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Hockey

Teammates Cameron Allard, left, and Chase Surkan battle for the puck during a competition drill at Brandon Wheat Kings camp last Thursday. The two were impressed by how well everyone played during the camp. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Wheaties cut down after competitive camp

By Perry Bergson 8 minute read Yesterday at 11:15 PM CDT

The Brandon Wheat Kings brass challenged the players who attended their training camp to battle for jobs, and they did.

And that’s meant Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray isn’t getting much sleep these days. “The kids have laid it all out there,” Murray said. “They’ve certainly made our job difficult and some guys are making a last-minute push, and you appreciate the hard work. It’s a tough part of the job, no question.

“There are a lot of quality, capable guys who could be moving on. We have to shrink down here at some point, and they’ve certainly made our job tough.”

The Western Hockey League club reassigned more than 50 players on Sunday, and is currently at 33, with some hard decisions to still to be made.

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Football

Ethan Smith surveys while running up field as a member of the Vincent Massey Vikings last season. (Submitted)

Smith helping Vikings where he can

By Rowan McCarthy 5 minute read Preview

Smith helping Vikings where he can

By Rowan McCarthy 5 minute read Yesterday at 10:13 PM CDT

Vincent Massey Vikings running back Ethan Smith can’t suit up alongside the rest of his teammates at the moment, but that won’t stop him from helping the team in any way he can.

“It definitely sucks,” said Smith. “I wish I could be out there. That’s all I want right now is to be out there … but knowing I can help is good.”

He is still recovering from a lower-body injury he suffered three months ago at spring training camp. The non-contact injury came out of nowhere, surprising Smith who has never had any major injury during his football career.

He’s targeting a return to the field in the next few weeks.

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Yesterday at 10:13 PM CDT

Sports Looking Back: Sept. 1, 2026

2 minute read Yesterday at 9:54 PM CDT

IN LOCAL HISTORY

• 50 YEARS AGO — Muntz scored a 12-11 victory over the Pic-A-Pop girls to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five B division final. Lorna Lang got credit for the pitching win over Pic-A- Pop’s Donna Trottier. Linda Lowe hit a triple for the winners and Barb Willox stroked a double.

• 40 YEARS AGO — Hair Impressions won the Brandon Commercial Fastball League North Division semifinal 2-1 with a 7-5 triumph over Clanwilliam Greys. Charlie Partridge and Bob Vandenburgh both homered and singled to lead the way, with Partridge also picking up the pitching win.

• 30 YEARS AGO — The Brandon University Bobcats men’s basketball team added some much- needed size for the 1996-97 in new recruits Trevor John, who is six-foot-five, and Steve Janz, who is six-foot-six.

Hockey

BWK CAMP: Saturday and Sunday’s scores

1 minute read Yesterday at 1:02 AM CDT

Results from Saturday’s intrasquad games and Sunday’s games, with goal scorers.

SATURDAY

BOSCHMAN 5, PULOCK 3

BOS: Ahmad Fayad (2), Colin Grubb, Chasen Robson, Carson Fowler.

Local Sports

Sports Looking Back: Aug. 31, 2026

1 minute read Yesterday at 1:01 AM CDT

IN LOCAL HISTORY

• 60 YEARS AGO — Lynn Switzer of Hamiota fired a hole-in-one at the new Hamiota golf course. Switzer got his ace on the 170-yard fourth hole.

• 50 YEARS AGO — Jack Morrow of Melita won the Hartney men’s open golf tournament, firing a 76 to beat Irwin Davis of Hartney and Doug Reynolds of Melita by two strokes.

• 40 YEARS AGO — Mark Johnston hit three home runs, including a grand slam, to pace Run ’n Racquet to a 29-13 romp over Brandon Crane Rental and the A-Division championship in the Merchants Fastball League.

Hockey

Team Black goalie Ryley Budd (33) watches as the puck squirts between the legs of Team Gold forward Brady Turko during the annual Black and Gold game at J&G Homes Arena on Sunday evening that signals the end of training camp. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Veterans end training camp in style

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Preview

Veterans end training camp in style

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Yesterday at 1:00 AM CDT

Joby Baumuller had two goals and an assist and Chase Surkan had a goal and three assists as Team Black beat Team Gold 4-2 in the annual Black and Gold game at J&G Homes Arena on Sunday evening.

In an intense and occasionally chippy contest, Max Kelly had the winner for Black, with Memphis Adeniken and Cameron Allard replying for Gold.

