Wheat Kings – Brandon Sun

Regina Pats goaltender Max Paddock stops a shot from an Acadie-Bathurst Titan shooter during the Memorial Cup final in Regina on May 20, 2018. (The Canadian Press)

WHL NOTEBOOK: Paddock enters the family business

By Perry Bergson 11 minute read Monday, Jan. 12, 2026

If anyone was ever destined to work in sports, it has to be Max Paddock.

The 25-year-old Brandonite, who now serves as goaltending coach and director of hockey operations for the Western Hockey League’s Regina Pats, certainly comes by his management skills honestly.

His father, Russ, is the athletic director at Brandon University and coached the men’s volleyball team in the early years of the program.

In addition, his uncle John played and coached in the National Hockey League, and was inducted into the American Hockey League’s Hall of Fame in 2010. John joined the Pats in 2014, resigning as GM in 2023 but continuing as a senior advisor.

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Relieved Wheat Kings prepare for Pats

Perry Bergson 6 minute read Preview

Relieved Wheat Kings prepare for Pats

Perry Bergson 6 minute read Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

The Western Hockey League’s trade deadline passed on Thursday evening, the sun rose on Friday morning and life went on for the Brandon Wheat Kings.

The club, which faces the Regina Pats this evening at 6 o’clock at Assiniboine Credit Union Place, was one of just four teams that made no moves since Dec. 1. As a result, the roster that started the season together will be the one that finishes it.

Overage forward Nick Johnson, who has 31 points in 38 games and a team-leading plus-minus of +25, came to Brandon from the Portland Winterhawks in the deadline deal for Nate Danielson in 2024.

He’s happy he’ll be able to finish up his junior career in Brandon.

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Friday, Jan. 9, 2026

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Nick Johnson, in the olive jersey, and Carter Klippenstein, in blue, participate in a two-on-two drill during practice at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Friday as the team prepared for a matchup against the Regina Pats this evening at 6 p.m. The pair are happy they’ll finish the season as Wheat Kings. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Jan. 10, 2026

Wheat Kings stand pat at deadline

Perry Bergson 10 minute read Preview

Wheat Kings stand pat at deadline

Perry Bergson 10 minute read Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026

The Brandon Wheat Kings stood pat as the Western Hockey League trade deadline passed on Thursday evening.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said nothing came together in the end.

“We looked at a variety of things, and some big ones too,” Murray said. “Obviously we want to make our team better, but there is something to keeping glue guys and the core together to grow together and hopefully have success together.

“Making trades just to make trades is not something we’re interested in.”

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Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026

The Brandon Wheat Kings, shown saluting the crowd at their home opener in September, will remain together for the rest of the Western Hockey League season. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Rebels blank listless Wheat Kings

Perry Bergson 5 minute read Preview

Rebels blank listless Wheat Kings

Perry Bergson 5 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

With the trade deadline looming, the lethargic Brandon Wheat Kings lost their third game in a row, falling 4-0 to the visiting Red Deer Rebels in Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Wednesday.

Red Deer (12-20-2-2) received its goals from Matus Lisy, Ty Coupland, Kalder Varga and Talon Brigley, with Peyton Shore of Winnipeg making 35 saves for his second career WHL shutout.

“It was a rough night, there’s no denying it,” defenceman Gio Pantelas said. “Giving up 40 shots against a team as low as them, we really can’t have that and can’t do it again. It’s something we have to look back on and we have to improve.

“We’ve had a lot of close games against lower teams like these, including this team previously, and it’s something we have to work on. We’re in it once it comes to good teams, but for some reason we let off the pedal and think it will be easy games and play softer ones … Hopefully we can fix it as fast as possible because it’s going to be a tight race.”

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Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

Wheaties prepare for revamped Rebels

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Preview

Wheaties prepare for revamped Rebels

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

The Brandon Wheat Kings get their first look at the new-look Red Deer Rebels tonight in Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place at 7 o’clock.

