WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

#1 Ranked Seattle Thunderbirds Pay a Visit

January 10, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


The Wheat Kings host the #1 ranked team in the whole CHL the Seattle Thunderbirds. 4 out of the 5 Team Canada World Junior Gold Medalists are expected to dress.

Catch the action beginning at 7:00pm from Westoba Place. Doors open at 6:00pm.

2022/2023 Wheat Kings Regular Season Record: 16-18-4-0 Home: 7-9-2-0 Road: 9-9-2-0

Head Coach: Marty Murray | 8-3-2-0 WHL (Reg Season) games coached |

All-Time Record: 8-3-2-0 | Playoff Record: 0-0

REGULAR SEASON STATS LEADERS:

Goals (21) - Brett Hyland Assists (29) - Nate Danielson

Points (49) - Nate Danielson PIMS (93) - Matt Henry (Leads WHL)

Plus/Minus (9) - Brett Hyland Shots (136) - Nate Danielson

Wins (14) - Carson Bjarnason Shutouts (2) -Carson Bjarnason

Save % (.910) - Carson Bjarnason Goals Against Average (2.92) - Carson Bjarnason

NEWS & NOTES:

Last Game: After picking up a big win last Friday night at home versus the Portland Winterhawks, the Wheat Kings had to pack the bus and commute over 7 hours to Prince Albert to take on the Raiders. The Raiders got off to a hot start Saturday night forcing the Wheat Kings to chase the game. Raiders would end up with a 6-2 victory. Nate Danielson was a shining light once again scoring a goal and adding an assist in the loss. Danielson combined for 5 points in two games last weekend.

Jan 10th VS Seattle: The Wheat Kings return home to host the number one Club in the Canadian Hockey League, the Seattle Thunderbirds. The last time these two clubs met was October 2019 when the Wheat Kings defeated the TBirds 3-2 in overtime. Only players on both rosters combined today: Jake Chiasson, Nolan Ritchie, Lucas Ciona & Jared Davidson. The Wheat Kings have had success in Brandon when they host the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Wheat Kings last regular season loss against Seattle inside Westoba Place was November 2014.

Battle Between the Pipes: Tonight could see a battle of the Top Draft eligible goaltending Prospects in the WHL. Carson Bjarnason is expected to get the start between the pipes and he could go head to head against Thunderbirds Scott Ratzlaff. Both Bjarnason and Ratzlaff will play in the Kubota CHL Top Prospects Game in Langley on the 25th of January. Bjarnason & Ratzlaff were teammates on the 2022 Hlinka Cup Team Canada squad. NHL Central Scouting gave Bjarnason an "A" rating and Ratzlaff a "B" rating ahead of the 2023 NHL Draft.

That's Golden: The Seattle Thunderbirds are expecting to have a Team Canada presence Tuesday night with Kevin Korchinski, Nolan Allan, Reid Schaefer & Thomas Milic all expected to suit up. The Thunderbirds recently acquired Colton Dach from the Kelowna Rockets but Dach will be out of the lineup with an upper body injury.

Blue Line Swap: Wheat Kings dealt defender Mason Ward to the Swift Current Broncos, in exchange for blue liner Kayden Sadhra-Kang. Ward, 20, was acquired in May 2021 as a part of a deal that involved goaltender Conor Ungar going to the Red Deer Rebels back in May 2021. The Lloyminster, AB native played 24 games in the black and gold, picking up 10 goals and 14 assists in 66 games played. Sadhra-Kang, 19, was originally drafted by the Lethbridge Hurricanes in the 9th round of the 2018 WHL Prospects draft and later dealt to the Swift Current Broncos in October 2021. The Richmond, BC native currently has 1 goal and 9 assists this season. Sadhra-Kang brings some size to the Wheat Kings lineup at 6'4, 202 lbs.

Who's Hot: Brett Hyland currently has 14 goals scored in his last 13 games. Forward Nate Danielson has been stellar as of late scoring 34 points in his last 21 games. Nolan Ritchie has 23 points in his last 17 games. Calder Anderson has 16 points in his last 11 games.

NOTABLE INDIVIDUAL PLAYER STATS

Nate Danielson: Tied for 3rd in the League Lead with (3) Shorthanded Goals

Carson Bjarnason: 4th the WHL with total saves (793)

Matthew Henry: 1st in the WHL with 93 PIMS

STEALS OF THE NIGHT

Just a reminder that our Family Pack is still available for the remainder of the 2022/23 season, which includes 2 adult & 2 kids tickets for only $50.

Check out the Brandon Wheat Kings Statistics



Western Hockey League Stories from January 10, 2023


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