“It’s nice,” Baumuller said after the game. “It’s a lot of bragging rights.”

Gold led 1-0 after 20 minutes on Adeniken’s goal, but the teams were tied 2-2 after 40 minutes. The winner came 15 minutes 46 seconds into the final frame, with Baumuller providing an insurance maker two minutes later.

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Yesterday at 1:00 AM CDT

Hockey

Cole Hunter skates through the neutral zone with the puck on his stick at Wheat Kings camp on Thursday. (Rowan McCarthy/Brandon Sun)

NCAA eligibility brings new faces to camp

By Rowan McCarthy 8 minute read Preview

NCAA eligibility brings new faces to camp

By Rowan McCarthy 8 minute read Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

It’s been a year since the NCAA opened its doors to Canadian Hockey League players and already there is abundant evidence that Canada’s hockey pipeline is adapting to the change.

Taking a look at the Brandon Wheat Kings’ training camp, the first thing that jumps out is the number of players vying for spots on the team. More than 80 players, divided into four teams, have come to show what they can do in the hopes of being selected to fill one of the available spots on Brandon’s roster.

The changes to NCAA eligibility created an environment in which players are less limited by their choices. As a result, there is wider interest from players and CHL teams alike to bring players to camp who likely would not have attended in the past.

“It’s opened up so many things,” said American defenceman Paxton Packulak. “There’s just endless possibilities you can have now. You can do so many route to get where you want to be.”

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Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

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Hockey

Bronsyn Mouille, right, battles 15-year-old forward Wyatt Lowther for the puck in a competition drill during a practice on Thursday during Brandon Wheat Kings training camp at Assiniboine Credit Union Place. The 17-year-old list player from Peace River, Alta., is looking to earn a spot. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Aug. 27, 2026

Mouille’s formula includes skill, physicality

By Perry Bergson 4 minute read Preview

Mouille’s formula includes skill, physicality

By Perry Bergson 4 minute read Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

Bronsyn Mouille understands what he is, and that may take him a long way to winning a job with the Brandon Wheat Kings.

The 17-year-old forward from Peace River, Alta., can create the points, but also needs to throw some havoc into the mix.

“I’m a big power forward who brings hard skill,” said Mouille, who is inspired by National Hockey League players such as Tom Wilson and Brandon Hagel. “I can have a physical presence.”

The six-foot-two, 189-pound forward went undrafted by Western Hockey League clubs in the spring of 2024 but after a terrific camp in Brandon that fall, the Wheat Kings listed him.

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Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

Hockey

Goalie Connor Dwyer of Bismarck, N.D., makes a save on forward Memphis Adeniken during a practice on Thursday during Brandon Wheat Kings training camp at Assiniboine Credit Union Place. The American netminder is one of four goalies competing for a spot behind starter Filip Ruzicka. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Aug. 27, 2026

Dwyer treasures golden experience

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Dwyer treasures golden experience

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

Connor Dwyer isn’t going to even pretend that representing the United States at the under-17 Four Nations tournament this summer was just another week at the rink.

The goaltender from Bismarck, N.D., and his teammates — including another Brandon Wheat Kings prospect, Levi Ellingsen — went unbeaten in Chomutov, Czechia from Aug. 15 to 19. The Americans defeated Czechia 5-4 in a shootout in the final.

“It was surreal,” Dwyer said. “It was definitely the greatest honour and privilege of my life being able to wear the red, white and blue. That’s something I’m going to honour and cherish forever. I would give everything that I can just to be able to have that honour again.

“It was a great experience, taking home gold for your country is a type of feeling that I’ll cherish forever. It’s a feeling not a lot of people get to feel.”

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Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

Local Sports

Sports Looking Back: Aug. 29, 2026

2 minute read Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

IN LOCAL HISTORY

• 60 YEARS AGO — Jack Matheson of Brandon fired a five-over-par 77 at Shilo to top a field of 261 golfers in the annual Shilo men’s golf tournament.

• 50 YEARS AGO — The final point standings on the Peter Jackson golf tour had Brandon’s Dan Halldorson in second place behind George Knudson after completing the B.C. Open with a six-under-par 206.

• 40 YEARS AGO — Stacy Pratt hit two home runs to lead Sioux Valley Dakotas to a 9-5 victory over Active Muffler in a Brandon Commercial Men’s Fastball League playoff game. Pratt added a triple and four RBIs.

