WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

Dingman To Attend The Opener

Published on May 8, 2010 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, Manitoba -- One of only two former Wheat King captains to hoist the Western Hockey League Championship Trophy will be back in Brandon next weekend to participate in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 MasterCard Memorial Cup.

Chris Dingman was captain of the 1996 club that defeated Spokane four games to one in the best of seven Championship Final and the local Memorial Cup Host Organizing Committee is pleased to announce that "Dinger" will perform the Ceremonial Opening Faceoff on Friday, May 14th when the Wheat Kings kick off the 11-day Championship against the defending Champion Windsor Spitfires.

A former first round draft choice of the National Hockey League's Calgary Flames (19th overall selection in 1994), Dingman played four seasons in Brandon and was a member of two Memorial Cup teams. In addition to winning the league Championship and attending the '96 Cup in Peterborough, Ontario, he was a member of the '94-95 Wheat King team - that featured the likes of Wade Redden, Marty Murray and Bryan McCabe - that attended the Memorial Cup in Kamloops, B.C.

In four seasons with the Wheat Kings, the Edmonton product scored 87 goals and 196 points in 201 career games, while accumulating 451 minutes in penalties. In addition, he scored thirteen goals and 31 points in 39 playoff games.

His best season in the WHL was 1994-95 when he scored forty goals and 83 points in 66 games.

In the NHL, Dingman played for four teams. In addition to the Flames, he suited up for the Colorado Avalanche, the Carolina Hurricanes and Tampa Bay Lightning. During his NHL career, he played in 385 regular season and 52 playoff games and helped two teams - the 2001 Avalanche and 2004 Lightning - capture the Stanley Cup.

Dingman becomes the second former Wheat King to be confirmed for the upcoming MasterCard Memorial Cup. Former Wheat King and Spokane Chief goalkeeper Trevor Kidd will be at CFB Shilo on Thursday, May 13th for a special Rededication Ceremony.

More ex-Wheat Kings are expected to attend the 4-team Championship that will feature the Host Wheat Kings as well as winners of the Western Hockey League (Calgary Hitmen), Ontario Hockey League (Spitfires) and Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

The Championship, which is scheduled for May 14-23rd, marks the first time since the Memorial Cup became a Tournament format over thirty years ago that the Province of Manitoba has hosted this prestigious event.

A limited number of Assigned Standing Room Only Ticket Packages are available and can be purchased by calling the Wheat Kings' office at 726-3535.

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