The teams last met on Dec. 16, with the Wheat Kings earning a 2-1 decision. Since then, the Rebels have traded defencemen Keith McInnis and Luke Vlooswyk and forward Jaxon Fuder, and brought in forwards Cole Temple of Brandon, Poul Andersen and Kalder Varga, and defenceman Cameron Dillard.

Wheat Kings team captain Caleb Hadland, who is from nearby Sylvan Lake, Alta., said his club will need to rise to the new challenge.

“Red Deer has made a lot of moves, good or bad for the organization,” Hadland said. “We don’t really know. We just play our game and don’t really worry about them. We have to make sure we work hard and do the right things and get the right result.”

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Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

Brandon Wheat Kings forwards Caleb Hadland (left to right), Jordan Gavin and Joby Baumuller smile as they watch the shootout following the main practice at Assiniboine Credit Union Centre on Tuesday. The players stand at the blue-line awaiting their turn until they score, and then move to the side to stand, sit or lie to watch their teammates. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

TALE OF THE TAPE: Red Deer at Brandon

2 minute read Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026

Brandon Wheat Kings vs Red Deer Rebels

7 p.m. at Assiniboine Credit Union Place.

6:30 p.m. (91.5 FM): 7 p.m. (Victory!)

WHEAT KINGS

Bhathal nets winner for Wheat Kings

Perry Bergson 5 minute read Preview

Bhathal nets winner for Wheat Kings

Perry Bergson 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 9:58 PM CST

Filip Ruzicka made 35 saves and Prabh Bhathal’s first goal of the season stood as the winner as the Brandon Wheat Kings snapped a five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the Saskatoon Blades in Western Hockey League action at SaskTel Centre on Wednesday.

Brandon (23-17-1-0) received its other goals from Grayson Burzynski and Joby Baumuller, with Zach Olsen replying for Saskatoon (21-16-2-1) in front of a crowd of 2,802.

With the victory, Brandon took over fifth spot in the Eastern Conference, two points up on Saskatoon.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said it didn't go unnoticed that two of his team's youngest players led the charge."They were big contributors in the game," Murray said. "Prabh is a guy we've talked about for a little bit. He seems like he was on the cusp of breaking through and I thought he had a real strong effort and a big goal for us. He was around the net and could have had a couple more."Filip, it was a good bounce-back game for him (from getting pulled in a 6-3 loss to Regina on Saturday). He was outstanding from start to finish as well."

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Updated: Yesterday at 9:58 PM CST

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Raiders outlast Wheat Kings in 5-2 win

Perry Bergson 6 minute read Preview

Raiders outlast Wheat Kings in 5-2 win

Perry Bergson 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:12 PM CST

The Brandon Wheat Kings dropped their fifth game in a row as the Prince Albert Raiders spoiled a 39-save effort by Jayden Kraus to earn a 5-2 victory in Western Hockey League action at Art Hauser Centre on Tuesday.

Prince Albert (29-6-4-0) received its goals from Daxon Rudolph, Linden Burrett, Riley Boychuk, Owen Corkish and Brayden Dube, with Luke Mistelbacher and Grayson Burzynski replying for Brandon (22-17-1-0) in front of a crowd of 2,392.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said his team didn't respond after a really good start.

"I thought the first period was a real good road period," Murray said. "We were head to head and I thought it was real even. In the second, they pushed and we have a habit right now of going the other way when a team pushes. We need to grit our teeth and push back … Thank God for Kraus in the second period or it could have been way worse that what it was."

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Updated: Yesterday at 10:12 PM CST

Pats rally to beat Wheat Kings 6-3

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026

The Brandon Wheat Kings took an early two-goal lead but it was all Regina Pats after that as the visitors earned a 6-3 victory in Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Saturday.

Regina (12-20-4-1) received two goals from Keets Fawcett and overage defenceman Ephram McNutt, and singles from Jace Egland and Zachary Lansard, with Dylan Ronald, Nigel Boehm and Joby Baumuller replying for Brandon (22-16-1-0) in front of a crowd of 3,501.

