NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Brandon Wheat Kings

Wheat Kings Set To Make History

April 28, 2014 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, MB. - When Brandon Wheat Kings general manager and head coach Kelly McCrimmon steps up to the podium Thursday morning in Calgary to announce the first overall selection in the 2014 Western Hockey League Bantam Draft, he will be making franchise history.

Since the WHL introduced the bantam draft in the spring of 1990, the Wheat Kings have had twelve top ten selections but at no time have they owned the first pick overall. The closest to that came over twenty years ago when Brandon had the second selection in 1991, '92 and '93.

After taking Bobby Brown in the first round (4th overall) in the league's inaugural draft, the Wheat Kings opted for Winnipeg's Colin Cloutier and Mike Dubinsky of Sherwood Park 2nd and 7th overall in '91.

The following year, Brandon took Wade Redden of Hillmond, Saskatchewan with the second overall pick and then drafted a pair of Winnipeggers - Justin Kurtz and Joel Korenko 6th and 7th respectively.

In '92, the Wheat Kings chose Edmonton's Darren Van Oene with the second pick and the former Alberta AAA Midget League star later became the team's captain.

Van Oene wound up playing four years in Brandon, scoring 59 goals and 141 points and was chosen by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round (33rd overall) in the 1996 National Hockey League Entry Draft.

He was one of several Wheat Kings to play in back to back Memorial Cups, joining Redden and Kurtz. After losing out to Host Kamloops in the '95 Championship, the Wheat Kings defeated Spokane four games to one to capture their second league title in '96 and earning a trip to the National Finals in Peterborough, Ontario.

Chosen by the Winnipeg Jets in the fourth round (84th overall) in the '95 NHL Draft, Kurtz remains one of the Wheat Kings highest scoring blueliners having scored 54 goals and 200 points during his WHL career. After graduating from the Wheat Kings, he has gone on to play in the International Hockey League, the American Hockey League as well as several seasons in Europe.

Redden meanwhile was the second player taken in the '95 draft, going to the New York Islanders before being moved to Ottawa. A former New York Ranger, St. Louis Blues and Boston Bruin, the Hillmond, Saskatchewan product went on to play in 1023 NHL games, scoring 457 points including 109 goals. In three years with Brandon, he scored 27 goals and 153 points and was named WHL Rookie of the Year in 1994.

Since 1994, the Wheat Kings have had just five top ten picks as the club developed into one of the winningest franchises in the WHL.

In addition to landing highly touted Nolan Patrick and Kale Clague 4th and 6th overall last year, the Wheat Kings have used their top pick to grab Eric Fehr (5th overall; 2000), Jeff Topilko (9th overall; 2001) and Brayden Schenn (9th overall; 2006). While Schenn and Fehr have become productive National Hockey League players with Philadelphia and Washington respectively, Topilko went on to play five seasons in Brandon.

Currently one of four Wheat Kings still participating in the Stanley Cup playoffs as a member of the Philadelphia Flyers, Schenn was originally chosen by Los Angeles (5th overall) in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft. In 192 NHL games, the Saskatoon native has scored 40 goals and 87 points. As a Wheat King, Brayden averaged well over a point per game with 95 goals and 262 points in 197 games.

Like Schenn, Fehr was also taken in the first round of the NHL draft, going 18th overall to the Washington Capitals in 2003. A former WHL Player of the Year, Fehr has scored 70 goals and 144 points in 379 NHL games, after scoring 146 goals and 277 points during his Western League career.

Among Brandon's other first round picks over the years have included the likes of Braylon Shmyr (12th overall; 2012), Kord Pankewicz (11th overall; 2011) and netminder Jordan Papirny (22nd overall; 2011). All three are current members of the WHL club.

Of Brandon's twenty-nine first round selections - twelve have come from Alberta - including four each from Calgary and Edmonton. Saskatchewan and Manitoba have produced eight first round selections each, including six from the city of Winnipeg. Only one from the province of British Columbia has been taken in round one.

Following is a complete list of the Wheat Kings 1st round Selections since the league introduced the draft in 1990.

1990 Bobby Brown 4th

1991 Colin Cloutier 2nd

Mike Dubinsky 7th

1992 Wade Redden 2nd

Justin Kurtz 6th

Joel Korenko 7th

1993 Darren Van Oene 2nd

1994 David Darguzas 11th

Josh Woitas 13th

1995 Aaron Goldade 16th

1996 Wade Skolney 18th

1997 Mike Wirll 16th

1998 Brett Dickie 15th

1999 Tim Konsorada 13th

2000 Eric Fehr 5th

2001 Jeff Topilko 9th

2002 Codey Burki 17th

2003 Michael Cann 18th

2004 Keith Aulie 11th

2005 Sanfred King 17th

2006 Brayden Schenn 9th

2007 Brandon Regier 17th

2008 Klarc Wilson 13th

2009 Eric Roy 18th

2010 DID NOT HAVE ONE

2011 Kord Pankewicz 11th

Jordan Papirny 22nd

2012 Braylon Shmyr 12th

2013 Nolan Patrick 4th

Kale Clague 6th

Among those expected to hear their named called early Thursday morning are Jordy Bellerive, Max Gildon, Nolan Kneen, Stelio Mattheos and Justin Almeida.

Check out the Brandon Wheat Kings Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...

Western Hockey League Stories from April 28, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Brandon Wheat Kings Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central