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WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

12 Wheat King Graduates Set to Open NHL Season

October 3, 2018 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


Brandon, MB. - When the 2018-19 National Hockey League season kicks off this week there will be a total of twelve Brandon Wheat King Alumni on opening day rosters.

The Philadelphia Flyers have two former Wheat Kings on their opening night rosters while Minnesota, Colorado, Carolina, St. Louis, Winnipeg, Vegas, New Jersey, Ottawa, Calgary and the New York Islanders have one each.

Four games help to bring the curtain up on the new season on Wednesday, including Travis Hamonic and the Flames in Vancouver to meet the Canucks.

Elsewhere Montreal is in Toronto, the Anaheim Ducks travel to San Jose and the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Washington Capitals host Boston.

Ten games occupy Thursday's busy schedule including Dustin Byfuglien and the Winnipeg Jets in St. Louis to meet Brayden Schenn and the Blues.

Schenn and Byfuflien are two of ten former Wheat Kings in action on Thursday.

In other action, Eric Fehr and the Minnesota Wild travel to Denver to meet Matt Calvert and the Colorado Avalanche, Mark Stone and the Ottawa Senators host Chicago, Michael Ferland and the Carolina Hurricanes take on Ryan Pulock and the New York Islanders and in a game that will feature three ex-Wheat Kings, the defending Western Conference Champion Golden Knights will take on the Philadelphia Flyers in Las Vegas.

While the newly signed Ryan Reaves skates with the Knights, former Western Hockey League All Stars Ivan Provorov and Nolan Patrick will be lining up with the Flyers.

Provorov (2015) and Patrick (2017) are two of six former first round draft picks of the Wheat Kings in the NHL, joining Fehr (2003), Pulock (2013) John Quenneville (2014) and Schenn (2009).

A former WHL Playoff Most Valuable Player, Patrick was the second player chosen in last year's NHL Draft, matching Wade Redden as the highest drafted Wheat King in franchise history.

Of the twelve former players, Provorov (2014-15, 2015-16), Pulock (2011-12, 2013-14) and Stone (2010-11, 2011-12) are 2-time WHL Eastern Conference 1st Team All Stars while Fehr (2004-05) and Schenn (@009-10) were selected once.

Elsewhere Thursday night - Nashville travels to New York to play the Rangers, Buffalo entertains the Bruins, Columbus is in Detroit, Pittsburgh hosts the Capitals and Arizona will be in Dallas to meet the Stars.

Meanwhile Quenneville begins the year with New Jersey and the Devils play their first game on Saturday afternoon against the visiting Edmonton Oilers.

A total of 142 WHL graduates began last season in the NHL.

As for the Wheat Kings, they'll be on the road Thanksgiving weekend for back to back games in Moose Jaw and Regina on Friday and Saturday nights.

Brandon's next home game is Friday, October 12th against the Warriors in what will be the first of a 5-game home stand. The Wheat Kings are currently 3-0 on the season

Tickets to all of Brandon's remaining home games are on sale now at the Keystone Centre box office, by calling (204) 726-3555 or online at keystonecentre.com.

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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.

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