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WHL Brandon Wheat Kings

DeSpouza Shakes off Travel Troubles, Eager to Begin in Brandon

December 4, 2023 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Brandon Wheat Kings News Release


When Jackson DeSouza got the call that he'd been traded to the Brandon Wheat Kings, he could hardly wait to join his new team. The only problem was getting there.

After being acquired from the Kelowna Rockets in exchange for fellow 2003-born defenseman Kayden Sadhra-Kang, DeSouza planned to jump on a flight and be in Brandon in time for the very next game, the December 1 romp over the Regina Pats. His travel arrangements forced a change of plans, however.

"Once I got the call I was really excited to get here and knowing that we played the next day I was excited to get into the lineup," DeSouza said. "Unfortunately due to flying and all that stuff, I was stuck in Calgary. Fortunately, I had some family up there so I stayed the night there."

DeSouza ended up watching what would have been his first game with the new team online, then completed his journey the next day. But the early travel hiccups haven't dampened his excitement at joining a new team in the Wheat Kings.

"I know a couple of the guys," he said. "I knew (Nate Danielson) from when we roomed together in Detroit. And obviously, (Nolan Flamand) from when I was in Kelowna. I'm really excited to see those guys."

The Wheat Kings are excited to have him too. The hope is that the experienced, hard-nosed blueliner (who stands 6-foot-5) will be difficult for opposing teams to play against and will make their life harder in the corners and in front of the net.

"We brought him in here to be a good, solid, defensive defenseman and be hard to play against," said Wheat Kings head coach and GM Marty Murray. "He's been around the league a long time and he knows what he is."

Asked for a scouting report of his own game, DeSouza gave the kind of answer that both Murray and Wheat Kings fans would want to hear.

"I'm a big, shutdown, stay-at-home defenseman," said DeSouza. "I have a big shot from the blue line and I like to take away time and space and box out, and really do the little things that not a lot of people see but you need them."

DeSouza is slated to make his Wheat Kings debut on Tuesday, December 5 when the Wheat Kings host the Red Deer Rebels. Grab your tickets HERE.

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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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