“I thought we played all right in the first and then there was a give-up from the group, I guess,” captain Caleb Hadland said. “They just started to (out)work us and pucks weren’t going in their net but they were going in ours. I guess you could say lucky bounces but it just wasn’t a good night overall.”

It was the fourth loss in a row for the reeling Wheat Kings.

Victoria offers real home game for Pantelas

Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Victoria offers real home game for Pantelas

Perry Bergson 7 minute read Updated: 9:25 PM CST

Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Gio Pantelas is a little bit excited about tonight’s Western Hockey League matchup with the visiting Victoria Royals.

The 17-year-old defenceman was born in Montreal and lived there until he was 10, when his family moved across the country to Vancouver Island.

“Obviously, living in Victoria for the past five years, it’s going to be a fun game,” Pantelas said. “I know a lot of the players now. Even last year when we went to Victoria, that was fun. I had a lot of parents, family and friends who came to watch the game, and that was great.

“Now that we’re in Brandon, it’s a little different with no family or friends in the stands. I think I know a lot more players this year on the team than I did last year. (Keaton) Verhoeff is gone but I have some past teammates on the team this year and I’ll be able to see them so I’m looking forward to that.”

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Updated: 9:25 PM CST

Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Gio Pantelas spent part of his childhood in Victoria and is eager for a chance to play against his adopted hometown club, the Royals, when they visit Assiniboine Credit Union Place this evening. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

Recent deals in the WHL

2 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026

TUESDAY

• Seattle sends 18-year-old Braeden Cootes of Sherwood Park, Alta., a fourth-round pick in 2026, a sixth-round pick in 2026 and a conditional second-round pick in 2028 to Prince Albert for 18-year-old forward Ethan Bibeau of Winnipeg, 16-year-old forward Knox Burton of Winnipeg, 16-year-old defenceman Diego Gutierrez of McAllen, Texas, 15-year-old forward prospect Tripp Fischer of Lloydminster, Alta., first-round picks in 2026 and 2028, a second-round pick in 2026 and a third-round pick in 2027.

• Edmonton sends 19-year-old defenceman Parker Alcos of Port Moody B.C., a third-round pick in the 2026 import draft and a seventh-round pick in 2028 to Kelowna for a first-round pick in the 2026 import draft, a third-round pick in 2026 and a second-round pick in 2027.

• Kelowna sends 18-year-old defenceman Will Sharpe of Delta, B.C., to Vancouver for overage forward Ty Halaburda of Victoria, a second-round pick in 2028 and a fourth-round pick in 2028.

WHL NOTEBOOK: 2018 deadline changed the WHL

By Perry Bergson 12 minute read Preview

WHL NOTEBOOK: 2018 deadline changed the WHL

By Perry Bergson 12 minute read Monday, Jan. 5, 2026

In part two of a look back at the last 10 trade deadlines for the Brandon Wheat Kings, the stretch from the regular season champions in 2014-15 to the non-playoff team in 2018-19 comes under the microscope.

The trade deadline hits on Thursday, so head coach and general manager Marty Murray has some interesting decisions to make this week. For clarity’s sake, the deadline period will be defined as any deal between the end of the Christmas break and the actual WHL deadline.

The most recent five seasons ran in last week’s edition of the WHL Notebook.

2018-19

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Monday, Jan. 5, 2026

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Luka Burzan (27) plays the puck with Lethbridge Hurricanes defenceman Tate Olson (4) right behind him during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals on March 11, 2018. Burzan was acquired from the Moose Jaw Warriors at the 2018 deadline in one of the biggest trades in team history. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

Blades sweep home-and-home with Wheaties

By Perry Bergson 4 minute read Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026

The Brandon Wheat Kings lost consecutive games for the first team in three months as the Saskatoon Blades swept a home-and-home series with a 5-1 victory in Western Hockey League action at SaskTel Centre on Saturday.

