA Final Six men’s volleyball tournament in Puerto Rico on Monday.

Friesen had a team-high 11 kills with one error, while Pauls had 10, error-free.

Baraniuk served four aces, while Kingston Thomas recorded a match-high eight digs.

The Brandon University men are representing the country as the top-finishing team that applied during the 2024-25 U Sports season.

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Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025

October 12, 2025

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