Hockey

BWK CAMP: Friday’s intrasquad games

1 minute read Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

Results from Friday’s intrasquad games at Brandon Wheat Kings camp at Assiniboine Credit Union Place, with goal scorers.

BOSCHMAN 7, FERRARO 3

• BOS: Cameron Coulter (2), Cade Erhart, Ahmad Fayad, Ashton Kopala, Joby Baumuller, Cole Hunter.

• FER: Jaxon Jacobson, Carson Ralph, Hudson Landmark.

Hockey

BWK CAMP: Dynamic duo expected to lead offence

By Perry Bergson 9 minute read Preview

BWK CAMP: Dynamic duo expected to lead offence

By Perry Bergson 9 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

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.

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Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Hockey

Netminder Filip Ruzicka (30) of the Brandon Wheat Kings deflects a shot on net by the Prince George Cougars at Assiniboine Credit Union Place in February. Much will be expected of the big Czech netminder in his second Western Hockey League season. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

BWK CAMP: Towering presence leads goaltending duo

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Preview

BWK CAMP: Towering presence leads goaltending duo

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Brandon Wheat Kings fans who began to feel like doom was awaiting around every corner in the summer had at least six feet and seven inches of good news to celebrate.

Despite posturing by the Czech club team Mountfield that they were going to keep big Filip Ruzicka, the outstanding 18-year-old netminder is returning to the Wheat Kings for a second Western Hockey League season.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray is understandably delighted to have him back.

“It’s really nice,” Murray said. “He proved himself. He’s a very capable number-one goaltender in the league last year. There was a lot of talk that created some sleepless nights whether we were going to get him back. We were real thrilled when we got the notice was going to be back. He was a presence night in and night out.”

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Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Local Sports

Sports Looking Back: Aug. 27, 2026

2 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

IN LOCAL HISTORY

• 60 YEARS AGO — Souris blanked Virden 3-0 to win the best-of-three Manitoba Midget Baseball playoffs 2-1. The winning pitcher was Bob Neufeld.

• 50 YEARS AGO — UCT moved into a first-place tie with Clanwilliam in the Brandon Centennial Men’s Fastball League’s East Division by dropping the Mizers 10-3. Don Robins pitched a four-hitter and hit a home run and a single. Lefty Hendrickson contributed a single and double to UCT’s attack.

• 40 YEARS AGO — Mike Perreaux tossed a three-hitter and clubbed a home run to spark the Brandon Club Comets to a 5-2 win over Jenkins’ Carpets in a Brandon Commercial Men’s Fastball League semifinal game.

Hockey

BWK CAMP: Revamped blue-line will get younger

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

BWK CAMP: Revamped blue-line will get younger

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

Not that long ago, Marty Murray thought the defensive corps of the Brandon Wheat Kings would look very different.

But when top defenceman Gio Pantelas asked for a trade to be closer to home and Samu Alalauri of Finland moved up his commitment to the University of Massachusetts, two of the team’s projected top defenders were gone.

Trading overager Dylan Ronald, meant just Cameron Allard and Nigel Boehm were returning, with acquisition Josh McGregor of Brandon also making his Wheat Kings debut.

Between them, that’s 311 games of regular season experience in the Western Hockey League. They also selected 19-year-old defenceman Ilari Kapanen of Kuopio, Finland in the Canadian Hockey League’s import draft to bring in another older defender.

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Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

Hockey

BWK CAMP: Incoming rookies gained some experience

By Perry Bergson 4 minute read Preview

BWK CAMP: Incoming rookies gained some experience

By Perry Bergson 4 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

If everything works out for the Brandon Wheat Kings, some Western Hockey League auditions last season will turn into quick starts this year for their incoming rookie class.

Defencemen Cruz Jim, Easten Turko and Ethan Young plus forwards Levi Ellingsen, Carson Ralph and Carson Park all played for the Wheat Kings during the 2025-26 season, and others such as forward Ahmad Fayad and goalies Urijah Moosetail and Joffrey Chan also spent time with the club.

“It’s very valuable that they could some experience in the league (last season),” Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said. “All those guys had multiple games, and I hope it helps them understand what it takes to be an every-day player and what the league is all about with the competitiveness and the quality of play, along with the travel, getting to a hotel at 3 in the morning and playing again the next day.

“It turns you from a boy into a man pretty quick.”

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Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

September 1, 2026

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