Roman Calvert scored two power-play goals and Ben Bowtell, Hunter Laing and Tyrone Sobry added singles for Saskatoon (21-14-2-1) in front of a crowd of 3,918. Brandon (22-14-1-0) received its lone goal from Joby Baumuller.

Saskatoon goalie Evan Gardner made 35 saves, two days after he stopped he stopped 34 shots in a 3-2 victory in Brandon on Thursday afternoon as the Blades moved into a tie for fourth place with Brandon with 45 points. Brandon has a game in hand.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said it was tough day at the office for his club.

Gardner, Blades edge Wheat Kings 3-2

Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

Gardner, Blades edge Wheat Kings 3-2

Perry Bergson 7 minute read Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026

The Brandon Wheat Kings, who have goaltending to thank for some recent victories, got a taste of their own medicine on Thursday afternoon as Evan Gardner made 34 saves in a 3-2 Saskatoon Blades victory in Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place.

Zach Olsen, Hunter Laing and Kazden Mathies scored for Saskatoon (20-14-2-1) with Brandon (22-13-1-0) receiving its goals from Caleb Hadland and Carter Klippenstein in front of a crowd of 3,078.

“We ran into a hot goalie, which happens sometimes,” Klippenstein said. “You have to find a way. The power play wasn’t really going. We had a lot of chances so we have to touch up on that and bring it to them in a couple of days.”

The teams meet again on Saturday evening in Saskatoon.

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Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026

Brandon Wheat Kings forward Carter Klippenstein watches as the puck flies over Saskatoon Blades goaltender Evan Gardner (35) and the net under the watchful eye of Saskatoon Blades forward Zach Olsen (9) during Western Hockey League action at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Thursday afternoon. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Jan. 1, 2026

Kraus, Wheat Kings blank Broncos 4-0

Perry Bergson 6 minute read Preview

Kraus, Wheat Kings blank Broncos 4-0

Perry Bergson 6 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025

Grayson Burzynski and Luke Mistelbacher each had a goal in their return to Swift Current as the Brandon Wheat Kings beat the Broncos 4-0 in Western Hockey League action at InnovationPlex on Tuesday.

Brandon (22-12-1-0) received its other goals from Joby Baumuller and Jaxon Jacobson in front of an announced crowd of 2,109.

Wheat Kings goalie Jayden Kraus made 23 saves for his second shutout of the season and the team's second in a row after Filip Ruzicka blanked the Moose Jaw Warriors 3-0 on Sunday.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said his team has come a long ways in their own end."The first month of the year was a nightmare," Murray said. "We were giving up five a night on average and it wasn't that enjoyable. It was a combination of our guys buying in more defensively — I still think we have a ways to go — and we've been getting solid goaltending. Our goalies have been really good throughout the month of December and are a big part of our success."

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Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025

WHL NOTEBOOK: Wheat Kings GMs face annual dilemma

By Perry Bergson 11 minute read Preview

WHL NOTEBOOK: Wheat Kings GMs face annual dilemma

By Perry Bergson 11 minute read Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

The Brandon Wheat Kings have had five general managers at the Western Hockey League trade deadline in the last decade — Kelly McCrimmon, Grant Armstrong, Darren Ritchie, Doug Gasper and now Marty Murray — and each has faced a difficult quandary.

How do you balance the needs of the current team and future clubs? It’s easy to spend, but a strategic approach to budgeting requires a strong degree of self-awareness and an understanding of when it’s time to buy and when it’s time to sell.

With that in mind and with the trade deadline nearing on Jan. 8, we’ll begin a look back at the last 10 trade deadlines, the situation the team found itself in, and how it decided to proceed. For clarity’s sake, the period will be defined as any deal between the end of the Christmas break and the actual WHL deadline.

The most recent five seasons will run in today’s edition of the WHL Notebook, with the next five appearing on Jan. 6.

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Monday, Dec. 29, 2025

January 15, 2026

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