Wheat Kings – Brandon Sun

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Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Will Katsilieris defends during a drill during practice at Assiniboine Credit Union Place on Thursday afternoon. The Wheat Kings open their pre-season this evening against the visiting Regina Pats. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)
Sept. 3, 2026

Katsilieris looks to jump to Wheat Kings

By Perry Bergson 6 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 2:10 AM CDT

Will Katsilieris may not have travelled the usual path to the Western Hockey League, but the Calgary defenceman is still nearing his destination with the Brandon Wheat Kings.

The six-foot-one, 191-pound blue-liner played under-15 AA in his draft year and then spent the next season with the U17 AAA Calgary Flames. In a league where the well-trod path veers through prep hockey or AAA in both U15 and U18, Katsilieris appeared to be on the outside looking in, but he never gave up a hope.

“I stayed optimistic,” Katsilieris said. “I know coming out of U15 AA I just tried my best to make U17 and made it happen. I was happy then and got listed and was in U18 the next year.”

The Wheat Kings open their four-game pre-season tonight at Assiniboine Credit Union Place against the Regina Pats.

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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 Preview

Wheaties cut down after competitive camp

By Perry Bergson 8 minute read Monday, Aug. 31, 2026

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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Monday, Aug. 31, 2026

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BWK CAMP: Saturday and Sunday’s scores

2 minute read Monday, Aug. 31, 2026

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.

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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 Monday, Aug. 31, 2026

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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Monday, Aug. 31, 2026

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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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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 5 minute read Preview

Mouille’s formula includes skill, physicality

By Perry Bergson 5 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

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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

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BWK CAMP: Friday’s intrasquad games

2 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.

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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

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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

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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

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BWK CAMP: Incoming rookies gained some experience

By Perry Bergson 5 minute read Preview

BWK CAMP: Incoming rookies gained some experience

By Perry Bergson 5 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

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BWK CAMP: Schedule

2 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

All events at Brandon Wheat Kings camp are at Assiniboine Credit Union Place, except for the Black and Gold game at J&G Homes Arena on Sunday evening.

THURSDAY

4 p.m. — Team Ferraro skate.

5 p.m. — Team Boschman skate.

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Jimmy Egan, left, competes for the puck with Axel Gleasman at Brandon Wheat Kings training camp at Assiniboine Credit Union Place a year ago. Egan is back for a second season in Brandon while Gleasman is hoping to join his older brother Gunnar in the lineup. Camp starts with practices on Thursday and intrasquad games on Friday and Saturday. The prospects game and annual Black and Gold game will be held Sunday. (Perry Bergson/The Brandon Sun)

BWK CAMP: Huge Wheat Kings camp begins Thursday

By Perry Bergson 9 minute read Preview

BWK CAMP: Huge Wheat Kings camp begins Thursday

By Perry Bergson 9 minute read Monday, Aug. 24, 2026

If the Brandon Wheat Kings have a giant “help wanted” sign posted outside the Keystone Centre, they’re about to get 85 applicants.

The Western Hockey League club’s training camp opens Thursday with the largest group in recent memory. With all those players available, the team is introducing a four-team tournament format this year, with the winner earning the Mark Johnston Cup, which is named after their late longtime scout.

The teams are named after Logan Thompson (in gray uniforms), Ryan Pulock (green), Laurie Boschman (yellow) and Ray Ferraro (black).

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said the changing hockey landscape has meant teams around the league are doing things differently.

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Monday, Aug. 24, 2026

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BWK CAMP: Overagers won’t bring much WHL experience

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Preview

BWK CAMP: Overagers won’t bring much WHL experience

By Perry Bergson 7 minute read Monday, Aug. 24, 2026

The Brandon Wheat Kings will set a dubious franchise record this season that involves the number 22 and reflects just how greatly the game has changed in the last two years.

That’s how many combined Western Hockey League regular season and playoff games their two 20-year-olds forwards Brett Wilson and Kristof Muissu, have going into this year.

Brandon head coach and general manager Marty Murray said it’s a sign of the impact the NCAA rule change has had on major junior hockey.

“It’s shifted, there’s no question about it,” Murray said. “A lot of those guys, the Caleb Hadlands and Jordan Gavins of the world, who start at 16 and play until they’re 20 year olds, I don’t think there are going to be too many of those guys around anymore. That’s just the way it is, it’s the new landscape of junior hockey.

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Monday, Aug. 24, 2026

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A group of former Brandon Wheat Kings gather at the Clear Lake Golf Course for a round last weekend. They are, in the back row from left to right, Ron Chipperfield (red jacket), Rick Piche, Ed Tkachyk, Frank Taylor (black sweater), John Paddock (sunglasses on hat), Clark Lang, Gord Cole. In the front row, it's Dale Anderson, Scott Hetherington, Kelly Greenbank (gray jacket), Ralph Krentz and Wayne Wilhelm. (Courtesy of the Brandon Wheat Kings)

Wheat Kings teammates remain tight

By Perry Bergson 9 minute read Preview

Wheat Kings teammates remain tight

By Perry Bergson 9 minute read Friday, Aug. 14, 2026

WASAGAMING — More than five decades after they played together, a group of former Brandon Wheat Kings has discovered the magic in some old friendships.

The players — Ron Chipperfield, John Paddock, Wayne Ramsey, Scott Hetherington, Wayne Wilhelm, Frank Taylor, Rick Piche, Ed Tkachyk, Kelly Greenbank, Ralph Krentz, Clark Lang, Dale Anderson and Gord Cole — were members of the 1972-73 and 1973-74 teams.

“In some ways, it’s a product of the good things that happened in COVID,” Paddock said. “When I was sick and in the hospital for 37 days, Chip was driving my wife crazy. He said ‘I’m coming.’ We had seen each other a little bit in Vancouver, but that speaks to the importance that we all feel now.

“Two years ago, Greener lost his wife and that shook us all big time, and it was like that. There’s just a lot of caring there for people and it’s getting closer all the time. As we age, we know we don’t have a lot of years left.”

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Friday, Aug. 14, 2026

September 5, 2026

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